‘I hope that we can sustain it’ | Fort Mill-based organization answering the call for humanitarian aid in Asheville
WCNC Charlotte
Jane Monreal
November 4, 2024
WATCH THE VIDEO FROM THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE
When Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina on September 27, 2024, killing dozens and leaving a lasting scar with destroyed roads and widespread power outages, Sean Malone and his nonprofit, Crisis Response International, sprang into action. Initially in Florida post-landfall, Malone quickly redirected his team to Asheville by October 1, where the need for essentials like hot meals persisted weeks later—unprecedented for a typical hurricane. A former first responder shaped by 9/11, Malone has led CRI to provide sustained relief, serving a region where people still emerge from isolated areas, some tasting their first hot meal in three weeks amid job losses and homes pierced by trees.
With nearly 50 volunteers, CRI is transitioning from chaotic response to recovery, tackling muck outs and debris removal for the long haul. Malone, who briefly returned home for cold-weather gear and family, highlights the overwhelming gratitude from Asheville’s residents—some even volunteering after being helped. As winter looms, CRI needs more volunteers and resources to keep hope alive. What makes this disaster unique, and how is CRI adapting? Read the full story to find out!
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https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/hurricane/helene/asheville-fort-mill-organization-humanitarian-aid/275-ff51a04e-98f5-49fb-89ae-f4588ec4bc10
