Donation protected
We were encouraged by friends and family to set this up to help us during the transition from the aftermath of the hurricane. Our home was one of the many lost to Helene in Western North Carolina last week.
On the morning of Friday September 27th, the hurricane force winds and several feet of rain fall caused a very large 150+ foot oak tree to fall directly on our house while we were inside sheltering from the storm. Thankfully neither of us or our little Yorkie were injured and made it out safely that morning. However our house did suffer immense damage with the ceilings collapsing in the living room, dining room, and bathroom—with cracking of the walls and ceilings throughout the remainder of the house from the weight of the tree pressing down. Our Subaru was parked directly in front of the fallen tree, so the car received damage from the tree roots ripping off the front bumper.
The next morning we sadly discovered that our renters insurance was not in place like we thought. It was a bill we had on autopay for years, and a few months ago received a new debit card and we did not get updated with the company so our policy was voided. This was a gut punch on top of everything we were already processing. We have had incredible help already salvaging anything we could from inside the house, with only some furniture being left behind as it was directly under the fallen debris.
The funds donated will now help us with—
- Groceries to replenish our food supply wherever we end up in the future
- Gas traveling back and forth from our house to Charlotte, as we are temporarily staying with my twin sister and her boyfriend while we finish cleaning out around our home while much of our county remains without power, and while we determine our next place to live
- Gas for our friends and family that are still in need as we have been bringing fuel for them each trip to help as we can as there is little to no fuel in our town currently
- Car repair fees to fix the bumper of our damaged Subaru
- Lost wages for Heather as her small buisness The Bronzerie on Main Street Rutherfordton will need to be closed temporarily as we navigate our living situation
- Replacement furniture or items needed for our future residence, and costs associated with moving
- Any additional funds once we are settled again in the upcoming weeks will be immediately passed on to our friends who have also lost their homes, personal belongings, or are dealing with lost wages
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story. I can’t express our gratitude, and I really want to emphasize our desire to help others with this fund as well. We feel so thankful to even have what we have at this time, as others in our area have lost so much more than we have. This catastrophic storm caught us all by surprise so we are forever appreciative of YOUR support during these difficult time. Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
-Heather Abele + Gabriel Abele
Organizer
Heather Abele
Organizer
Rutherfordton, NC