State officials, nonprofit representatives, and community members gathered at the South Carolina State House on April 22nd to celebrate the 2026 South Carolina Governor’s Award Ceremony. Among them were members of the American Red Cross Long-Term Recovery team, supporting Hurricane Helene recovery in South Carolina. The team was awarded the Disaster Recovery Volunteer Group of the Year, nominated by fellow recovery partner, Habitat for Humanity of South Carolina.

A vote of confidence from a trusted partner

The South Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Awards honor individuals and groups whose service strengthens communities across the state. “While every volunteer in South Carolina is a hero, being nominated for this award is a meaningful recognition of the dedication, professionalism, and heart our teams bring to recovery work every day,” said Robbie Sofaly, Red Cross director of Long-Term Recovery for Hurricane Helene and Milton in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. 

The nomination was especially significant because it came from Habitat for Humanity of South Carolina. “To be recognized by a trusted partner who sees our work firsthand—day in and day out—speaks volumes about the impact, collaboration, and commitment that define our recovery efforts,” said Sofaly.

“Since day one, the Red Cross has been in the room, not to mention in the field, immediately working towards relief and recovery. There’s not a single Helene recovery partner across South Carolina that hasn’t benefited from the leadership and collaboration of the Red Cross,” said Nancy Lee, executive director of Habitat for Humanity South Carolina. “To Habitat for Humanity, the Disaster Recovery Volunteer Group title is simply synonymous with the American Red Cross. Housing recovery from Hurricane Helene will take years; we are grateful to know Red Cross will be working alongside us every step of the way.”

Long-Term Recovery in South Carolina

The long-term recovery team has been supporting ongoing recovery in South Carolina following the impacts of Hurricane Helene in September of 2024. These activities have included multiple rounds of direct financial assistance to families continuing to recover from the devastating effects of the hurricane, as well as grants to community organizations supporting other recovery needs such as home repair, mental health, and disaster case management.

Among those recognized by the award were community recovery managers Jenny Fertig and Miriana Robinson, as well as members of the grants, preparedness, and Expanded Recovery Assistance (ERA) teams, whose behind‑the‑scenes work, coordination, and persistence make long‑term recovery possible. 

This award honors not only the work of the long-term recovery team, but also the partnership and collaboration with members of the South Carolina Region team.

Together, the Red Cross in South Carolina will continue to serve the communities affected by Hurricane Helene alongside our partners, as their recovery journey continues.