June 21-27 | The high school youth group will be going to East Tennessee, June 21-27 to serve the communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. The cost of the trip is $750 with a $50 deposit due at registration and goes towards the $750 total. Half of the $750 will be due by Sunday, February 23, and the full $750 will be due on or before Sunday May 11. We have several opportunities to raise money over the next 5-6 months through fundraisers and other ideas that we'll be sharing in the future. We plan to serve for six days and one of the days we will visit Cummins Falls in central Tennessee.

On Thursday September 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a major, category 4 hurricane. Its initial impact was centered over the big bend of Florida with sustained winds of 140mph. As it moved inland, the storm dropped up to an astonishing 30 inches of rain in areas across the Appalachian Highlands. The Appalachian Highlands were devastated by the hurricane. It caused widespread flooding, landslides, and property damage. The storm's heavy rainfall overwhelmed rivers and creeks, leading to severe flooding in many communities. The resulting floods damaged homes, businesses, roads, and bridges, leaving thousands of people without basic necessities. The storm also triggered landslides in the mountainous terrain, further exacerbating the damage. In nearly every measurable way, the impact of this hurricane has been the most catastrophic this region has experienced. Many families have lost the entire community that they once knew and many lives were taken as a result of this disaster. We look forward to serving these communities however possible.

If possible, please consider registering early to help with logistics and planning. If you have any questions please ask Wes (wesm@cottonwoodcrc.com) or Hailey (haileyv@cottonwoodcrc.com).