Community Grows in WNC for Youth Healing Journals

On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. Even with all the pictures on media, it is unfathomable what took place in this region. Homes, cars, and families were washed away in the floods and tree fell like matchsticks, while landslides surrounded and decimated anything in its way. When we came up for air, literally in some cases, the amount of destruction brought this community to its knees. Without missing a beat, this community and many from far and wide began rescuing, digging out and being of service to one another. In all this destruction, we discovered love, compassion and an incredible giving community from within and welcomed those from afar. As the days turned to weeks and tears and hugs flowed, I witnessed such a beautiful coming together. I asked my niece, Kelsey, to help me create the logo. We want to honor the community that fund itself in the decimation of the physical. That is why the shirts celebrate the community. However, my heart was called to help the children to heal from the emotional and psychological anxiety and fear that emerged during this challenging time. With the sells to the shirts, we are going to pay for journals created to help the children process the events of September 27 and the weeks beyond... We are going to start with 5th graders, giving them the journals and the directions as to the best way to use them to process the internal effects of Hurricane Helene on them individually. Healing is so much more than fixing the roads and rebuilding homes. We must rebuild our feelings of safety and comfort. Thank you for taking the time to read this story. I hope it has touched your heart and moved you to help us out with this fundraiser.