OLYMPIA – Secretary of State Steve Hobbs opened a secure portal for all Washington residents, public employees, and state retirees to donate to Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
The Disaster Relief Center, a special function of the Secretary of State’s Combined Fund Drive, provides links for one-time donations to verified and registered crisis-relief charities during periods of natural or humanitarian disasters that exceed a region’s capacity to provide help.
Hurricane Helene left catastrophic destruction in its wake across the southern United States over the weekend. The Category 4 storm’s heavy rain and 140 mph winds caused severe flooding, widespread power outages, and landslides that led to major disruptions of crucial infrastructure and basic services. More than 120 people have died as a result of the storm, with millions more affected and unable to access food, water, cell service, or other basic necessities.
“Washington can be proud to say its citizens and public employees continue to answer the call and come to the aid of others,” said Secretary Hobbs. “The Combined Fund Drive provides a reliable and secure option for Washingtonians to help support those who need it the most.”
Donations can be made by credit card, payroll deduction for current state employees, or retirement deduction for state retirees to benefit each donor’s choice of relief organization or those identified by CFD on the Helene relief donation page.
The Disaster Relief Center website has previously been used to donations for organizations that support recovery efforts during the Eastern Washington and Maui wildfires in 2023, and international aid groups responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees areas within state government including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office operates the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, and administers the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees and the ProductivityBoard state employee suggestion program. The Secretary of State also oversees the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.