Help Taylor ~Single Mom of 3~ Rebuild after Hurricane Helene

UPDATE: MOLD EVERYWHERE! ENTIRE HOME GUTTED! So many holes and mold from top to bottom—through & through. Now, six months after Hurricane Helene struck, they are still anxiously waiting for the chance to rebuild and restore a sense of stability.

My name is Itha Trantham, Taylor’s mom and proud grandmother to her amazing children. Alongside her dad, Tim—known as “Coach” to many—we are reaching out on behalf of Taylor Trantham, a loving single mother of three whose world was turned upside down in a single night.

It is never easy to share someone’s heartache—let alone ask for help—especially when Hurricane Helene brought such widespread devastation to so many lives.

The night Helene hit Western North Carolina, Taylor quickly realized the magnitude of the storm. And as the fierce winds and torrential rain pounded against their home it was the sound of the trees cracking and crashing down all around them was the most terrifying. Taylor feared for their lives, and urgently called for evacuation. Help never came. But she held on, praying they would survive—doing everything in her power to keep her three babies safe—uncertain of what the next moment would bring. That night would change everything!

Knowing they had to find a safer place and got the children ready to brave the wind and the rain to get to the lower level. Prayers answered as she opened the door to find a neighbor standing in the doorway. The cracking become increasing louder then—in a split second—with a mother’s instinct and every ouce of strength she had, Taylor thrust little Elias into the arms of the neighbor and as if her legs became arms themselves, she propelled Alora and Noah out of the way as a massive 60-foot tree came crashing in at the spot they had just stood. By a miracle, they all survived—unscathed!

Though their home remained standing, it suffered extensive damage and the continuous deluge of water pouring in further made it uninhabitable. Now, Taylor faces the long, overwhelming road to rebuild. Her strength, determination, and faith remain a testament to the power of a mother’s love.

Though it has now been six months since the hurricane, their home still sits gutted as Taylor has trudged through endless maze of documentation, phone calls, forms, and emails. With fingers tightly crossed, we still hold onto hope that they will soon return home. For now, they live in a rental.

It is beyond daunting—for anyone—let alone a single mom, to try to pay a mortgage on a home you cannot live in, help your children understand the loss of their house as well as their school—all while trying to maintain her work, and somehow find the time and the funds to rebuild. Taylor needs our help!

We humbly ask for your support with their rebuilding efforts. Any donation—large or small—or even supplies, would make an incredible impact. Even if you are unable to give financially—your words of encouragement, prayers, and sharing their story with others means the everything.

From mortgage payments to drywall, electrical wire and appliances, they need it all. And in order to comply with GoFundMe guidelines, we need to list some of the estimated costs.

Roofing: $12,000

Drywall: $7,000

Electrical: $2,500

Floor repair/replace: $10,000

Mold removal: $3,500

Not to mention the cost of demolition, debris removal, foundation repair, septic repair, plumbing, HVAC, insulation costs, cabinets, countertops, appliances, doors, fixtures, tree removal—the list goes on. We continue to hope FEMA will eventually help cover some expenses.

If you know Taylor—from her years as an elementary school teacher, or as a student at West, Rugby, Glen Marlow, or Brevard—you know she is the first to lend a hand and uplift those going through hard times. Always meeting life’s challenges with positivity, resilience, and unwavering faith—Taylor has worked hard to build a beautiful, magical life for her children—only to watch it nearly vanish overnight. Now she needs us to help her.

Please join us in helping Taylor, Alora, Noah, and Elias rebuild after the storm. Your thoughts, prayers, and generosity mean more than words can say.

With heartfelt gratitude, Itha & "Coach" Tim Trantham (Mills River, NC)

For GoFundMe verification purposes: This fundraiser is being organized by Taylor’s family—her parents, Tim and Itha Trantham of Mills River, NC. All donations go directly to rebuilding Taylor’s home after Hurricane Helene. 100% of funds are sent directly to Taylor and her children.