Dear friends,
Each day, more than 300,000 readers and followers of Our State magazine look forward to our social media posts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, in which we showcase the beauty of North Carolina’s landscape, favorite foods, town tours, and more.
Today, however, as we continue to monitor the reports of the devastating flooding and damage from Hurricane Florence, we recognize that now is not the time to share our favorite cornbread recipe.
This week, we are suspending all activity on our social media feeds so that we do not distract from the relief and recovery organizations that need our help, including:
- American Red Cross: 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word “FLORENCE” to 90999 to make a $10 donation; redcross.org
- North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund
- United Way Hurricane Florence Recovery Fund
- North Carolina Nurses Association: An emergency fundraising effort for nurses affected by Florence
- American Humane Association: An emergency donation helps animal rescue groups save animals left behind or in shelters
- Emergency Disaster Services of The Salvation Army
- The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina: To donate food, visit one of the distribution centers in Durham, Raleigh, New Bern, Greenville, the Sandhills/Southern Pines, or Wilmington, or donate online
- Second Harvest and Disaster Response
- For the Down East/Carteret County region, please consider donating to the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum’s hurricane relief fund
- Hurricane Florence Relief Bucket Drive: Alpha Graphics of Raleigh will deliver buckets of cleaning supplies to the New Bern area; purchase through their Amazon wish list
North Carolina is known for many things, but nothing more important this week than the qualities of endurance, resilience, and hope. For proof, just look toward our symbols of strength in eastern North Carolina: Seven mighty lighthouses that have weathered countless storms; a 2,633-ton armored battleship designed to withstand torpedoes; wild horses that have survived for centuries; ancient oaks that know how to bend, then rebound; generations of farming families who continue their legacies; hundred-year-old churches and congregations that hold tight to one another.
North Carolinians pull together. And we pull through. This week, we’re pausing, in order to prepare for the fight ahead.
Elizabeth Hudson
Editor in Chief