Help Sarah Vekasi in Black Mountain, NC Recover From Helene.

My name is Sarah Vekasi, and many know me in Black Mountain, NC as Sarah Sunshine from my shop Sarah Sunshine Pottery. I am a full-time potter, with a small store on Cherry Street, in the heart of downtown Black Mountain, NC. I have a pottery studio near my home a couple of blocks away, where I make all of the pottery that I sell. I am also a trained chaplain, an active member of my community and family, and a human to one loving dog named Griffin.

Last week, our sweet, small mountain communities in the whole Asheville area were devastated by Hurricane Helene. The rains began here about five days before, so when the hurricane hit, the ground was already saturated, and flooding was guaranteed. But nothing like this has ever hit Black Mountain. The damage is thorough and devastating. My home sustained significant damage from trees falling on the roof, across the road, on my car, chicken coop, and tool shed, and nearly taking our lives. My parents were with me through the hurricane. We will never forget the roar of the wind, the intense amounts of water, the fear, the sounds, and the profound vulnerability of it all. The ferocity. It was, and still remains, terrifying.

We survived. Many did not. The grief is palpable.

And I still have more left than many around me. I am grateful. My store and studio have both miraculously survived this hurricane. Our community is strong, but the damage is truly devastating on every level, and it will be months, or maybe years, for Black Mountain to heal.

A week later, our whole region is still without water. Some have power restored. We barely have cellular coverage. I haven’t seen any news or the internet in what feels like forever. I can see the power lines to my home and to the studio all mangled on the ground, ripped off my buildings, so it will still be a while. FEMA is in town. One World Kitchen is here. And so many helpers are coming in from everywhere to help us.

Thank you.

And we need help.

And in the midst of the horrors, I am creating this fundraiser to sustain me economically through this crisis, because I too need help.

My business was thriving before Helene. And it will continue to thrive. I am determined. I pay my employees a living wag, and can always pay the mortgage on time. But like many makers and small business owners, I don’t make enough money in sales to pay myself for the pottery I make all year round until the end of the fourth quarter. Fifty-five percent of my annual sales are usually made between October 1st through New Year's, and as of right now, my shop is closed until further notice.

If you can help me survive economically, please give generously. I am so grateful. If you know me, you know that I always lift others up in my community. This will help me continue to be here.

Right now, I am still deep in survival mode. Traumatized and forever changed. I can see a future toward recovery mode, and a big part of that is knowing this enormous financial weight is a little bit less crushing. The funds raised will be used directly to pay bills, buy food and cover living expenses. I welcome all donations to help restore and rebuild and survive this time of devastation.

Thank you so much.

Appreciate y'all immensely.

Black Mountain and Swannanoa Forever

-Sarah Vekasi