Coming together in times of crisis: Using Cisco’s Time2Give in Carolina Beach

On September 17, 2024, the small town where I live, Carolina Beach, North Carolina, was hit with a once-in-1,000-year rainfall event. The unnamed storm brought unprecedented devastation, flooding homes and businesses and necessitating the rescue of residents and animals from perilous conditions. According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, North Carolina, a staggering 18 inches of rain fell within a mere 12 hours, setting a historic precedent. 

Just one week later, and five hours west of us, on September 24, 2024, Hurricane Helene impacted Western North Carolina, necessitating further relief efforts from a storm that brought winds of 45 to 60 mph. The 19 inches of rainfall triggered destructive flooding in this part of the Appalachian Mountains, sweeping away 126,000 homes due to 1,400 landslides. 

Rising to the occasion 

In the week following this catastrophic flooding of Carolina Beach, I decided to utilize my Cisco Time2Give volunteer hours to aid in the relief efforts and signed up to receive training for Cisco’s Crisis Response, an internal volunteer group that helps to respond in times like this. Cisco provides 10 days to employees to volunteer in ways that are most meaningful to them throughout the year, and I knew this would be a good use of that time. The sense of urgency and the need to help my community drove me to extend my efforts beyond the typical workday, too. In total, I was able to volunteer more than 25 hours through Time2Give and the hours I volunteered outside of work. 

Mobilizing with Lifepoint Church 

The local organization, Lifepoint Church, played a pivotal role in organizing and supporting the community's response. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, the church coordinated over 57 service projects and amassed more than 900 volunteer hours in the immediate aftermath of the storm. It was a tremendous collective effort that showcased the power of community spirit and collaboration. 

Hands-on relief work 

During my volunteer time, I participated in a variety of service projects aimed at restoring normalcy to the affected areas. These projects included: 

• Clearing out debris and belongings from flooded homes 
• Cleaning the interiors and exteriors of homes 
• Cleaning up a local business like Crush & Grind Coffee 
• Performing yard work 
• Providing laundry services 
• Conducting community outreach to sign up residents for additional assistance through the Lifepoint team 

Community resilience and hope 

I was truly humbled by how our community showed up for people in need in the critical hours immediately following the flooding. Our service group wore red shirts, and when people saw us about town, people cried, some thanked us, and it gave people hope that someone was there to help. It was heartwarming to work alongside people who simply cared for others and their basic human dignity. 

The visible presence of volunteers brought comfort and hope to those affected, reinforcing the idea that even in the darkest times, there is light and solidarity. 

Continuing the effort 

I am extremely thankful to Cisco and Outshift by Cisco for the opportunity to use volunteer time to contribute meaningfully to my community. This program provided by Cisco not only allowed me to assist in a time of need but also reinforced my commitment to volunteerism, as ongoing support for communities affected by recent natural disasters remains a priority. I am proud to be part of a company and a community that values and prioritizes helping others in times of crisis. 

Together, we can make a difference, one volunteer hour at a time. 

Inspired by this story? Read more about how Outshifters are giving back here.