Our Mission:
Empowering Community, Inspiring Hope
Why Here? Why Now?
Hurricane Helene was the costliest and deadliest natural disaster ever to hit North Carolina, estimating at least $53 billion in damages. After Hurricane Helene, Rutherford County, NC faces a unique and urgent need for relief efforts to help families and vulnerable residents rebuild and recover. Below are our goals and why your support is so important:
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Holiday Support for Families: With 16.4% of the county living below the poverty line, schools and nonprofits are ensuring families receive holiday gifts and essentials, providing a sense of normalcy during the season.
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Utility Assistance: With many facing significant financial stress, funds go toward vital utility bills, ensuring families don’t lose access to water, gas, or electricity as they rebuild.
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Support for Vulnerable Residents: 22.6% of residents are aged 65 or older, and 15.2% live with disabilities. Donations aid elderly and disabled residents by funding transport, safe housing, and easy access to essential relief.
Additional Focus Areas:
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Economic Recovery: Local businesses rely heavily on tourism, especially during fall and winter. Hurricane Helene disrupted this critical season, and relief efforts are helping them survive significant income losses until tourism can safely resume.
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Affordable Housing Repairs: The hurricane damaged homes across the county, impacting the 73.3% of housing units that are owner-occupied. Funds are directed to home repairs, ensuring families can rebuild and remain in their communities.
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Healthcare Access and Education Support: Many residents, with 12.3% uninsured, face medical care challenges post-disaster. Donations support health services and job training to aid displaced families, promoting resilience for long-term recovery.
Why Elevate The 828?
We started Elevate the 828 because the 828 is our home. Born and raised in Rutherford County, NC we come from a long line of people who also called this place home—our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and even great-great-grandparents lived, worked, and built their lives here. We went to school in this area, and one of us even had the honor of teaching in those same schools, guiding the next generation. Seeing this beloved community in distress broke our hearts, and we felt a responsibility to step up and help. That's why we decided to support the local groups and organizations already on the ground, working tirelessly to uplift those in need. By raising funds for these dedicated community leaders, we hope to make a lasting difference.
Our mission is simple: Elevate the 828 is built on the belief that family and community are at the core of resilience. With the right support, individuals and families affected by disasters, homelessness, poverty, and unemployment can find the strength to rebuild. Together, we can create a stronger, more loving community where everyone can thrive.
Board of Directors
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Our Board of Directors is made up of dedicated individuals born and raised, or with deep roots, in Rutherford County, NC. Each board member brings valuable expertise across generations and a range of fields, including law, finance, non-profits, and education. Our diverse skills and experiences allow us to approach challenges from multiple perspectives, ensuring thoughtful leadership and effective decision-making for the long-term success of our mission. With strong ties to the community, they are committed to guiding our mission and ensuring lasting impact for the 828 area.
Founder & CEO
Sloan Whiteside-Munteanu, Esq.
Executive Director
Dr. La'Ronda Whiteside
Board Members
Revonda Williams
Erica Burnett
Kennedy Whiteside