My name is Jill Swanson Jennings, and I live in northwest GA where, thankfully, we survived Hurricane Helene with little damage. Many of my Miami friends, over the years, have moved to the North Carolina mountains where the devastation is catastrophic.

After a week, I was finally able to contact my grade school friend John (Memi) Hilley in Elk Park, NC (Avery County). His situation is dire, as well as for all who live there, and help is still a long way off. In the cases of 21 of his neighbors who are still missing when washed out by the Elk River, help may be too late. Memi has lost everything, which at 71 years old, is no small thing.

I am asking for financial help to assist Memi in obtaining items of immediate importance - gasoline, generators, water, food, and clothing, as well as to help pay expenses for heavy equipment personnel. Memi remains on the ground in Avery County, having no alternative than to stay put to pick up the pieces and go forward, but he needs our help. Communication is sketchy - as I understand it, the kitchen and bathroom of his home were not damaged, while trees remain on top of his bedroom and living room, so he is making do, although, without water or power, I cannot imagine how.

Because communications are so intermittent, I am asking that you send your donations to me and I will forward it on to Memi. Thank you so much, my friends, no amount is too small.

Love to all,

Jill