$75K matching gift fuels Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Upstate SC

Hurricane Relief Donations from BlackRock, Duke Energy, and Mary Black Foundations

With severe impact from Hurricane Helene in Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties, United Way of the Piedmont launched the United for All Fund earlier this week to respond. This fund provides immediate relief to families most affected by the hurricane, leveraging individual and foundation gifts to rapidly meet needs.

Thanks in part to three significant gifts from the BlackRock Foundation, Duke Energy Foundation, and the Mary Black Foundation, the United for All Fund is poised to make a significant difference in the lives of local families. These foundation gifts ensure that we can offer essential services such as shelter, food, and financial assistance during this urgent time.

The BlackRock Foundation, Duke Energy Foundation, and Mary Black Foundation have each contributed $25,000, creating a $75,000 matching gift for the United for All Fund. This means every dollar donated will be doubled to help families affected by Hurricane Helene.

Claire Chamberlain, President of the BlackRock Foundation, said, “Our hearts go out to all who have been impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The BlackRock Foundation is committed to joining efforts with the United Way of Piedmont and the United for All fund to support residents of Spartanburg and surrounding communities in this time of immense need.”

United for All support is making these efforts possible:

• Safe Places: Helping families, like a local couple whose home was damaged, secure temporary housing through Airbnb.
• Access to Resources: Responding to requests for assistance
• Clearing Debris: Coordinating chainsaw crews to clear private properties, making them safe for families to begin repairs.
• Providing Essentials: Launching drives to get food, water, and other essential supplies into the hands of those who need them.

For information on how to donate to or find hurricane relief resources, visit www.uwpiedmont.org/unitedforall.

About United Way of the Piedmont

“United Way of the Piedmont is a local nonprofit that strengthens educational opportunity, economic mobility, and access to healthcare for families in Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties. We convene partners and mobilize resources to carry out our mission to connect, engage, and inspire people to transform our community. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive, and that means everyone. Learn more at www.uwpiedmont.org.”