We are raising money for some specific victims of Hurricane Helene in Swannanoa NC. We have a close, personal connection to families we know there who are associated with an elementary school (K-5) in Swannanoa, many of whom are still struggling.

Your donations will go directly towards one of two efforts:

(1) We are partnering with a local Art Therapist to help the children process their trauma. With the guidance of the therapist, we will create art kits, activities, lessons, etc. The program we develop will be designed to be applicable to future occasions where art therapy may help, so this is not a one-time band-aid but an investment in a curriculum for years to come when children need it. We think this will cost about $5,000.

(2) We have also reached out to a local church that is focused on creating housing, and they can use funds to get people into a home immediately, even if it’s just a trailer. It is winter here in the mountains. We know people personally who are still living in tents with their kids. We are not affiliated with this church in any way, but we have seen what they are doing and it is the right thing, in the right way. 100% of the money we give them will go to the families, everything else they volunteer. We don’t want to put a number on this, it will be ongoing.

We will report back here regularly to let you know how much we have raised, where it went, the specific lives we have touched, etc.

If you have anything to spare, please consider these families and children in Swannanoa. Anything helps, and please spread the word. Thank you so much!