As we move into spring, we are reminded that this is a season of renewal. Elk River Helping Hands continues to work diligently throughout the High Country, assisting those facing catastrophic life events and helping restore hope for the future. We are deeply grateful for your continued support, which allows us to carry out our mission.

Now 19 months after the devastation of Hurricane Helene, many individuals and families are still struggling to recover. Through a grant from the North Carolina Community Foundation designated for hurricane relief, we are partnering with other local organizations to address critical needs such as housing, well and septic installations, and more. The outpouring of generosity and hands-on support has been inspiring and has led to meaningful progress. However, much work remains, and we are committed to continuing these recovery efforts.

At the same time, we have not lost sight of other urgent needs within our community. Many individuals are facing serious medical conditions that have significantly impacted their ability to support themselves and their families. Some of the cases we have recently assisted include:

• A young man with a brain infection that led to a stroke, requiring weeks of hospitalization followed by months of physical therapy.
• A woman diagnosed with a rapidly progressive eye disease that quickly and severely impaired her vision.
• A young father and construction worker diagnosed with extensive thromboembolic disease, leaving him unable to work while undergoing treatment.
• A young woman diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, facing months of chemotherapy and radiation.
• A family who lost their home in a fire.

These are just a few examples of the hardships people are facing due to circumstances beyond their control. ERHH is honored to provide a helping hand as they navigate recovery and adjust to new realities.

While we strive to assist as many people as possible, some applications fall outside our scope or eligibility criteria. In those cases, we do our best to connect individuals with other organizations that may be better equipped to help. Our goal is to ensure that everyone in need has access to support.

As we look ahead to the summer season, we remain committed to seeking out and assisting those in need. Thank you again for your generosity and continued support—it truly makes a difference.

Elk River Helping Hands

Board of Directors

If you are 70 1/2 or older, and therefore must take annual Required Minimal Distributions (“RMDs”) from your IRA, you can gift money directly from your IRA to a qualified charity like Elk River Helping Hands (“ERHH”). This is called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (“QCD”), and the maximum allowable QCD amount for an individual in 2026 is $111,000. QCD charitable gifts are not taxable income to the donor. If you would like to make a QCD gift to ERHH and avoid paying income taxes on that distribution amount, just ask your IRA administrator to send a check directly from your IRA to Elk River Helping Hands, 1000 Clubhouse Drive, Banner Elk, NC 28604. The QCD can satisfy all or part of your annual Required Minimum Distribution. As always, we recommend that donors confer with their tax advisors regarding gifting and other income tax and financial planning matters.

We believe in the power of giving, and we’ve made it easier than ever for you to make a difference! By visiting our website, you can effortlessly make donations, set up recurring contributions to ensure your support continues, and create an account that allows you to track your generosity at your fingertips. When you make an online donation, your donation receipt will have a link to create an Aplos donor profile and give you access to My Aplos. You can also go to the Aplos login page to set up your donor account. Plus, with the convenience of your online account, you can easily print out your charitable donation tax statements whenever you need them. And remember, to keep you informed and engaged, our future progress reports will be sent directly to your inbox. Join us in this noble cause, and let’s make an impact together!

Online Donations

Elk River Helping Hands is a 501(c)(3) Charity, Tax ID 99-3365331