Support Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts in WNC & TN

Updates added at the bottom.

It saddens me to think that I “need/have to” clarify “everything” about this effort of this GoFundMe.

I want to share my story as the organizer of this GoFundMe. I am Christy Wilson from Dandridge, Tennessee.

I have personally experienced the loss of my mom, two brothers, a best friend, and her husband in this devastating mountain disaster. They were unable to escape and are still unaccounted for after 12 days.

Despite my grief, I've found the strength to help others in the disaster zone, because that is what my family would want. I've been working tirelessly to assist three families who lost their homes and belongings in the destruction of the same community my family lived in. The only reason these people were spared their lives was that they were on vacation or at other family funerals out of town.

It’s been 12 days and hundreds of people are still unaccounted for in the mass destruction zone of Western North Carolina and Tennessee. It looks like a war zone here! This is devastating to everyone here, but I continue to push forward in helping others. I have not and will not give up hope that my family and friends will be found and reunited with me, and if they are not, I know where they are and the only thing that resides on this earth is their earthly bodies wherever they may be.

With the support of a helicopter pilot who is a friend, Kenneth, generously offered to donate his time and personal helicopter to support my efforts. The only thing Kenneth asked for was fuel cost to be covered. After Kenneth offered his assistance, a compassionate business owner in Lexington, NC, who knows Kenneth personally also, agreed to pay for 98% of the fuel cost for the relief efforts, regardless of how long it takes.

My relief efforts were already underway before the GoFundMe campaign was set up. The Original article of the GoFundMe clearly said that 2% would go toward air fuel which would make up the other 2% not funded by the generous business owner from Lexington, NC. It never was said I was helping with housing for people in South Carolina. I have screenshot of the oringal post.

I am and will continue reducing the GoFundMe goal to reflect the donations already received from the prior goal amount of $50,000.00. I am not asking for any additional funds above that goal amount.

I want to ensure transparency and fairness to those who generously donate to the campaign either through GoFundMe or private donations. I can assure you I have ALL the paperwork and receipts in hand.

I also have receipts of my personal donations efforts to the disaster zone that was donated before any GoFundMe campaign was set up. I donated $20,000.00 of my own money to supply hot meals to feed emergency workers, search/rescue teams both local and the good ol’ boys and girls of the south who are here HELPING people who lost their homes, or anyone else who needed hot meals.

It's disheartening that some individuals attempt to undermine the efforts of those who are HELPING others during times of devastation. It's crucial to provide support and compassion, especially to those who are directly affected by such disasters no matter where it is happening around the world.

Let's remember to show empathy, as you never know when you might find “yourselves” in a similar situation. We should never underestimate the generosity of others, as those very people who set up these LEGIT campaigns may be the ones to help “you” if you ever find yourselves in similar circumstances.

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UPDATE: 10/7/24

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I want to thank a kind-hearted business owner from South Carolina who wishes to remain anonymous and has generously stepped forward and donated $25,000 to help. He drove to North Carolina to meet me with this donation, “we” were able to secure two rental properties in Knoxville, Tennessee at discounted rental rates for a full year for these two families. The displaced familes were from the North Carolina destruction zone, the donation also covered their electricity expenses for the entire year and their household items have been replenished as well thanks to a local church.

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UPDATE 2: 10/7/24

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Thanks to generous support of a home owner in Johnson City, TN, I will be able to secure a third rental home for the other family, along with covering their electricity expenses, by the end of the day today 10/8/24. We are working with locals in that area to replenish household items as well.

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UPDATE: 10/8/24

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Thanks to the donations and support from anyone who has donated directly to this campaign. Your donations will help fund more supplies for people in need.

Thanks to all who have purchased from our wishlist on Amazon from around the world, you know who you are.

Thanks to the private individuals who have purchased from our wishlist that have also been delivered from Amazon. After four days we were able to fill up a 26’ box truck that will be distributed in Cocke County, TN, Rutherford County, NC, and Watauga County, NC on 10/10/24

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UPDATE 2: 10/8/24

Due to the out pouring of donated baby supplies. We were able to personally hand deliver and fellowship with 15 moms with infants in Cocke County, TN today. During our brief fellowship, we were given 6 additional names. We will be delivering supplies to the additonal 6 moms on 10/9/24. We will be continuing to work with theses moms for the next several months.

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UPDATE: 10/9/24

It’s been a mentally tiresome day. Our day started just before 4am EST with a text alert where we were notified we had 4 tractor trailer loads of donation coming in to my area. What do you done with 4 unplanned tractor trailer truck worth of supplies? You keep the phone lines hot! Call after call to EMS, Fire Departments, churches, ect. Who couldn't handle that magnitude of a load. We contacted the nice people at Bristol Motor Speedway to see if we could bring our trailers there, of course they said yes. These were donated in honor of my family to be distributed “anywhere” families needed help. My great friend Christy was able escort those truck to Bristol this morning.

While she there we had a call that someone needed a generator for a diabetic to keep their medicine cold, so while Christy was there she requested a

generator. There was a single generator in the building. The guy over seeing the operation there said “quote” I will give you this generator but my group of workers have to pray that god will find a way to replenish our supply. In less than 15 minutes gerators were replished the army national guard told him a truck had just arrived.

There is a video where a media crew that Christy also took while the media crew was talking to him and he talks about this experience.

Fast forward several hours, my helpers delivered a 26’ box truck to a distribution Center in Cocke County, TN.

Thanks to word of mouth and bulk text messages going out everyone knew we were on our way and what supplies would be with us when we arrived a day earlier than planned.

The other 6 moms also was supplied their supplies as well as promised. It’s late is literally 1:15am and time to get a few hours of rest before starting over. Be blessed ❤️

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UPDATE: 10/11/24

Sad day for for sure, the body of my best friends husband was found today. Approximately 8 miles from their home.

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UPDATE: 10/19/24

It’s been a while since I have updated.

It’s been a sad week and weekend for sure!

Cadaver dogs have have been in the area full force. They are still recovering bodies.

I got word yesterday they found my

mom one mile down stream. Then approx. 6 hrs ago, they found my dad 2 miles from the family home. They are still searching for my best friend.

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UPDATE: 10/21/24

Today marks another devastating moment as one of my brothers was discovered in his truck, buried under a mudslide. He had been working alongside our stepdad, who was found on Saturday, before the devastation unfolded. It's incredibly challenging to process what has happened here. The lack of understanding from some individuals about the struggles faced by those in this area is truly disheartening.

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UPDATE: 10/27/24

We have been non-stop since this devastating event occurred. Today marks day 30. My other brother was found today, 8 miles downstream. We keep pushing forward. Tomorrow is another day. We, along with everyone who has lost loved ones or is still searching for them, really need your prayers.