A community Unrecovered…
As of the 2010 Census there were 2,663 people residing in the town of Fairmont, North Carolina. The racial makeup of the town is 56.0% Black, 26.0% White, 13.3% Native American. There are approximately 1,078 households and 685 families residing in the town with a per capita income at $12,006, resulting in 32.9% of the population below the poverty line, including 42.9% of those under age 18 and 32% of those age 65 or over.
In September of 2018, Hurricane Florence touched down in Fairmont, inundating homes, toppling trees and pushing rivers far beyond their banks. Thousands of downed trees caused widespread power outages to nearly all of Eastern North Carolina. Breaking storm surges of 9 to 13 feet and devastating rainfall of 20 to 30 inches produced catastrophic and life-threatening flooding.
World Cares Center responded to support Haiti in 2016 and Texas and Puerto Rico in 2017. Now WCC is being asked to help the citizens of Fairmont who have gone unsupported for 15 months.
Some Fairmont homeowners submitted FEMA application and received support, some had complications with land-rights as homes passed down from generation to generation lack the required documentation. Others received coupons for appliances that could not be installed or were scammed by predators posing as reputable rebuild companies.
An 80+ year old widow living in a small home where mold is making her sick, the ceiling is falling in and the only thing holding the rotten sub-flooring up is the linoleum. She can no longer babysit her grand-babies as they are in danger of getting sick.
The stories go on-and-on. These people need our help.
Due to World Cares Center’s reputation and partnerships in the field of disaster response, training and flood recovery coordination, our support has been requested by the Mayor of Fairmont. We are coordinating with our partner, America’s Disaster Relief, who is on the ground conducting assessments and establishing a home base. Currently we have 48 initial assessments and an estimate from the Mayor that 100 homes are in need of repair. Our veteran team leadership initiative and our seasoned flood recovery team are at the ready.
World Cares Centers mission is to train and protect Ready Responders and that is our intention in Fairmont. World Cares Center will not only help Fairmont recover, but also equip the community for future disasters. Our eclectic team of survivors turned disaster volunteers, veterans and partners will pull together to gut and rebuild homes of the community of Fairmont and leave behind valuable skills and connections.
Our current goal is to raise $50,000 in the first of 2020 to set up a volunteer reception center and fix the first 25 homes. Funds will be used to purchase tools, rebuilding supplies, cover the cost of upkeep and food for volunteer housing, and two staff members to coordinate efforts and ensure everyone remains safe.
Your donations change lives.
