Mother & Daughter Rebuild in Asheville: Support Needed!

UPDATE!

This GoFundMe campaign embraces both Jennifer (my sister) and Suzannah (Jennifer's daughter and my beloved niece). Jennifer moved into Suzannah's cove 18 months ago and took up residence in the little wood-stove heated house while Suzannah started sleeping in the music studio (sans bathroom or kitchen, but with heat pump - which may or may not still be working!)

So whatever has been donated to Jennifer will also aid Suzannah and vice-versa. Suzannah is also a self-employed singer and music group leader and (wonder-of-wonders) recently completed a survivalist course!

Here are updates on their activity on Fisher Lane in Asheville:

(text messages from Jennifer:)

"I don’t know how much FEMA assistance we will get but we may be looking at repairs of $20,000 at least. This is so crazy. Here are some photos:

Tree blocking road (thank god it missed the truck!)

The trees on the studio roof; The edge of the studio roof with no soffit or gutter and maybe no working half split (heat pump) don’t know yet.

The water collected in buckets for toilet flushing (we each get one flush a day!) with the fire pit and the brush pile from the trees cleared from the roof. We have at least 15 more trees down or leaning or hung up in other trees that need to be cleared.

Here's the crew clearing the tree. Did I tell you I gave them all apricot pecan cake when they were finished?

Nick walked up Fisher Lane last night in the dark, after working all day in the River Arts District, to bring me a headlamp so I can read at night!! So sweet.

Hi Sister, It’s Sunday and Suzannah and I are on the front porch after going up to friends in Weaverville who have power, Internet and hot running water!! We took showers!!! Wahoo!! Quite a good afternoon after a rough morning.

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Thank you all SO MUCH for your amazing generosity and support. They are both so grateful for the outpouring of love from this wide community of friends. On behalf of my sister and niece ~ THANK YOU!

Rebecca

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Petition for Donations: Help a Musician Rebuild After Asheville Flooding

Dear friends, family, and community members,

I’m reaching out today with an urgent request to help my sister and your dear friend, Jennifer Armstrong, a talented musician based in Asheville who has been devastated by the historic flooding.

The flood not only caused widespread destruction but also hit Jennifer hard, both personally and professionally. As a full-time musician, Jennifer depends on live performances to make a living. This month her main income was to be her work as MC at The National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, TN, which has been completely canceled. Due to the flooding and closing of schools and libraries, all of her other bookings for the month have also been canceled, leaving her without the income needed to cover essential expenses, let alone the unexpected costs of repairs to home.

Yesterday I heard from a friend that Jennifer was the only one in her neighborhood who could cook, because her stove is propane-powered. She and her daughter, Suzannah, were making huge pots of soup for everyone in their cove. At dusk Jennifer stood on her front porch and played the bagpipes to call the neighbors to the communal feast. That image rings so true to the heart and soul of who Jennifer is as a musician and a human being - glorious!

In this time of need, I am boldly asking for your support. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help Jennifer get back on her feet. Your generosity will not only restore her home and pantry, but also bring hope to an artist whose work brings so much joy to others.

As Jennifer herself would say in signing off: EXCELSIOR!