When Hurricane Helene impacted our region, it quickly became clear that the days ahead would require every ounce of community spirit, resilience, and teamwork. At Asheville Farmstead School, we made it our mission to support not just our students and families but also our neighbors, friends, and community members. Here’s a look at how we responded and came together during this challenging time.
Putting People First
Our immediate priority was to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone connected to our school: staff, families, and board members. We reached out quickly, doing everything we could to account for every individual and provide them with the resources and information they needed. And if we could not make contact over the phones, we physically went to families – supplies in hand – and made house calls to insure that our community was safe and had what they needed. In the days following the storm, our campus became a hub of relief and hope for our extended community.
Offering Shelter and Essential Resources
Over the two weeks following the hurricane, our school opened its doors to over 130 people who sought a safe place to stay. We transformed parts of our campus to provide a warm, welcoming environment, complete with essential supplies. Over this period, we distributed more than 150 gallons of potable water and offered 40 hot showers—a small but vital comfort for those affected by the storm’s impact.
Providing a Safe Space for Kids to Play
In times of tragedy, children need both stability and a place to simply be kids. Recognizing this, we opened our 25-acre campus to provide a safe, clean, and open space where children could play and enjoy fresh air, away from the reminders of the storm’s impact. This gave our students and other children in the community a much-needed sense of normalcy.
Play is more than just fun; it’s essential for children’s emotional recovery. During such stressful times, play allows children to process their experiences, connect with friends, and regain a sense of security and happiness. By offering a space for unstructured play, we aimed to bring joy back into their lives, one afternoon at a time.
Through local partnerships and the generosity of so many, we managed to move over 2,000 pounds of donated goods—food, clothing, toiletries, and more—into the hands of those in need.
Getting Back to Learning Together
Despite the challenges, we were committed to resuming a sense of normalcy for our students. Thanks to the hard work of our staff and the support of our families, we were able to reopen our doors to students on October 21st. It was an emotional and joyous day, one that reaffirmed our school’s strength and resilience.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We’re so grateful to every single person who volunteered, donated, or offered a helping hand. Whether you helped distribute supplies, donated, or provided comfort, your compassion and dedication were—and continue to be—inspiring.