When asked to identify a transformational moment from 2016, Marla Browne, our teammate and NC 2-1-1’s Asheville Call Center director, didn’t hesitate; “Hurricane Matthew” was her response.
This is not a drill
This was the first time North Carolina’s statewide Emergency Management department utilized NC 2-1-1 to serve as a support service during a disaster response.
It may have been our first time, but we were ready. NC 2-1-1’s sister call centers, in Durham and Asheville, worked together with leadership from United Way of North Carolina to cover the massive numbers of disaster related calls; more than 12,500 statewide since October.
This is What We Do
Being there for people when they are navigating a difficult situation is what we do every day. Sometimes that difficult situation comes in the form of a natural disaster like Hurricane Matthew or the wildfires that hit western North Carolina this past fall.
But most days those disasters are of a more personal nature; an illness, a layoff, a child that is struggling to keep up in school, an elderly parent who can’t get to their doctor or a sibling struggling with an addiction. NC 2-1-1 is there for every last member of our community when they are ready to reach out to find the help they need.
When you give to United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, you help make this service possible. So thank you for your support. We are honored to serve our community through NC 2-1-1 and proud of the other ways we support Asheville and Buncombe County.
Next Steps
- Click here to learn about other key accomplishments
- Dial 2-1-1 or visit NC211.org
- Make a gift to support this work
