UPDATE: It took a while for us to get the Gofundme money transferred to our new PayPal Giving account. This was a way to greatly reduce the fees that are associated with Gofundme. We finally got it transferred, and the Fire Department received a check for about $48,000! They have met and created a very short, one page grant application. The department is working with local school principals and fire departments across Mitchell County to get these grant applications to those in need. The need is still great. This area continues to struggle. Once the grants are awarded, we will keep you updated on how each penny was spent. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

The firemen are speechless! There is still little power, no water and no cell phone coverage in Mitchell County. This is day eight. It took several days for us to figure out how to get into the county because all roads in were destroyed. The world is rallying. On the outside, we are feeding stories to the media to keep the attention on this crisis. We are getting convoys in with food and water. Thank you for donating. Please keep donating. We will start sending out reports on how your money is being used at the fire department once they have stabilized. Every dollar goes to the people in the county.

I'm Mariedith Bell Appanaitis. I grew up in Spruce Pine, NC. Our small town was destroyed by flood waters. So many of us love this place and want to help our people who are there. Virtually everything was destroyed. This Gofundme will go to the Spruce Pine Volunteer Fireman Foundation. It is a non-profit that will be overseen by the fire department. All money will go to Spruce Pine and Mitchell County residents for supplies and support.