Help Danny Bring Vital Aid to Asheville's Storm Victims

Hello all.

I’m Danny Balsamo from Baltimore, MD.

A few weeks ago, a Film Union Brother of mine started collecting donations for Hurricane Helene relief in and around Asheville, NC.

I donated then realized I could also help collect.

The next thing I knew I was all-in.

I decided to head to Asheville with those donations in a rental van and get to work.

The amount of destruction, despair, and love is indescribable but I’ll do my best.

I was there Week 7 after the storm hit.

Debris everywhere… smashed guard rails & downed power lines to bags of apples hanging from a tree limb, 30 feet high from a grocery store 200 yards away.

Semi trucks in the river, several of them jammed together in a parking lot, a few on their sides.

Buildings and cars ripped apart and full of mud.

Main roads were destroyed, now part of the river bank, as the river peaked 26’ higher than normal while 105 mph winds annihilated everything in sight.

Over 600 people died; some in their homes, others swept away in their vehicles as they tried to evacuate as it all happened so fast.

Many of those who survived lost everything but their lives. Homes, cars, pets, clothes, food… all gone.

Asheville and surrounding towns just now got potable water after being unable to even bathe for 8 weeks, and still its safety is a concern.

But the love.

The strength of the community is amazing.

Donation centers running like well-oiled machines.

Signs around towns, reading “Free Hot Food!”.

Volunteers quickly becoming friends for one common cause.

My days involved working at Beloved Asheville (an amazing Non-profit full of awesome people), making supply runs to those in need, working some cleanup jobs, and doing some demo/mold remediation.

I worked hard during the days, got a hot shower at a FEMA camp every now and then, then did my best to keep it together before sleeping in the rental cargo van.

I need to go back.

I’m at my financial limit as to what I can give but I feel called to go back as they need a lot of help.

Monetary donations to this Gofundme will go toward another rental van and fuel, Beloved Asheville, the owner of a farm who intends to rebuild to house other victims and volunteers, and much needed supplies like heaters, propane, tools, and building supplies.

Please help me help others. Winter is upon us, and people are living in tents without food and water.

Thank you.