Hello,

My name is Bob Burnette. I am from Western North Carolina and have lived here the majority of my life. My job is in tourism, and I work for a company that puts together educational tours of many different cities throughout the US. Touring people around amazing places is truly an honor. In my opinion, travel is one of life's greatest joys and I love to be able to provide this service.

As many of you already know, Hurricane Helene absolutely ravaged WNC. I have been deep in thought about what I can do to help. Of course, I have given money to local charities and still continue to support the local economy and community. But what is something within my skill set? Lord knows I can't work a chainsaw or build anything with my hands.

A thought struck me one night that many people need something to look forward to and to also have an opportunity to have their voices heard with their experience. I would like to organize a trip for people from WNC who were affected by the storm to travel to Washington, DC to tour our nation's capital. I want them first and foremost to enjoy themselves, while seeing the memorials, touring Arlington National Cemetery, and enjoying world-class museums. In a bipartisan manor, I also want these folks to meet their NC legislators, giving them the first hand opportunity to dialogue with them about their stories, ongoing struggles, and to speak directly to the people that represent them. Another objective to go to FEMA's headquarters and meet with folks that made decisions helping our area. My aim will be high with attempting a tour of the White House (It's a tough one to get), and maybe whoever lives at 1600 Penn Ave might be interested in meeting some folks that survived the most catastrophic event WNC has ever seen. I will try, no promises on that! I will talk to anyone that will listen.

There will be an opportunity for anyone to nominate individuals or families that are deserving of this trip. A local panel will review applications to select the recipients. The qualifications will be based on finding folks who suffered greatly, first responders and people who have given so much of their time to these communities for relief efforts. This will be the next step after the monetary goal is met.

My overall goal is to get enough people to travel by luxury motor coach from WNC to DC on a four-day, fully guided, all-inclusive trip. I will be the trip organizer, getting all reservations for the hotel, meals, and appointments. My expertise is guiding trips in Washington DC and have done so for 15 years. I will be doing this for no pay for myself; all money that is raised will go directly to the trip.

The trip will be on the year anniversary of Helene, Sept 25 - Sep 29, 2025.

Please help in making this idea a reality. I greatly appreciate anything you can give for this, and thank you for your time.