Help Re-Open Ms. Josie's Home and Community

Hi, my name is KC Edmonds. As a Greenville native who grew up in Blue Ridge and hiked most trails across Western North Carolina, I have a sweet spot for our rural Carolina communities. My dad's family came from Mills River North Carolina, and my mom's family lived on Glassy Mountain in the "hollers" of northern Greenville. After Hurricane Helene, my Greenville community and family were immensely inconvenienced by power outages, no internet, some flooding, and downed trees. However, our WNC neighbors have been devastated. Homes are obliterated. Livelihoods gone. Transportation means and access completely removed. Totally hopeless.

That is why I began working with the Veterans Relief support group to best serve in need communites across NC, and why Greenville Area Veteran and Remote Aid Volunteer Group was created. Our volunteer led group is dedicated to Greenville County SC Residents and surrounding areas supporting relief and recovery efforts for Veterans and remote communites across WNC that have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. Our page:

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/kNZCRVb9uosvhQb4/

A native of Barnardsville, NC, Ms. Josie, 73, remains on the mountain where she and her eight siblings were raised in a one-room log cabin. When volunteers first approached her homestead, Ms. Josie welcomed them with a smile, refusing donations and saying, "I have everything I need." Unfortunately, Ms. Josie and her husband, Larry, 79, lost their home due to mudslides and flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. She showed volunteers where her humble 500-700 sqft, 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home with a river-facing porch once stood, now reduced to a few cinder blocks in the river bed. Ms. Josie shared that the floodwaters swept away her car keys, teeth, and cherished family mementos. Being a true southern host, Ms. Josie offered the volunteers eggs from her chickens and leftover bacon, inviting them to return soon. She pointed out the nearby field where her husband was born, the beautiful flowers her son grew, and expressed gratitude to the neighbors who have taken them in temporarily.

Ms. Josie, a shining embodiment of true mountain resilience, deserves a haven to reclaim her serenity. Since she didn't have any homeowners insurance, we're starting with a $20,000 goal, knowing it's just the beginning. Every dollar fuels the restoration of her home through site cleanup, planning, sourcing and rebuilding a place where she fills safe and at home once more. Any extra funds post rebuild will empower Ms. Josie and her family to rise above future adversity.

Ms. Josie's story is not the only heartbreaking one on this mountain. So many have lived below the poverty line in this region already, and are now homeless, jobless, car-less and hopeless. We will continue to share donation opportunities and stories as we identify high need families, Veterans, Seniors, and disabled individuals in WNC. PLEASE FOLLOW and SHARE https://www.facebook.com/share/g/mAQPqv8bAJwDBmm4

Pour hope and love back to life for our neighbors. We know that we are better together! Much Gratitude.