Help Restore Our Community After Hurricane Helene

Hello, my name is Sawyer Locke, and I’ve lived in Asheville my entire life. I attended IRA B. Jones Elementary School and later moved on to French Broad River Academy for middle school. Now, I'm a sophomore and attend Episcopal High School. Throughout my life, I’ve witnessed the beauty and resilience of our community.

Recently, Hurricane Helene has devastated our southeastern states, causing catastrophic flooding and destruction. Tragically, at least 52 lives have been lost, and millions—including my family and friends—are left without power, water, or internet.

In response to this crisis, I am launching the Southern Appalachia Restoration Project (SARP) to provide immediate support to those affected. My goal is to raise funds to directly assist schools and shelters in our area, and then expand our efforts to clean up the destruction and rebuild our beloved region.

I will begin with Asheville and Buncombe County, focusing specifically on schools and shelters, and gradually reaching out to other communities across Southern Appalachia. Together, we can help our neighbors recover and emerge stronger from this tragedy. Thank you for joining me in this important effort.