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Hi everyone,
Like for so many you, this past week has been a blur. In the days after the devastation that Hurricane Helene brought to hundreds of communities across the Southeast, we have slowly begun to hear from our family in Asheville, North Carolina.
This is a fundraiser for my cousins, Aubrey & Shanda and my Aunt Frances (my father’s sister):
I grew up in Texas but my father, David Woodfin Boone, was born and raised in Asheville, NC. My family goes back many generations in the Appalachian region, particularly Yancey, Buncombe and Madison counties. My grandfather, Riley Ransom Boone and my great-grandfather, William Cornelius Boone are buried in Mars Hill Cemetery just north of Asheville.
Initially we were preparing to take relief donations from Wilmington, NC, where we live, and drive up to Asheville. Our cousin told us to stay put for now, that it is not safe to do so. While thankful that everyone in our family was located, we do know that it has already been a huge financial strain for them.
My Aunt Frances, who is in her 80s, has taken in five members of our family that were displaced by Helene. Wishing we could head up there and offer our support and give everyone a huge hug, we came to the decision that what they most needed is financial assistance in covering some the costs caused by Hurricane Helene.
It won’t erase what happened or magically fix their devastated communities, but it will help with the necessities as they coordinate the disaster relief. It will help them slowly repair the damage and replace what was destroyed.
The reality is that the costs will be astronomical over the coming weeks, months and even years. My wife was with her parents when Sandy hit New Jersey and as shocking as that was, she knows it is nothing in comparison to what happened from Hurricane Helene. And she saw firsthand the years it took for certain communities to get their basic services back.
Growing up in Texas, I visited with my family in western North Carolina only a handful of times. When my now wife and I decided to move to Asheville in 2018, I contacted my cousin once we arrived. Before I knew it, we were embraced by my entire family, invited regularly to birthdays, family reunions and cookouts.
They are the fabric of these North Carolina mountains. They would do anything for their neighbors, literally giving them the shirts off their backs, much like they are doing now. They are genuine, full of love, and always putting others first.
We know in our hearts that the mountains are their home, not just the houses that they live in, but the generations of family that have gathered with other families to make the southern Appalachian mountains one of the most unique and special places in this country. They will rebuild their lives and help rebuild the communities around them. They will teach others what community truly is.
Monica & I are hoping this outreach will lessen the loss and provide assistance as my cousin Aubrey continues to organize and provide. Because of the ongoing issues, we currently have very little contact with him, and no contact with our aunt & her daughter.
This fundraiser will help to repair damage in and around their homes including extensive tree damage, clearing debris and destroyed fencing. It will also be used to replace a significant food loss at Aubrey’s Hendersonville neighborhood diner, an incredible gathering place.
We are not surprised to hear Aubrey has already provided immediate financial assistance to those around him while having incurred huge losses himself. As we receive more information regarding the damage, the costs of cleanup & repair and how this fundraiser is providing that help, we will continue to update everyone here.
We want our family and everyone touched by Hurricane Helene to know, even if we aren’t in the middle of the destruction, not only have we Not forgotten and will not forget, but that there are many other people in this country that are thinking about them and praying for them.
My father, who is no longer with us, wouldn’t have it any other way.
Lots of love,
Philip & Monica Boone
We are asking for contributions to help Aubrey and his family with:
• Repairing and replacing belongings that were destroyed.
• Assisting with day-to-day expenses as they navigate through the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
• Assist in covering the costs of loss at Aubrey’s neighborhood diner.
• Providing food, supplies and housing support to family that were displaced.
Donations will be directly deposited into Aubrey Hollar's account.
My Instagram page is:
Monica’s Instagram page is:
Monica's Facebook page is:
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