Woof Pack Strong: Stand with Melissa in Rebuilding

Sponsored By: April Smith & Laura Joslin

Goal: $50,000

Misson: Supporting Melissa Helms in her efforts to rebuild and recover from the damage to her Woof Pack Training Center and property caused when Hurricane Helene tore through. For years, Melissa has poured her heart and soul into serving the NC High County through her unparalleled dedication to dogs and their families, offering exceptional training, boarding and daycare services, while never missing an opportunity to volunteer her time and resources to countless rescues and shelters. Melissa’s Woof Pack Training Center and her services have been a cornerstone of the community for years, and with your help, will be again.

Learn More About Melissa and Woof Pack Pet Services.

https://woof-pack.net/

https://www.facebook.com/woofpackdogtrainingboone

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063685294974

Why Melissa needs your help: Like so many people she had insurance, but all of her insurance claims were denied, FEMA was unable to assist and the list of necessary repairs is long and expensive. Luckily, she was awarded some grant money that helped offset some of the repair costs of the mudslide at the training center but there is a long list of necessary repairs left which she simply cannot afford to pay for out of pocket. Melissa has been fortunate to receive $31,000 in funding from grants, including the Flo Davis Memorial, along with monetary gifts from clients. However, her repair costs amount to approximately $73,300, not including the income lost during the training center's closure. Melissa has been resistant to the idea of a fundraiser but has finally come to terms with the fact that she needs help.

With this fundraiser, we hope to help her get back to normal operations, recover from her losses and continue her incredible work.

More About Melissa: Melissa is a tireless advocate for our furry companions. She has spent countless hours in our community volunteering and supporting local animal shelters & rescues, participating in fundraisers for local businesses and charities, visiting local schools, hospitals and nursing homes with therapy dogs, rescuing dozens of dogs herself and more. Melissa’s generosity towards both the community she calls home and the canine community in general has made them better places for all of us, and now you have a chance to help her.

So, we come to you now with a heartfelt plea to help a remarkable woman who is a vital part of our community. Your donation, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference. Every dollar raised will go directly toward property and facility repairs and the replacement of damaged equipment, ensuring that Melissa can continue her legacy of service. In true dog lover fashion, Melissa has said, if there are any funds left after the bills are paid, she intends to pay it forward and donate anything left to local rescues and shelters (Partner's Canines, Watauga Humane Society, Ashe Animal Control, MisFit Hounds and Rescue Dog).

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and for being part of this journey to help rebuild a place where lives—both two-legged and four-legged—are forever changed for the better.

The Training Center List:

· A mudslide, requiring repairs with slope stabilization. (Cost $35,000)

*This repair has been mostly completed thankfully, allowing her to reopen the training center for smaller scale classes in late February.

· Driveway damage requiring repairs, including grading, gravel and guardrail replacement (Cost $3,000)

· Outside training yard damage requiring repairs including fencing replacement (Cost $1,800)

· Approximately 6” of water flooded the training center, requiring extensive cleanup (Cost $3,000)

· Damage or complete destruction of years’ worth of equipment & supplies that require replacement (Cost $3,500)

· Additionally, the training center was completely closed for 4.5 months so Melissa was without her primary income source for months.

The Boarding & Daycare Center List:

· A mudslide requiring repairs and slope stabilization. (Cost estimate $25,000)

· Arborist services to remove partially broken/dangling limbs ($ $2,000)