In the wake of Hurricane Helene, many of our friends and supporters have reached out to ask about Muddy Sneakers’ next steps and how we are responding to the storm’s impact on our communities. We are grateful for your concern and wanted to take a moment to share our priorities as we navigate this difficult time together.
With many of our partner schools, sites, and communities located in the areas most impacted by the storm, we wanted to share how we’re responding and where our current priorities lie:
OUR STAFF
The well-being of our team members is our first priority. We are relieved to report that all Muddy Sneakers staff have safely weathered the storm, and we are committed to supporting them in the days ahead. We are ensuring that their wages are covered despite the lack of programs in the near future. We’re also coordinating with WNC staff to transport food, water, and supplies to the team and beyond, including the use of our large vans (as allowed). If you’d like to support this effort, please let us know.
OUR SCHOOLS & STUDENTS
We are actively seeking ways to assist our school communities, whether through hands-on support or by leveraging our resources to contribute to the rebuilding process. Moreover, we are in close contact with our school partners (as possible), working alongside teachers and administrators to offer flexible solutions such as adjusting program schedules and locations or providing virtual alternatives where necessary. Please stay tuned for updates.
OUR SITE PARTNERS
We are reaching out to our site partners to assess their needs and explore how we can assist with cleanup and recovery efforts. Together, we will work to restore the spaces where our students learn and grow.
CONTINUING SUPPORT
We are committed to continuing our services for schools across the state that are operating as normal, while also working to restore programming in the mountains as quickly as possible. Because of the vital role fundraising plays in making our work possible, we are extending our Take a Hike hike-a-thon fundraiser through the end of November, providing more time for participants to help us meet the needs of our students and teachers across the state. Thank you for your support.
Finally, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your ongoing support during these challenging times. It is because of you—our friends and partners—that we are able to continue our mission and stand by those who need it most right now.
