- C
- V
My name is Penka Kouneva, an industry leader in Los Angeles. I’m organizing a GoFundMe for people in Western North Carolina whose homes were destroyed by hurricane Helene. I will use 100% of the funds to purchase 8-10 emergency sheds. And I'm liaising with a vetted local leader, Leigh Brown, Board Member, Realtors Relief Foundation, to organize the Volunteer Builders in Yancey County, NC (the towns of Burnsville and Pensacola) to install, insulate and complete the shelters. I’m committing to raise $30,000 in one month, to purchase 8-10 of these sheds in December – in time for severe winter weather. North Carolina was my first American home while I was a graduate student at Duke and I'd like to give back to my beloved home state.
The labor to insulate these homes, put up dry wall, electric, floors & basic furniture will be donated by Volunteer Builders (managed by Leigh), and the homes will be given to people and families on a “most in need” basis, as determined by the community organizers in Yancey County.
Relation: I am not related to any the beneficiaries of this campaign, nor to my liaisons in NC. I will provide receipts for every dollar spent, photos of the shelters, a financial report, and documentation of the families receiving the sheds to all donors.
Please join me in supporting these people who are in such dire need. Thank you so much for your generosity.
Penka Kouneva-Schweiger
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
How bad is it there?
Over 1,000 families have had their homes completely destroyed. Many of them have nowhere else to go and are sleeping in tents. By November, the temperature goes down to 35ºF in the mountains. A space heater cannot be used in a tent, but can be used in these homes.
The rest of the damage is overwhelming… There were 1,400 landslides.
101 people died. Many are still missing.
As per North Carolina Budget Office, Helene damaged:
160+ water and sewer systems,
6,000+ miles of roads,
1,000+ bridges and culverts
14,300+ cars & vehicles
126,000 homes.
CBS News stated that the recovery cost is estimated at $53 billion.
Imagine the human suffering behind these figures.
#HeleneRelief #NorthCarolinaStrong
PRESS
Storm caused nearly $15 billion in damage to housing stock in western North Carolina – Oct. 24, 2024
https://ncnewsline.com/2024/10/24/storm-caused-nearly-15b-in-damage-to-housing-stock-in-western-north-carolina/
14,300 cars flooded
https://abc11.com/post/flooded-cars-nc-top-10-list-carfax-flooding-water-damage-property-vehicles/15349962/
Hurricane Helene's damage, related expenses in North Carolina shattering records, estimated at $53 billion