Over two months after Hurricane Helene ravaged North Carolina and other southeastern states, survivors are finding hope this Christmas season despite slow recovery efforts.
A woman stands before a Christmas tree in downtown Chimney Rock North Carolina, where the ornaments are comprised of found items from the flooded river bed and pieces of businesses lost to the hurricane—fragments of what was, now part of something new.
— James Hughes (@nailbender1974) December 17, 2024
In their quiet… pic.twitter.com/BBrq94kf5D
The town of Chimney Rock has experienced extreme hardship, but Americans are stepping up to help their neighbors make the season bright. Reports of makeshift tree decorating, toy drives, and other charitable events are being shared across various channels.
I got to watch my daughter stand beside her grandma and hand out Christmas presents to kids impacted by Hurricane Helene in Chimney Rock, NC. All while our Gpaw gave a free concert to encourage them to "Don't Stop Believing". ❤️ #Proud pic.twitter.com/RDW4gHv8Se
— Brad Knight (@PastorBKnight) December 15, 2024
From individuals to organizations, everyday people and business owners are working together to ensure that Christmas remains the most wonderful time of the year.
Mercy Chefs has been providing meals for hurricane victims in Florida and North Carolina. The organization noted in a Dec. Facebook post, “With Christmas quickly approaching, communities in Western North Carolina are still experiencing the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene.”
“Thank you for supporting us as we feed these people still in desperate need of help in North Carolina,” they concluded.
But it’s not just charities that are sharing good cheer. One couple also posted on Facebook about their Free Spaghetti Dinner event. This was organized to feed Bakersville residents on Dec. 21 as well as provide live music and a toy drive.
The Biden administration sent $50B more to Ukraine, & this is what Western NC looks like after Hurricane Helene.
— Elizabeth Johnston (@ejministries) December 13, 2024
My team is heading there this Sunday with heaters, supplies & Christmas gifts for children. If you’d like to donate to our work…⬇️https://t.co/h0yeL4IVwh pic.twitter.com/YiX3VepHzV
Multiple toy drives have been reported, including one created by Navy veteran Shawn Waite. According to WVLT News, he planned a small church toy drive, but the response was so great that he quickly received hundreds of toys which soon became thousands of presents that will show the children of North Carolina the spirit of giving.
Waite told WVLT News that he organized the toy drive knowing what it is like to go without. His family lost their home to the Gatlinburg wildfires. “My son basically missed Christmas,” he stated.”
“I don’t other kids to kind of feel how he felt,” he added noting the importance of helping others.
In addition, the “Bring Christmas to Chimney Rock” event was hosted by local volunteers to light up the North Carolina’s business district with live music, food, and a visit from Santa, per WSPA 7 News.
🚨#BREAKING: The Christmas spirit could not be cancelled in Chimney Rock NC as the town came together to light the Christmas tree.
— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) December 15, 2024
Watch as residents burst into singing, "This Little Light of Mine" and "Amazing Grace" as the tree was lit.
Absolutely beautiful! pic.twitter.com/GvW9OMby6a
WRAL News reported that “Bring Christmas to Chimney Rock” allowed local business owners to sell products and raise funds to boost the local economy, which heavily relies on holiday tourism.
Although the Christmas tree industry has also been affected by Hurricane Helen, due to about 25 percent of Christmas trees being grown in North Carolina, Christmas tree farmers have worked to salvage as many trees as possible and remain open to ensure that residents have access to the largest symbol of the season, per the New York Times.
We lost all of our Christmas decorations in the hurricane and we can't spend the money to replace them at this time. But we had a couple strings of lights and I was at Home Depot this morning so I bought this little tree. We couldn't have Finbar's first Christmas without a tree. pic.twitter.com/ELlMazxlt8
— Tom Cosentino (@ThomasCosentin6) December 13, 2024
Plenty of locals are finding their holiday spirit despite the recent turmoil. As one Appalachian X page noted, the victims of Hurricane Helene are proving that they are true survivors who may be, “Down, but NEVER out.”
Down, but NEVER out.#appalachia pic.twitter.com/iZtwzEBj6w
— StateofAppalachia (@Appalachistani) December 13, 2024
