When Hurricane Helene struck, it left our neighbors in Western North Carolina devastated. But the response from our Buena Vista neighbors and our beloved local businesses brought a powerful reminder of service, hope, and unity. As businesses and individuals stepped up in meaningful ways, our community became a beacon of support—collecting donations, organizing aid, and rallying hands-on help. Today, we want to highlight some of the incredible helpers who rose to the occasion and made a difference.

In Buena Vista, Terilyn Adams created an Amazon wishlist for those affected by Hurricane Helene. With overwhelming generosity, many of you purchased items from the list, and then when those packages arrived at her doorstep neighbors joined in to help unpack and organize donations, which were delivered to relief organizations in WNC. Many people also donated via Venmo and Terilyn used that money to buy more items that were being requested from people in WNC. 

Morgan Holt and Jamie Lapp opened Fiddle & Fig’s new location as a collection site for Operation Airdrop, and donated a portion of their sales to Samaritan’s Purse. You showed up daily, filling their storefront with supplies. Alpha-Lit donated their van and time to transport these items to the airport, and volunteers from Pinnacle Financial Partners helped to organize and pack supplies.

Fred Jordan, a BV resident and owner of Buckeye Advisors and Buckeye Moving & Storage, and his wife, Clare, used their logistics expertise and their knowledge of rural Ashe County, NC to collect funds and supplies from friends and deliver directly to sources they knew to help- many in lesser known areas, who were deeply affected. Fred continued to make weekly trips to deliver aid directly to those in need. Their son, Jack, a student at ASU, stayed in Boone to volunteer his truck and his time for relief efforts.

Kaleideum raised $10,000 from guests playing “Game of Chance” at its annual Kaleidoscope Ball, donating the funds to Second Harvest Food Bank for WNC relief.

In a touching tribute, the Wake Forest University and NC State marching bands performed "Amazing Grace" together to honor those impacted by the hurricane.

Tori Boysen opened her Buena Vista home as a drop-off site for donations, while Alkali Hair Studio and LMI Builders teamed up to raise $10,000 for Sugar Grove, NC, through cut-a-thons and matching donations. LMI Builders also sent teams to assist with ground efforts in the area.

Forsyth Humane Society collected supplies and rescued displaced animals from WNC, transporting them to Forsyth County, where they received the care they desperately needed and found foster homes, thanks to community support.

Several local restaurants—including Camino Bakery, The Porch, West End Cafe, East of Texas, Alma, Slappy’s Kitchen, Tate’s Craft Cocktails, Village Tavern, Mozelles, 6th and Vine, Six Hundred, Easy Talk Coffee & Cocktails, Miss. Ora’s Kitchen, Mojito Latin Soul Food, Di Lisio’s Italian Restaurant,  and Sweet Potatoes —collaborated on “A Night Out for North Carolina,” raising over $11,000 for those in need. Meanwhile, teams from Sunnyside Millworks and Lynwood Builders were on the ground in WNC, offering direct relief.

Stroll Buena Vista owner, Chelsea Baskin, along with fellow N2 Company members, dedicated their time and energy volunteering at Samaritan's Purse in Boone to support those in need. Additionally, Stroll Buena Vista photographer, Emily Richardson, is generously donating 100% of the profits from Personality Portraits booked in November and December to benefit our neighbors in Western North Carolina.

Our students showed up in big ways, too. Student organizations at Calvary Day School,  RJ Reynolds and Mount Tabor High School rallied their peers to gather and donate vital supplies for those in need in Western North Carolina. Meanwhile, Upper School students at Forsyth Country Day School came together to support communities impacted by Hurricane Helene as well. Presidents of multiple student organizations united their efforts, leading peers in a campus-wide initiative to collect and donate essential supplies. Addison Nicks, president of "Make Life Rosie," and Gracie Whicker, president of "Forsyth4Women," organized donations of water and canned food. Kaylie Scott and Arianna Ajram, presidents of "PAWS," gathered pet food, while "Shoes for Souls" president Charlotte Morath led a drive for shoe donations. Students Jacob Leonard and Mac Semans will help deliver the items to Western North Carolina, thanks to TransMachine Tech, which has generously provided a truck and driver for transportation. Furthermore, students at Summit School joined forces with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office to provide essential supplies directly to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. A dedicated group of Upper School students unloaded two buses filled to capacity with donations, ensuring aid reached those most in need.

Dozens of local businesses and organizations—including Pure Barre, Blowouts and Bubbles, Village Realty, Meg Brown Home Furnishings, H2O Orthodontic Specialist, Icon Custom Builders, Sweetp. Design, Doster Paper Co., Southern Home & Kitchen, The Golden Clover, Bobby Boy Bakeshop, The Caviste, Windsor Jewelers, Louie & Honey’s Kitchen, Winston’s Collection, Camel City Upholstery, Johnson Granite Inc., Primm’s, Foothills Brewing, Two Cities Church, Half Past Three, Synergy, Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Company, Broad Branch Distillery, Hive, Burke Mill Chiropractic,  Brouwerij DuBois, Your Home Marketplace, Chad’s Chai, Rolly’s Baby Boutique, Twin City Health, Elizabeth’s at Hanes Park, Taylor PT & Wellness, Great Crates, Bar NOLA, Joymongers Brewing Co., Winston-Salem Dermatology and Cosmetic Center, Rebecca & Co., Arbor Acres, Sayso Coffee, Elderflour Baking Co., Tucker’s Tap Yard, Village Juice, Camel City Wraps, Amanzi Granite, BHHS Carolinas Realty, Dewey’s Bakery, Winston-Salem Dash, Second Harvest Food Bank, WXII 12 News, Theodore B. Interiors, 98 Asian Bistro, The Dapper Bean, Wilkerson Bakery, Winston-Salem Fire Station 1, Reynolda Village, Howlin’ At The Moon Dog Bakery, CycleBar, and many others—created opportunities for us all to respond, donate, serve and help WNC.

What happened to WNC was heartbreaking, but watching our friends and neighbors come together showed what it truly means to love your neighbor. Thank you for showing up, giving back, and exemplifying community at its best. I have never felt prouder to be part of this community of helpers.