Donate to Restore Leslie's Home and Hope

My name is Terrie, and I live in New York. Late last week I was glued to my phone, checking news and weather updates, helplessly far away, waiting for any news from my family.

My little sister Leslie doesn't like me calling her my "little" sister (she's thirty-three years old), but she knows that it comes from a place of love and protectiveness. I could not protect her from the devastation that Hurricane Helene unleashed on western North Carolina, where we both grew up and where she still lives. But I hope that I can help her in the aftermath--and I hope that you might be willing to help, too.

Leslie lives in Fletcher, just outside of Asheville, NC. In early September, she had moved with her two cats into a house just down the mountain from the Bee Tree Reservoir, where she works as a drinking water treatment operator. She had just gotten settled into her new place--with all of her furniture and books and tapestries and cat toys, all of the things that make up a home--when she lost it all to the flood waters.

Most importantly: she is safe. She and her cats took refuge at higher ground before the storm hit. But even when the infrastructure is restored, when the roads are finally cleared, when the power and water come back on, her home will still be gone.

I know that my little sister is just one of thousands of people in need in the wake of Helene, and I'm incredibly grateful to the many aid organizations that are supporting those affected. I hope that you will donate or help however you can, wherever you can! But it would warm this big sister's heart if you'd consider contributing to a new start for my little sister Leslie. All funds will be used to replace the furniture, clothing, and household items (including cat toys!) that she lost in the storm.

With deep gratitude,

Terrie