NECHAMA has the great privilege of being a volunteer-driven organization. Our work on-site cannot succeed without the amazing efforts of our volunteers. We feel honored that hundreds of people take time out of their busy schedules to join our work sites and aid victims of natural disasters. This has been especially true for our Western North Carolina sites, where we have welcomed more than 400 volunteers, with many more to come! Today, we would like to highlight two special volunteers who joined our Western North Carolina work sites.
First up, introducing Caleb Seidler, the Teen Program Coordinator at the Levine JCC in Charlotte, NC, and a dedicated NECHAMA volunteer! Born and raised in Charlotte, Caleb’s passion for community building and Jewish youth programs shines in everything he does.
When footage of Hurricane Helene’s aftermath hit, Caleb knew he wanted to provide hands-on help rather than just making a donation. He first joined NECHAMA with friends, then returned with a group of teens he organized through BBYO, the JCC, Temple Beth El, and Temple Israel.
Caleb shared: “‘It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it.’ This is a quote from Pirkei Avot I think about whenever I see disaster in our world. I’d always want to do something but never really know where to start. NECHAMA gives everyday folks, like myself, the ability to do just that. NECHAMA does such good work in our world. I am grateful to have found this incredible organization.”
Despite no construction background, Caleb found the guidance on-site invaluable, empowering both him and his groups to succeed. Thank you, Caleb, for bringing your passion and positivity to NECHAMA!
Next up, say hello to Griffin and Kelsey Harrow who recently made Arden, NC, their home! Drawn to the mountains and outdoor lifestyle, these two jumped at the chance to give back when their community was hit hard by disaster.
New to disaster relief but eager to make a difference, Griffin and Kelsey discovered NECHAMA through a local volunteer page. They joined our work sites twice, tackling heavy tasks with determination and heart.
Griffin and Kelsey would like to share the following message with NECHAMA’s supporters: “Western North Carolina is suffering and will be rebuilding for the months and years to come. Asheville and Western North Carolina mean so much to us. We could not be more thankful for the love and support of NECHAMA.”
From lifting spirits to lifting debris, they brought care and compassion to every moment. They loved connecting with NECHAMA’s team, hearing stories from neighbors, and embracing the Jewish values that guided the work.
We’re so grateful to Griffin and Kelsey for turning their passion for their community into action!
Would you like to support these volunteers, providing them with meaningful opportunities for community rehabilitation? See our giving levels below which details how your donation can make an impact on NECHAMA’s volunteer operations.
- $18 – Provide a hammer to help a volunteer rebuild homes.
- $36 – Supply fresh saw blades to power through debris removal.
- $50 – Outfit a volunteer with full PPE to safely gut a flooded basement.
- $100 – Place a brand-new drill in the hands of a volunteer for critical recovery work.
- $180 – Equip our staff with a brad nailer for precise finishing touches on rebuilds.
- $360 – Provide a chainsaw to clear debris and open paths to recovery.
- $500 – Fuel a team of 10 volunteers with meals for three days of hard work.
- $1,000 – Sponsor the travel for a complete disaster assessment after a disaster.
- $1,800 – Cover the cost to install new sheetrock in a damaged home.
- $2,500 – Keep the NECHAMA truck rolling for 30+ days of long-term recovery work.
- $5,000 – Provide durable new flooring to complete the rebuild of a disaster-affected home.
We hope you are inspired by our volunteers! To join our deployment in Western North Carolina, head here.
Thank you for your support!
– The NECHAMA Staff