Help Daya Rebuild After Hurricane Helene

Hi my name is Dennis Rivellino, and I am setting up a Go Fund Me account for my dear friend Daya Singer, who was forced to evacuate her home with her 6 year old daughter during hurricane Helene.

Daya and her daughter, three cats and fish lived in the mountains of Swannonoa, a small town, located between Black Mountain and Asheville, NC. Swannanoa has been covered on the news as one of the most devastated areas hit by Hurricane Helene.

Daya and her daughter lost power on the night of September 26th , 2024. They stayed on the mountain with no electricity, water, cell phone service or internet for 5 days without a way to evacuate. What was once a private mountain road to their home, was devastated in many places trapping them and others. A neighbor (community president & veteran), who works with excavators, gathered a crew of men, heavy duty equipment, and took action removing the devastation. A tireless task of clearing mudslides, trees, huge rocks and debris off the road to rescue them. On Monday September 30th , he reached them by excavator and said “ I have never seen anything like this and you need to evacuate immediately”.

It was terrifying ! Daya will never forget the fear in her daughter’s eyes at that moment. She gathered whatever important documents and supplies before being helped to evacuate. Daya originally from Australia and had no family to evacuate to. Fortunately, a friend had a basement studio apartment available 40 minutes away. Pictures cannot describe the devastation and the unbelievable force of nature. Ironically Daya moved from Florida to escape hurricanes just 6 years earlier when her daughter was born. The Hurricane was likely to happen in Asheville, as is likely for a blizzard in south Florida or a tidal wave in Idaho. This storm is the worst since Hurricane Katrina and spread across 6 states. There was no real warning. It happened so fast. And once the ball was rolling the destruction was almost instant. No way to prepare. People had their neighborhoods washed away in front of them, others on roof tops with family members being sweep away, drowning in front of their eyes. Mountain mudslides devoured homes, as water carried semi-trailer trucks into the side of houses. Rescue workers have been finding bodies for weeks with excavators as they continue to clean the river beds. Daya doesn't dwell on the difficulty she is faces. Instead she is focused on surviving and finding security for herself, daughter and pets.

There is no time line for when the power company can even get up her mountain to restore electricity or water as the road is impassable.

Daya, will never forget all those who have reached out to her heart felt with concern.

You can only imagine what it would be like losing your home, and not knowing when you can return, if ever. Daya has not been able to work in 44 days due to the main water supply to the city of Asheville be destroyed by the hurricane. The business that she works at and many others were forced to close after the storm. Many will never reopen.

One of the powerful things we have seen is neighbor helping neighbor, strangers helping strangers, the kindness of humanity. Selflessness like no other. Care, commitment and compassion. This is what brings us all together.

We are looking to raise funds to help Daya, her daughter, three cats and a fish (Bluey),

to help make it through this challenging time. Daya is a giver and always looks to help others elevate their lives. If you can help her in anyway, your kindness, care and compassion is deeply appreciated. Bless you all and thank you!

The goal is to raise $8,300 towards rent for housing, food, bills and daily expenses. Thank You with an Open Heart

Dennis.