I live in a small mountain community recently devastated by the hurricane Helene. Over the past weeks, I have witnessed first-hand the incredible strength and resiliency of this community. Volunteers jumped into action before emergency crews could respond; first freeing vehicles and access roads, then establishing routes to medical care and shelters, creating central supply distribution centers and finally locating loved ones who were still unaccounted for…and there were many.

As the the mud flows dry and recovery begins, we are slowly unburying ourselves from the wreckage left behind with winter coming soon. Springs and wells need to be rebuilt and new pipes laid where they’d been ripped from the ground. Structures need unburied or torn down as they are no longer safe. Private access roads that are now ravines need to be filled and graded. Most importantly, water drainage systems must be repaired and expanded before spring rains begin and large rain events continue.

As an operator of heavy machinery, I am raising money to purchase an excavator that will be used to support the local rebuild of our small community. With winter on its way and heavy machinery resources spread thin, there is so much urgency to get to work.

I am immensely blessed to be alive and to have an incredible network of family, friends, and colleagues who have reached out to support me. Heartbroken but wholly heartened, I am filled with immense gratitude to you all.

Now it is time to help the good people of this rural mountain community rebuild their lives from the rubble.