As the storm waters recede and our beloved Carolinas work toward repairing and rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Florence, the undeniable Carolina spirit of kindness, hospitality, and resilience is palpable. Everyone wants to help pick their neighbors up in whatever small (or big) way they can. Apart from the usual places to turn to to provide support during these tragedies like The Red Cross, The Foundation for the Carolinas, The Salvation Army, and food banks in the areas that were flooded (and Scoop urges you to support these charities, especially now), there are other less obvious places where you can offer your support. We’ve rounded these up for you in the list below- please do add any that we missed in the comments section below!
The “I’m a Brad FANovich” tee shirts: Our local NBC station’s Chief Meteorologist, Brad Panovich, has been predicting weather in the Carolinas for years and building quite the fan club along the way. An inside joke turn tee shirt slogan is now raising hurricane relief funds through shirt sales and the brains behind the shirt are donating 100% of the proceeds directly to hurricane relief efforts. Choose between 2 styles: “The Three Brads” and “I’m a FANovich”. Shipping and local pick-up from Be Yoga Dilworth, Kinetic Heights, and Cupcrazed Baxter Village is available after 2-3 weeks of processing. Sales run through September 28th. Grab a shirt and make sure to snap a selfie using the hashtag #imafanovich (and of course @scoopcharlotte)!
CAREolinas tee shirt: With the powerful message of being a good neighbor, this organizations slogan is “We share more than a state line.” 100% of the proceeds from each shirt sale goes directly to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund and One SC Fund to aid in hurricane recovery efforts.
Palmetto Shirt’s ONE Carolina tee shirt and decal: All proceeds from the sale of ONE Carolina products will go to Habitat for Humanity to help Carolinians rebuild.
Simply Southern’s tee shirt: Sporting the slogan “Together We Will Rise from the Waters,” this shirt also comes in youth sizes. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these shirts will go to The American Red Cross.
Southernology’s tee shirt: As the coast prepares to manage the impacts of Hurricane Florence, this previous design was re-released for pre-order. Join Southernology in supporting Samaritan’s Purse by purchasing this Carolina Strong shirt.
Hornets Carolina Strong tee shirts: With net proceeds benefiting The Foundation for the Carolinas, our Hornets really came through for their fans, friends, and families with this generous gesture.
The Home Tee’s tee shirts: In “Love Carolina” and “Carolina Strong” styles, the local Charlotte company raised $15,000 for relief efforts from the sales of these shirts. Although they are no longer raising funds for hurricane relief, 10% of all of their sales always go to MS research.
Sophia Bush and friends’ Love NC tee shirt: Because every fashionista knows that options are important, you can choose from 4 styles in this adorable “Love NC” tee. 100% of profits will go to Random Acts to support Hurricane Florence relief.
Edge of Urge tee shirt: In both a “North Freakin’ Carolina” style as well as a less church-appropriate version, Edge of Urge is donating profits to Nourish NC to help feed hungry children, especially those hit hard by Florence.
Swahili Coast products: Wilmington-based with a global conscience, Swahili Coast is the result of the founders’ mission to connect the artistry and talents of East African Artisans to global markets using principles of fairness, dignity, and respect by creating lasting partnerships. They sell beautiful sandals (that you might recognize from their partnership with Athropologie), bags, jewelry, and Kenyan towels from their partners and suffered a tremendous loss to their store near the Wilmington riverfront. In the spirit of helping people that help people, Swahili Coast should be your first stop for unique gifting options as they rebuild.
HALF UNITED products: A charitable, ethical fashion brand where every accessory and piece of apparel sold usually provides 7 meals for children in need with the cost of those meals built into your purchase. For the foreseeable future, HALF UNITED will be donating all of their giving funds to fill the needs of the people of Wilmington.
Vestique donation matching and online sales: Your favorite local affordable boutique is matching donations at their register up to $5,000 and 10% of all online sales will be donated to The United Way of the Cape Fear Area.
Sassie Rocks I HEART North Carolina bracelet: The I HEART NORTH CAROLINA bangle is dedicated to helping our state in the recovery after Hurricane Florence. 100% of proceeds from the sales will go directly to the NC Disaster Relief Fund. Each piece is handcrafted in coastal North Carolina.
Twine and Twig’s Carolina Strong Trio Stack Bracelet Set: Designed with globally sourced beads, this bracelet set helps folks here at home by donating proceeds to help those effected by Florence.
Katy Mimm’s sticker: This graphic designer/do-gooder restocked these beautiful decals after an overwhelming response and subsequent sell-out after the storm. A portion of sales will go to hurricane relief efforts.
View this post on Instagram
@kimgrahamphoto’s prints: 100% of this artist’s print sales will go to the American Red Cross in support of hurricane Florence victims through the end of the month.
@nestedphotography’s NC-based photography prints:
@graceseavisuals’s photography prints:
Although wearing your heart on your sleeve by rocking a tee showing you support the people in your state when they need you is awesome, there are also opportunities to give back in other ways, namely more traditional donation drives.
UNCW Campus Emergency Fund: The Campus Emergency Fund provides financial assistance to UNCW students personally affected by natural disasters. A UNCW student also started “WeWilmRebuild” to collect needed items for those effected by Florence and will start delivering items to Wilmington rescue organizations next week. They’ll keep the drop off locations until they’re no longer needed.
Clean Juice is accepting donations to give back to those affected by Hurricane Florence through the weekend. Giving each guest that walks through their doors an opportunity to donate $1 to a hurricane relief fund by Convoy of Hope. They will match the donations, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000. God, I love Clean Juice. Grab a Double One, add pineapple and coconut oil for me (I’ll be on my way to juice-up and donate too).
Triple C is teaming up with Carolina Calvary as a collection site to help those in need in Eastern, NC. Drop off times are Saturday 12pm-9pm and Sunday 12pm-8pm with needs for tarps, new blankets, new (no used) clothes/underwear/socks, cleaning supplies, tape, baby wipes, feminine products, hand sanitizer, flip flops/running shoes, gift cards, yard waste bags, canned foods, snacks, bottled water, diapers, baby formula, baby wipes, paper goods, new pillows, box fans, utility knives, and leather work gloves.
Simon Malls SouthPark (at Guest Services), Charlotte Premium Outlets (at Guest Services), and Concord Mills (in the parking lot of Bass Pro Shops) are all drop-off locations for Operation North State through the 24th. They’re accepting new water, can goods, pet food, blankets, clothing, diapers, cleaning supplies, paper products, and toiletries.
So, in the words of my wise little brother, “it’s time to lace up those work boots, take a good hard look in the mirror and show the world what we mean when we say ‘I’m from North Carolina'”. Please consider giving in any way you can- nothing is too small for those that lost everything.
