With $1 Million in Support Raised So Far, Rebuilding Will Continue Through 2026.

On September 27, Hurricane Helene struck the southeastern US with devastating force causing catastrophic damage to homes, businesses, and communities. Immediately after the storm, IOCC field staff were on the ground conducting assessments to determine the most effective means of response.

As initial recovery work was underway in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida, tragically, less than two weeks later, Milton, a category 3 hurricane, made landfall in Florida causing storm surges, flooding, and tornados.

IOCC was able to quickly expand its response to the areas affected by Milton. To date, staff and volunteers have spent over 1,100 hours cleaning up and mucking out homes, as IOCC Frontliners provided emotional and spiritual care to survivors, including to the Orthodox parish communities. IOCC also sent over 100 clean-up buckets to partners in Florida for additional help.

Cleanup and muck-out work will continue through March, at which point efforts shift to long-term recovery activities including home repairs, rebuilding, and continuing emotional care. As with most crises, emergency response is critical, but recovery requires extended commitment — and thanks to generous donor support, IOCC will be able to provide that assistance.

IOCC recently announced that it had met its initial $1 million fundraising goal. US Country Representative Archdeacon Paul Zaharas shared, “The funds provided by IOCC’s donors make our recovery work possible, and give momentum to the ongoing hurricane relief efforts, which we’ve projected into 2026.”

Though an impressive benchmark has been reached, IOCC’s fundraising efforts continue so that more individuals and families may receive the help they truly need. Those wishing to aid in this effort, either through donation or volunteering, are welcome to visit iocc.org/hurricanes24 for more information.