It has been almost three months now that Hurricane Helene’s damaging wind and flood waters swept through Western North Carolina. Currently, there are hundreds of people living in tents and temporary housing while they wait for repairs and new construction to take place on their properties.
One North Carolina woman is implementing a helpful idea for the families who are going through terrible times this holiday season. Dana Flaherty has seen the damage first hand. She visited the area with her family to help those affected and returned home with a heavy heart.
Soon after her return from that visit, Flaherty created a Facebook page group called “Western North Carolina Holiday Hope.” There have been more than 3000 people who have come together through this endeavor to bring supplies to the families in need.
The families that have been impacted by Helene fill out an application just to verify that they live in the counties that were affected. Once they are verified, they are permitted to post a “wish list” on the Facebook group. From there, volunteers can adopt the families and assist them by making purchases that are directly sent to them.
Flaherty said that 50 families were able to get Thanksgiving gift baskets and meals, and about 100 families will receive the same for Christmas.
Flaherty is currently working on getting a 501(c)(3), so her organization can become a nonprofit, and take her relief efforts past the holiday season to continue emergency aid.