The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Waccamaw Community Foundation, a philanthropic institution serving Horry and Georgetown Counties, administers the “Help The Grand Strand” disaster recovery fund to provide relief and recovery support for our community.

Recognizing the need to keep efforts within the local community, the fund was initiated by the Area Recovery Cooperative, Inc. (ARC) after Hurricane Hugo in 1989 to allow individuals and businesses to help those in need. Money raised does not go directly to individuals, but is granted to local nonprofit agencies providing specific human relief needs for local citizens.

During and after a disaster, when damage is being assessed, immediate relief is available to be deployed for both coastal and inland residents of Horry and Georgetown Counties who are impacted most. Ongoing fundraising then assists with longer term recovery efforts.

As of today, we know that no matter the path of Hurricane Dorian or where he makes landfall, families and businesses in our communities or neighboring communities will be impacted in profound ways.

In anticipation of the potential effects of Hurricane Dorian, the disaster recovery fund is now accepting donations. The funds collected for the “Help The Grand Strand” disaster recovery fund will be used for human services that may be unmet, enabling the residents of the entire Grand Strand area to recover as quickly as possible.

“In times of struggle when the community comes together, Waccamaw Community Foundation is here to provide trustworthy philanthropic services,” said Dennis Was, WCF Board Chair. “We work year-round with local nonprofits and vet new organizations, providing expert grant making administration for communities in Horry and Georgetown Counties.”

HOW CAN YOU HELP NOW, IN ANTICIPATION OF THE STORM?

1. Mail a check – Make your check payable to Waccamaw Community Foundation. In the memo line of your check, specify “Help The Grand Strand” disaster recovery fund. Mail to: Waccamaw Community Foundation 3655 S. Highway 17 Business Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
2. Pay by phone – Call WCF at 1-843-357-4483, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In case of evacuation, additional information will be added to the WCF website’s Disaster Relief webpage.
3. Pay Online – Click here to learn more and process your payment online. Please specify “Help The Grand Strand” disaster recovery fund in the Designation drop-down menu. Your generous donation offers assistance to local citizens in the area impacted by the hurricane. The fund also helps ensure the swift and efficient economic recovery of the Grand Strand area that you and millions of visitors come to enjoy year after year.

You may also designate a donation to the Georgetown County Disaster Relief Fund, which provides support specifically for Georgetown and Williamsburg counties, or the Horry County Disaster Relief Fund, which provides support specifically for Horry County. These funds were created as a part of the counties’ emergency operations plans among partner organizations that comprise the local VOADs (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). The purpose of these funds is to give immediate assistance through rapid grants to organizations on the ground in the time of disaster that are providing specific human relief needs for local citizens.

About Waccamaw Community Foundation: Waccamaw Community Foundation seeks to improve quality of life across Horry and Georgetown Counties by offering individuals, families and organizations the opportunity to establish named charitable funds that support the community through grants and scholarships. Founded in 1999, Waccamaw Community Foundation connects people with the causes they care about, provides personalized service and helps donors leave a lasting legacy. To learn more visit www.waccamawcf.org or call (843) 357-4483. Waccamaw Community Foundation is an affiliate organization of Coastal Community Foundation.