Hi, my name is Kelli Clare and I am fundraising for myself. In the wake of the big storm that passed through WNC on Sept 27, I have become houseless, jobless, moneyless, and soon to be carless with my 2 beloved dogs. It is my intention to purchase a car so I have mobility and shelter.

This past year was already on the books as a challenging year. As a caretaker of properties, several opportunities didn’t work out causing me to relocate several times around the Asheville area.  I landed in Burnsville, NC, Yancey County in August, at a home where light construction was taking place and I was to  manage. The owner and I had no contract, just a verbal agreement. A mistake I will not make again. 

Helene was intense, and a story unto itself. We had catastrophic flooding in my area, as well as major damages to homes and land. Rescue efforts went on all day. We were left cut off from the outside world and helped each other without power or running water for weeks. It took 5 days for outside help to access us.

The following weeks were a scramble of finding cell service to communicate and resources. With our limited open and damaged roads, finding resources were an all day affair. . After talking with the homeowner about the conditions of the area and home, it was decided it was best for me to leave. Power wouldn’t be restored for months and the road was difficult and trying to pass.  

The last 4 months have been a nightmare of survival for basic needs. Finding affordable rent in a market already high with 30,000 people displaced from the storm is overwhelming. 3 months ago, I can across a dog in bad shape on the side of the road and felt inspired to help. Shelters and rescues are full. I now have 2 dogs, this one being blind and deaf and has “special needs”.  I have been blessed and have been able to get out of the cold with generously donated airbnbs that allow me choices in food, safety for myself and dogs, but are temporary. My car is our  most stable home right now and is unsafe to drive any longer. 

I’ve applied through government agencies, local non profits for resource help. The needs are immense out here in WNC and they’re not enough resources to help everyone.  It’s hard to push yourself through lists when there are so many people with children, elderly, with medical conditions needing hope as well. It’s been a delicate balance of self advocacy and letting go. 

My car has been through a lot. I’ve pushed it through landslides, up rough driveways and roads, through water and wreckage. My electrical system hasn’t worked properly since the storm, although my car wasn’t flooded. A diagnosis showed many leaks, head gasket replacement, along with a control arm resulting in an estimated $4000. There is also body damage, new brakes and tires, as well as figuring out transmission issues to assess. My car is out of oil every time I use it, it is stinky and smoky and I no longer feel safe driving it. It is also my stable home. I am in an Airbnb generously given to me until the 28th and then I have no car, no home, no work, and no money. I oscillate from moments of acceptance to feeling very vulnerable, afraid of the unknown.

This experience has been challenging to say the least. Not only my personal story and experience has overwhelmed me, but collectively as well. I am reaching out for myself in hopes to gather enough donations to purchase a new-to-me car, a rental car to drive to find a car (slim pickings out here), as well as at least 6 months of insurance, register it, and hopefully have a little left over to find housing. Any act of kindness will be received with the utmost care and respect on my behalf. Thank you so much for your time and considering my cause.