More than 100 ETSU faculty and staff rolled up their sleeves this summer, trading their desks for hammers and chainsaws during four Hurricane Helene Recovery Workdays across East Tennessee.
Participating employees received paid leave to volunteer time rebuilding homes and facilities, clearing land and debris, and repairing impacted businesses and residences. The opportunities were organized by ETSU's Office of Community Engagement.
The community service took place in Jonesborough, Erwin, and the Valley Forge and Poga communities in Carter County.
“While funding and financial support remain significant needs in impacted areas, there is also a growing demand for talent, expertise, and hands-on service. Among our faculty, staff, students and alumni, ETSU has a wealth of dedicated and passionate individuals equipped to meet many of these needs,” said Nathan Farnor, community engagement specialist in the Office of Community Engagement.
“Supporting and uplifting our region is central to ETSU’s mission, and now, more than ever, it is vital that we continue to carry that mission forward.”
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, ETSU faculty, staff, students and alumni played an active role in supporting both survivors and local organizations through direct service, supply drives and financial donations.
But the ETSU community didn’t stop there.
As the Northeast Tennessee region transitions from response to recovery, the Office of Community Engagement envisioned the Employee Service Days as an opportunity to reenergize the ETSU community to continue serving and giving back in the months and years of recovery to come.
Farnor emphasized that although the needs have changed, there is still much work to be done.
“We are currently exploring additional opportunities for members of the ETSU community to continue to serve and give back in the disaster recovery space throughout the upcoming semester and in future years,” said Farnor.
He recommends ETSU faculty, staff and students check out the ETSU Serves Portal, an online hub that allows them to find volunteer opportunities, track their hours and share their impact through a single platform.
Anyone interested in learning more about ETSU’s Hurricane Helene response and ways to contribute to relief efforts can visit www.etsu.edu/helene.
