On September 27th, 2024 hurricane Helene slammed into Florida and carved a path of destruction through Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and western North Carolina. Kristi’s parents Bruce and Lois were unable to evacuate before flooding began in their Marion, NC home and they were trapped in their house by rising water. They had already said their goodbyes to each other. A neighbor was able to call 911 for help and a swift water rescue team arrived for the neighbor. Luckily they were able to scream for help while her dad was perched on a dresser and her mom on a ladder. The rescue team heard their calls for help and were able to get them out of the house along with their 19 year old cat, Lulu. Kristi was able to go get them from a shelter the following day and bring them back to her home here in Mebane, NC.

Since then, Kristi has been driving to Marion every day, delivering supplies and salvaging what she can from her childhood home. At the same time she is helping her husband, Gil, manage his chemotherapy treatments. Kristi is usually the one organizing fundraising and providing help to others. This time, she needs us to come together and help save her parents’ house in Marion, NC. The house has to be completely gutted fairly quickly to have any chance for rehabilitation. We are asking for donations to help Kristi fund this cleanup effort to save her parents’ home and help them out during this difficult time.