Olympic bronze medallist Evy Leibfarth has called for support towards the Hurricane Helene relief efforts after it devastated her hometown.
The American Canoe Slalom paddler, who is from North Carolina, said it had been “heartbreaking” to see the damage sustained across the region after the hurricane hit in late September.
Hurricane Helene ripped through the state of North Carolina and other parts of Southeastern United States causing widespread destruction.
The American Canoe Association (ACA) described the region as a “hub” for paddlers and a “great part” of the paddling community with volunteers, instructors, staff and Board members greatly affected by the hurricane.
Leibfarth, a two-time Olympian who claimed bronze in the women’s canoe at Paris 2024, is among those that has been impacted.
“It’s heartbreaking to see my hometown and the beautiful rivers that I grew up paddling on so devastated by Hurricane Helene,” Leibfarth told the ACA.
“The flooding is really bad in so many small mountain towns, leaving many people unable to contact family or get help.
“These communities need all the love and support we can give right now.
“Please keep them in your thoughts and, if you’re able, lend a hand to help them recover from this devastation.”
Recovery efforts are still underway in North Carolina as many small mountain towns are cut off from resources and communication and are in need of aid.
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“Local paddlers have banded together to offer support to their communities,” a statement from the ACA read.
“If you are able to support, below is a working list of ways that you can help.
“We ask that you please do not put yourself in danger as you attempt to aid others.”
How to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts
- The FBRA Salamander Fund – All Funds Going to Hurricane Relief Efforts.
- The French Broad River Academy, a transformative middle school experience that employs ACA instructors, is directing all donations to their Salamander Fund to Hurricane Helene Western North Carolina, which is providing resources and support to small communities in Western North Carolina.
- Hurricane Helene Western North Carolina relief efforts include opportunities to request aid (including supplies, wellness checks, etc.), to volunteer, to donate supplies or funds to support the people and small communities in Western North Carolina that haven’t received aid.
- Donate to the FBRA Salamander Fund or directly to Hurricane Helene Western North Carolina
- Riverfolk Rescue
- When Hurricane Helene began to drop massive amounts of water in Appalachia, the whitewater paddling community was one of the first to realise that the scale of this disaster would exceed expectations. Riverfolk Rescue has committed themselves to providing lasting relief, rescue, and recovery for areas of Appalachia that are not already served by the folks at hurricanehelenewnc.com
- Request help, give help, and donate at https://riverfolkrescue.com/
