Hurricane Helene and Milton Volunteer Opportunities

Local and State Directory

Hurricanes Helene and Milton damaged a large swath of America, including Florida. Multiple local, national, and international organizations are on the ground working for cleanup, recovery, feeding, and building back communities. Volunteers are needed in various locations. Self-deploy is not usually needed, please work with an organization already on the ground.

If you cannot help physically, monetary donations to fund outreach initiatives are always needed. Most organizations do not have extra storage for physical donations, money directly to the organizations will go further to help. Of course, please check with the organizations via phone or website to see what they need at any given time. In disasters, legitimate needs override all.

If you are affected in Florida, assistance to state resources can be found via Volunteer Florida’s information page (including crisis cleanup, legal aid, FEMA, and long-term assistance.

Organizations for Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Florida - a part of AmeriCorps, receives some funding from Federal and State Grants. It is in charge of the state-level volunteers helping after hurricanes. They are accepting cash donations (tax deductible and credit card fee waived) and volunteers for multiple positions and locations.

Second Harvest of the Big Bend - They need monetary donations as well as volunteers. You can volunteer as an individual or as a group.

World Central Kitchen - They are already in Florida and volunteers are needed. WCK is also in Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee. They also operate internationally. To volunteer, fill out the form and see if you can be matched to a kitchen. Monetary donations are welcome.

Volunteer Leon - the website for Leon County’s Volunteer Opportunities. To Volunteer for their disaster team or to donate to the group, please fill out the form on the website. For other volunteer opportunities throughout the county, see linked.

FEMA (The Federal Emergency Management Agency) - The National-led agency is on the ground in several states. They offer assistance to individuals impacted by disasters. There is short-term and long-term aid. Additional funds for long-term aid and the rest of the season may be allocated when Congress returns to session. Information for those affected by Hurricane Milton (general), Hurricane Milton (Florida), and Hurricane Helene are linked. Unfortunately, easily disproven rumors have been claimed about FEMA and are abounding amongst some people so there is now a page detailing more information to combat falsehoods. As a government agency, their financials are located on their website. FEMA has a list of places to donate and organizations to volunteer with.

The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters - A directory and connection tool to organizations that operate in any disaster area in the United States and International States.

The United Way of the Big Bend - They’re hosting a disaster supply drive through October 18, 2024. They also take donations are welcome more volunteers.

Legal Aid of Florida - Volunteer lawyers and legal representatives are needed to help with caseloads in affected areas. The Florida Bar has sent out a request via their website.

Samaritan’s Purse - Working in areas affected by both hurricanes, they are accepting donations and volunteers in several locations.

American Red Cross - They are accepting donations (tax-deductible) and volunteers. Volunteers are most needed in their disaster action teams, shelter volunteers, health services, and blood donations/transportation. Locally, youth/collegiate opportunities and IT services are also needed. The local North Florida Red Cross website is linked.

OneBlood - Blood donation after a disaster helps hospitals serve those affected. Often blood and platelets become in short supply after hurricanes. OneBlood has a donation center off Riggins Road and mobile buses that are located around the city doing blood drives. Other blood centers in Florida can be found via this map.

Habitat for Humanity - Special disaster teams, the Disaster Corps and the Disaster Rebuild Team, are operational. Monetary donations are also needed.

Team Rubicon - A national and international group started in California for veterans is in the area to provide hurricane relief. They accept monetary donations and volunteers. To join them, fill out the profile on their website. They will connect you to opportunities from there.

Volunteer Match - a volunteer recruiting website where organizations list opportunities.

All Hands and Hearts - They accept monetary donations and have a volunteer portal for Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. To join, fill out the form and wait to be contacted.

The ranch providing mules to disaster areas (mostly in North Carolina) is called Mountain Mule Packer Ranch. They do have a Venmo if you want to donate to them. Their Facebook account, where you can follow their work is also available.