Relief Aid Needed in Haines, Alaska

Editor's note:

You may remember Christine Hill from our #EveryoneOutside film, Fly Fishing with Christine Hill. When she's not working, Chris spends as much time outdoors with a fly rod in hand, and during the summers, that means you can find her fishing from the rivers of Haines, Alaska. 

And in this moment, it's Haines that needs our help. When she reached out to us about the recent natural disaster that has washed out and leveled her entire community, we offered to share her message with the Outbound community. Thank you for reading.

A message to the Outbound Collective from Chris Hill:

"As many of you all know, Haines, AK has gotten hit hard by a recent natural disaster. Heavy rains on top of a deep snowpack and warming temperatures created major flooding, washed out roads, and multiple landslides in and around town. With over 10 inches of rain on top of a foot of snow, 2-4 feet on the mountaintops, in 48 hours, the flooding has displaced dozens of families and the landslides have destroyed a number of houses. 2 of our beloved community members are still missing from the landslide. As the rain, snow and wind continue, multiple neighborhoods continue to be evacuated, displacing more and more people. If this is not climate change, I don't know what is. 

Our two beloved community members that are missing from the landslide are rising stars in the community. David Simmons is the Haines Economic Development Corp Executive Director. In the past few months, David has been a rock star in getting community members set up for grants and funds available for covid relief. Jenae grew up here in Haines, left for college and recently returned to become the Kindergarten teacher here at the school. She is an extremely talented and loved new teacher in the school district. Search and Rescue continue to put in long hours to find our friends.  

As a person who loves Alaska, this small community, its people and the lands and water, I ask for your help. We are in desperate need of relief funds."

Here are a few ways in which you can donate to help Haines, Alaska:

The Salvation Army

They're the ground in Haines helping to coordinate relief efforts, and there is a fund dedicated specifically toward Haines recovery efforts. The donations will be utilized for emergency housing, meals/food, clothing, gift cards, housing placement, cleaning kits, equipment, and on-going social services as needed. 

Tlingit & Haida Emergency Donation 

Chilkoot Indian Association Relief Fund

Get caught up on the rescue efforts in Haines, AK

KTOO, Two Haines residents still missing after devastating landslide; Gov. Dunleavy declares emergency

CNN, 2 people still missing, 4 found after Alaska landslide

Chilkat Valley News,Residents battle flooding, mudslides, sinkholes during record-breaking storm