Bakersville N.C. Firefighters Hurricane Helene Fund

During the early morning hours that Hurricane Helene swept through the mountains of North Carolina, most residents of Mitchell County hunkered down in their homes, determined to ride out the storm. The last time a storm of this magnitude was seen in the Appalachian Mountains was 1916 and brought near apocalyptic conditions to the area.

Despite the dangerous winds, the pelting rain, and the constant threat of flash floods and landslides, the brave men and women of the Bakersville Fire Department quietly kissed their children as they slept, hugged their wives and husbands, put on their raincoats and boots, and slipped into the dark tempest that was Helene. A few of these firefighters would never see what they had come to call “home” again.

Our members are volunteers, and while keeping up with the requirements of being both NC Firefighters and Rescue personnel, they somehow also maintain full-time jobs and families. During the hurricane and afterwards, they have remained steadfast in their duties, conducting search and rescue efforts, making sure roads are cleared enough to get fire trucks through, and helping with town operations, forsaking their personal belongings for the greater good of Bakersville.

I am a firefighter with the department who didn't suffer any damage, but I'm hoping to help my brothers. This fund is to help facilitate the first steps in rebuilding their homes. Some work long hours and go to sleep in a home with a tree through the roof. Some can’t go home at all because the river has washed away the foundations, and a few can’t even find their home at all.

Insurance claims can be made one day, and homes can be rebuilt, but with no adequate communication to the outside world and a town to rebuild, it will take months before this can occur. We can help these firemen now by raising the money needed to make repairs and shore up their homes. Any amount is appreciated, and we ask that you don’t put yourself in any financial burden by donating. Thank you, and for all of those affected by this 100-year storm, we keep you in our thoughts and prayers as we all navigate this tumultuous time together.

All donations will be turned over to the Bakersville Fire Dept. board to best asses where and how they will be applied in order to help our fire fighters in need.

Bakersville Fire Department

Requirements for GoFund Me:

-The name of the person who will be withdrawing the funds from GoFundMe.

Once the funds are transferred into our bank account, Matt Staton, our fire chief will be the one to withdrawal funds.

-How funds will be spent

The funds will be spent on Station 3 fire fighters in need of help with Hurricane Damage and equipment destroyed in during the hurricane and in the search and rescue efforts.

-Delivery plan to the beneficiaries (provide names if available)

Equipment replacement will be a reimbursement based on receipts from our fire fighters.

Large projects for Fire Fighters homes damaged in the storm will be approved by our board members to ensure an equitable distribution of these donations. These will be in the form of checks issued by the Fire Department.

More Demands by Go Fund Me. We must show you the entire flow of the donations despite being explained above.

You as the donor have donated to this fundraiser on the Go Fund Me page. The fund are held by Go fund me until we set up our account for transfer. The funds are then sent to our bank account. For those of you who don't know and because Go Fund me is holding our donations captive until we disclose every single detail about our department, Station 3 is part of Mitchell County. Mitchell County of broken down into several fire districts, each with a station. Our District is called the Rhododendron Fire District and our Station is located in the Town of Bakersville so we are Rhododendron Fire Department. You all will know us commonly as the Bakersville Fire Department. When we finally have access to these funds, our Chief Matt Staton will then work with our board to get them dispersed to our fire fighters in need.