Help Larry and Rebecca, Who Lost Everything to Helene

Dear friends, family, and community,

I am reaching out to you support of Larry French, a beloved English instructor and part of the Literature and Language family at East Tennessee State University, where he has worked for the past 18 years. On Friday, September 27, Larry and his wife Rebecca lost their home and all of their belongings to Hurricane Helene.

Larry was at home when water began to come up through the vents. Soon the floor started moving, and Larry got out just in time. From higher ground, he watched his home snap in half and float away on the high floodwaters of Roan Creek, which had become a raging river. If you look at the photos below, you will see the land where his and Rebecca's home used to be now full of only branches, a few stray boards, a metal chimney top, and the red shelf where they stored their CDs.

Larry is a former Marine who served in Vietnam and received both a Purple Heart and the Presidential Unit Citation. He has worked for the U. S. Postal Service, and he and Rebecca have both worked with individuals in our community who have special needs. Both are graduates of ETSU, where Larry earned his Masters in English and Rebecca earned a Nursing degree.

Both Larry and Rebecca serve this community in crucial ways. Larry is a popular and dedicated teacher, and he has dedicated his life to helping young people learn to think critically and express themselves clearly. Rebecca works as a case manager for Ballad Health, and she has served this community as a nurse for 28 years. After giving so much care to this community, Larry and Rebecca now find themselves in need of care themselves.

I understand that this is a time of great need in our region, which has been devastated by these floods, and that there are people in need of assistance everywhere you turn. If you can spare even a little to help Larry and Rebecca, I know they will be deeply grateful. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference. And if you cannot donate, please do consider sharing this campaign with others, who may be in a position to help.

Thank you, each of you, for your kindness and support.

Sincerely,

Dan Westover