Help us bring this project to life!

Hey there! My name is Lainie Robertson. I'm a student filmmaker at Belmont University in Nashville, TN.

In September 2024, my home area of Western North Carolina was hit by the outer bands of Hurricane Helene. This destroyed entire communities, killed 117 people, and left the area nearly $53 billion in debt.

For the past six months my filming partner Lauren McNamara and I have been documenting the volunteer and rehabilitation efforts in WNC post-Helene. This project aims to raise awareness of the help still needed in the area and encourage people to volunteer or donate.

This project also showcases the work ethic and resilience of Appalachian people. My home means so much to me, and it's very important that we give the local people a voice. The stories of rural communities are often overlooked, and we feel it is more important than ever to show the world the impact of natural disasters, months to years after the initial impact.

We are looking to raise money to help us fund our returning film dates, music licensing, access to archival footage, and distribution. Anything helps and is appreciated more than you know!