Volunteering During the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene: A Story of Community Resilience

Growing up in Western North Carolina, my hometown of Marion has always been dear to me. When Hurricane Helene hit, it was heartbreaking to witness the devastation that swept through the places I grew up loving. Homes, landmarks, and local businesses were severely impacted, and the entire town felt the weight of the loss. Despite the helplessness many felt in the aftermath, the community spirit that emerged was nothing short of incredible. I knew I wanted to help in any way possible.

In this difficult time, seeing local churches, schools, and organizations open their doors to provide essentials like food, water, and shelter has been inspiring. McDowell Technical Community College quickly transformed into a distribution center for McDowell County and neighboring areas, while Grace Community Church has served thousands of meals to those in need. Nebo Crossing Church has offered its space to emergency workers, providing a much-needed refuge. Many local businesses, although affected, have stepped up to support the community as well. Despite severe flooding at both Asheville and Black Mountain locations, Ole Guacamole in Black Mountain prepared meals for those in need. Similarly, Ingenious Coffee Roasters on Main Street in Marion has graciously allowed the community to gather and use their WiFi, offering support even when things were challenging for them.

The kindness I witnessed extended beyond goods and services. People opened their homes for showers and hot meals, checked in on elderly neighbors, and volunteered to clear fallen trees and debris. My experience volunteering at McDowell Tech exemplified this spirit of unity. Volunteers of all ages came together, each with their own story of loss, yet all focused on helping others. Donations have poured in, providing essentials like toothbrushes, water, food, blankets, clothing, and much more. These donations have shown an outpouring of love from our local community and across the country.

This experience reminded me that there is hope even in the darkest times. As we mourn our losses and rally together, I am deeply grateful for the generosity, resilience, and unity of my community. Thank you, McDowell, for showing that even in the hardest of times, we can find strength together.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can help our area, click here: https://www.mcdowellcares.org/i-want-to-help

Thank you,

Morgan Wylie, Executive Assistant to Steve Gaito