Bigger Than One
2025 Hurricane Relief Fund for Families in NC/TN

BIGGER THAN ONE: Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee Need All Our Help

A word from Autumn Zimmerman, EM Missions Program Director — Spring 2025

Months after Hurricane Helene flooded the Southern Appalachians, the national news cameras have moved on. But the nightmare continues for thousands of residents in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. As a volunteer coordinator in the region, I've witnessed firsthand both the devastating impact of this disaster and the remarkable resilience of mountain communities.

But resilience alone isn't enough. Every day, I see families still displaced from their homes, local businesses struggling to reopen, and communities grappling with unemployment rates that have skyrocketed since the storm. While the immediate emergency response has ended, the long road to recovery is just beginning.

The scope of devastation becomes clear as our volunteer teams work across hard-hit communities, like Greenville, Tennessee; Hot Springs, North Carolina; and Marion, North Carolina. In these mountain towns, we're not just rebuilding structures—we are helping people feel seen when they very clearly feel forgotten. Our work ranges from replacing waterlogged drywall and ruined flooring to clearing mountains of debris that still litter properties months after the storm and so much more.

The statistics are staggering, but they don't tell the full story. In Hot Springs, a small North Carolina town known for its natural beauty and tourism, an estimated 80-90% of residents are now unemployed. The flood waters didn't just damage buildings; they washed away livelihoods as local businesses—the economic backbone of this tourist town—were devastated.

Behind every statistic is a story like Miss Carolyn's. In her 70s, while still battling cancer, she lost not only her home but also the rental cottages that provided her retirement income. The cottages, once a source of joy for visitors and financial security for Miss Carolyn, now stand damaged and empty. Her story illustrates the compounded challenges many residents face—health issues, housing displacement, and loss of income—all at once.

The reality is that getting people back to their lives is bigger than any one volunteer or mission trip. It will require sustained commitment from volunteers, churches, and donors who are willing to sacrifice to see big things happen, understanding that recovery will be more of a marathon than a sprint.

Please consider helping raise additional funds for relief and recovery in North Carolina and Tennessee!

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What You Can Do to Help:

• VOLUNTEER: Whether you have construction skills or just willing hands, we need you! Learn More
• DONATE: The cost to rebuild is bigger and any one person, family, or volunteer fee. It will take all of us using our resources together to make a big difference for these communities. All donations will go directly toward helping people get back into their homes. From building materials to finishing items such as appliances or furniture items, 100% of the proceeds go back into the community (with the exception of any online credit card fees) Give Now

  (Even if you’re already signed up for a trip, we implore you to please take part in additional fundraising to increase the capacity for impact this year! Our hope is for each 2025 volunteer to fundraise at least $100,000 toward this project fund.)

• SPREAD THE WORD: These communities need national attention to ensure they're not forgotten! Share this page with friends, family, church communities, and whoever else may have the means and desire to make a difference.

The people of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee are known for their strength and self-reliance. But right now, they need our help. Every repaired home and every reopened business brings these communities one step closer to recovery from unthinkable disaster. Together, we can help rebuild these communities – not just their structures, but their spirit of hope for the future.

Donate Now

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