It takes a villiage
As Hurricane Helene gained strength, the Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers (ECCC) board and staff swiftly mobilized to support those in the storm's path. Proactively, ECCC connected with potentially affected centers, establishing open lines of communication to monitor their status and address urgent needs. Then, the staff launched a Hurricane Relief Hub to prepare to coordinate assistance. The hub utilized a detailed spreadsheet tracking each center's name, status updates, and immediate needs, ensuring no detail was overlooked.
In the aftermath, offers of help soon poured in from ECCC member centers across the region. Among those stepping forward was the Barrier Island Naturalists staff from St. Christopher’s Camp and Conference Center in South Carolina as well as ECCC board members Julia Connelly (Camp Wright), and Teri Valente (Camp Arrowhead). Volunteers traveled to Honey Creek (GA), Lake Logan (NC), and Valle Crucis (NC), lending hands and hope to centers working to recover.
The immediate question from affected centers was, “What do you need?” The answer from one center was clear: “Internet. If there was some magical way you could get satellite internet for us, that would be a Godsend.”
ECCC Executive Director Jess Elfring-Roberts wasted no time. Leveraging a connection with a friend, they helped Jess navigate Starlink’s hurricane relief program to register each of the affected centers with an account for Starlink including 30+ days free of charge. Through a combination of donations, discounted purchases of Starlinks from a local Chicago store, and a bit of persuasive networking, Jess was able to get hands on 5 Starlink units.
In under 12 hours, ECCC raised enough funds to pay for the Starlink units, battery-operated chainsaws, and hygiene products tailored to the specific needs of each center. This rapid response showcased the power of community collaboration in times of crisis.
A few days later, Supplies were driven down to Valle Crucis, Lake Logan, and Kanuga. Meanwhile, Lauri Sojourner from Camp Weed in Florida, drove to Lake Logan to retrieve two Starlinks: one for Camp Weed and another to transport to Honey Creek.
The collaborative efforts between ECCC centers, staff, and volunteers highlight the strength of the ECCC network in times of crisis. “This is the Church,” Jess said. “We come together to support one another, no matter the distance or the challenge because we're family.”
To learn more about ECCC’s disaster relief efforts, or to help support a center in need, click here
If you are interested in volunteer opportunities please click here.
