Gardens for Living, based in Asheville, NC, is no stranger to creating beauty out of nature. Founded by John Phillips more than 30 years ago, Gardens for Living is fueled by a passion to create landscapes that are truly exceptional in both beauty and functionality.

Their landscape has drastically changed in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Their shop and the majority of their equipment was destroyed in the floods following Hurricane Helene. The Phillips family home, as well as homes of their employees, have undertaken major damage.

Right now, they are focused on doing what they can to support their community, their team, and their clients. Any donation is helpful to help get them back up and running.

Shane Phillips, son of John and Portia and Maintenance Manager of GFL, shared these words earlier this week:

"As I sat thinking about this note this morning, the beautiful songbirds and crisp fall air reminded me of how fortunate we are. Just a few days ago, we were fighting for our lives and home, fearing we would lose everything. Brush Creek, which flows beside our home and business, swelled to a monstrous 300 feet wide river, engulfing our property. The water rose to 3-4 feet deep, several inches above our back porch doors at our home. My daughters, Ella (13), Elise (11), and Emerie (9), were upstairs, terrified, crying out to God for our safety. Melissa, Mom, Dad, and I were downstairs, battling to keep our home from being swept away, unable to comfort them. We watched helplessly from our front porch as our shop was submerged by the rising river.Dad has dedicated the past 40 years to building this business for our family. I grew up watching him work as hard as any man I've ever known. My wife and I joined him 12 years ago, and building this business together has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Four years ago, Dad and I invested everything we had into purchasing this home and property, dreaming of what it would mean for our family, Gardens For Living employees, and customers.

This hurricane has been devastating beyond words. We have lost so much, and we're only beginning to process it. Our shop and offices will need to be completely gutted and renovated. We have lost at least half of our small equipment and as much as a third of our large equipment and trucks, and we're still assessing the damage. Dad's family farm and nursery, a crucial part of our business, will need to be rebuilt from the ground up. Although our home survived the storm, our crawlspace was submerged in water for hours, and I'm concerned about mold and the safety of my family.

Despite all this, Mom, Dad, Melissa, my children, and I are grateful to God that we didn't lose everything. Yesterday, Dad showed me a video of someone we know weeping as their home was washed away. In Garren Creek, just a few miles from our home and business, a massive mudslide swept away homes, killing the families inside. A firefighter we helped remove a dead horse from a barn told us there might be as many as 40 dead in that small community alone. We were told displaced children were wandering around naked, searching for their parents. One of my friends, who now lives out of state, is trying to return home because his parents died in the storm. Their family was highly respected in our community, and their loss is a significant blow to Fairview, North Carolina.

I share these stories to give you a sense of the challenges we face as a family, business, and community. But please know that we haven't lost faith, given up on our dreams, or lost hope. Yesterday, 13 of our Gardens For Living family and team came together to begin the rebuild at our shop and home. I couldn't hold back tears as I hugged and thanked my friends and coworkers. I was filled with gratitude for their presence and thankful that they were alive.

I never imagined I would experience anything like this. The things I used to worry about as a business owner seem insignificant compared to the concern of whether your coworkers are still alive. We don't know what the days and weeks ahead hold, but we are starting the process of rebuilding as a family, Gardens For Living family, and community. When I looked at our team working together yesterday, I saw hope, strength, and love. The love of God and the family around me gives me the confidence that we will all get through this.

In the days ahead, WNC needs your prayers, love, and support. As Dad and I told our team yesterday, the most important thing we can do in times like these is stick together as a family, team, and community. That community includes you. Thank you for the love and support you've shown. I know that together, we will emerge from these waters stronger than ever before."

Fundraiser is organized by Crystal Walton, CFO of Element Outdoor Living, colleague and friend of the Phillips family. All donations will be given to the Phillips to help with rebuilding efforts for themselves, their employees, and their community.