Please help Yancey County recover from Helene’s destruction

My name is Candie Smith and Yancey County needs your help. My husband and I fell in love with Yancey County and the people of Yancey County two years ago. So much that we sold everything and moved here. Yancey County is a place where I know our UPS packages will be delivered by Billy, and Steve delivers my mail. Every time I mail my lodging taxes, I put a sticky note for Brandy. Shane is our Sheriff, and he answers my texts. I know all of the deputies on a first-name basis and know they would help me out anytime, anywhere. I know Cotton and Sharon walk past every day, and when I saw him for the first time after the storm, he hugged me so big, trembled, cried, and wouldn’t let go. Cotton and Sharon are OK, but their son, who lives right behind them, lost his home and shop to the river. I know Gordon at Ingles will load the truck for me when I buy ice in bulk. I know William at the store down the road always has time for a chat. This is the epitome of small-town America.

On September 27th, Hurricane Helene ravaged and devastated Yancey County. These people have never seen anything like this. It is a war zone here. Roads are gone, communities are gone, homes are gone, people are gone. So many people have lost everything. I personally know people whose homes have been washed away by a river that was never supposed to get that high.

The people in this community would do anything to help a neighbor or stranger out and would gladly give you the shirt off their back. These are mountain people, and they are resilient and will survive, but they need help. The only thing holding this community together right now are the locals and volunteers. Every penny that is donated will go right back into this community. It will go to help with rescue, food, medical supplies, building supplies, whatever is needed. And if you would like to designate where you want your donation to go, I am happy to do that.

Any donation is appreciated. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you.