Hi everyone, I’m Sarah. I’m from Mooresville, North Carolina and spent roughly half of my childhood in areas affected by Hurricane Helene, throughout Western North Carolina. My family has lived full-time in a very small town outside of Banner Elk, NC, comprised of less than 400 people, for nearly a decade. Most of the surrounding towns have less than 1,000 inhabitants, with Banner Elk having one of the larger populations in the area, at roughly 1,100 people.

While the relief funds from the Red Cross and other similar organizations are always a great resource to donate to, it’s likely most of the funds donated there will go to the rebuilding and relief of larger communities in WNC, like Boone and Asheville. The devastation experienced outside of these larger cities has been unfathomable and beyond heart breaking. Peoples homes, vehicles, and lives were swept away in the flooding, and many of the families in these small towns do not have the means to survive, repair, or rebuild. The majority of Western NC is still without power and cell service. Roads are destroyed and bridges have been swept away, leaving people trapped in what’s left of their homes. As mentioned, relief efforts will likely be focused on larger demographics first, and it may be weeks or months before families are able to get out safely, have power, cell service, or receive any sort of aid.

Businesses in and around Banner Elk depend on tourism in fall and winter months to get by. People travel from all over the country to visit these small towns. From the weeks in October when families visit to see the leaves on the trees completing their metamorphosis to the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of fall, to picking out their family’s Christmas tree in November, to ski trips all winter long at Beech or Sugar Mountain. These next few months are crucial for the local economies, but Hurricane Helene has put an immediate stop to the tourism season.

My goal is to help provide relief to Banner Elk, Heaton, Elk Park, Newland, and other surrounding small towns. The money raised will go towards supplies to rebuild the communities affected and to help relieve families left without homes or access to food and safe water.

If you are interested in donating your time, supplies, or labor to the area please let me know and I will be glad to help get you in contact with the right people.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated. ♥️

*NOTE: Some photos below are not my own and were shared on local Facebook pages.*