Two Months After Helene...
Dear Avery County Supporters,
It has been just over two months since Hurricane Helene brought devastating floods to western North Carolina, Our congregation responded swiftly, addressing immediate needs with non-perishable food donations and establishing a Flood Relief Fund to support ongoing recovery efforts in Avery County. We have been working diligently behind the scenes with our nonprofit partners in Avery County and want to share an update on our efforts to maximize the impact of our funds, volunteer efforts, and relationship-building initiatives.
It quickly became clear that one of the biggest challenges was managing and coordinating the flow of information about the needs across Avery County and determining who could provide the needed support. Local church and nonprofit staff are understandably overwhelmed by the scale of the work. To address this, we have hired Bobbie Willard as a part-time Recovery Coordinator for Hurricane Relief and Recovery. She will work with nonprofits, coordinate projects, document needs, resources, and outcomes, attend community meetings, and meet weekly with Rev. Kathy Campbell, pastor of Crossnore Presbyterian Church.
We are deeply grateful for our friendship with Crossnore Presbyterian Church. Collaborating with them is maximizing the impact of our contributions by partnering with local nonprofits and foundations to amplify what we can achieve. Together we have purchased home goods for eleven low-income apartments damaged by flooding. We also provided funding to Bridges for Avery to install nine culverts for residents unable to access their homes by car. Since these homes are on private roads, FEMA funds would not have covered the repairs. Additionally, we assisted a couple in Banner Elk whose roof was severely damaged by the hurricane and needed to be replaced before winter. Bobbie’s role and our partnership with Crossnore Presbyterian Church will help us to identify specific needs such as these.
With your support, teams from Covenant have been heading up to Avery County for workdays and have completed multiple projects. We cleaned up debris from the park in Newland, installed flooring in a family’s home, and helped with various jobs at RAM (Reaching Avery Ministry). You never know what you might learn when volunteering – ask Ruth Huey to teach you how to use a chop saw! We are extremely grateful to Kim Barnhardt, Covenant member and Avery County resident, who cheerfully hosts and coordinates our workdays. Her deep connections in Avery County and indefatigable spirit are such a gift to our congregation!
On Tuesday, November 26, we are attending the Avery County Housing Recovery Effort Resource Meeting which aims to unite local businesses and foundations supporting Avery County’s housing recovery after Hurricane Helene. It’s a call for anyone with resources, services, or volunteer groups to help rebuild homes. Representatives from Chief Cares, Mountain Ways, Samaritan’s Purse, Appalachia Service Project, the Red Cross, FEMA, and local leaders will attend. The goal is to coordinate efforts, identify resources, and address gaps in rebuilding housing for the community.
The work is just beginning, and we are committed for the long haul. We will continue sending work teams throughout the winter and are also planning several weekend work trips along with our traditional weeklong mission trips. In addition, we’ve committed to providing furniture for four apartments and will need your help gathering and delivering items to the families. We’ll keep you updated on these opportunities as plans take shape.
We strive to be faithful stewards of your generous contributions to the Avery County Relief Fund, guide the church in meaningful volunteer opportunities that foster relationships, and collaborate with the churches and organizations joining us in this vital work. We are especially grateful to Tripp Moore, Phil Koonce, Amanda Abrahm, and Jane Freeman for serving on the Avery County Flood Relief Task Force. If you have questions or wish to offer support, please reach out to Mandy Rencher or any member of the committee.
With abundant gratitude,
Mandy Rencher
It has been just over two months since Hurricane Helene brought devastating floods to western North Carolina, Our congregation responded swiftly, addressing immediate needs with non-perishable food donations and establishing a Flood Relief Fund to support ongoing recovery efforts in Avery County. We have been working diligently behind the scenes with our nonprofit partners in Avery County and want to share an update on our efforts to maximize the impact of our funds, volunteer efforts, and relationship-building initiatives.
It quickly became clear that one of the biggest challenges was managing and coordinating the flow of information about the needs across Avery County and determining who could provide the needed support. Local church and nonprofit staff are understandably overwhelmed by the scale of the work. To address this, we have hired Bobbie Willard as a part-time Recovery Coordinator for Hurricane Relief and Recovery. She will work with nonprofits, coordinate projects, document needs, resources, and outcomes, attend community meetings, and meet weekly with Rev. Kathy Campbell, pastor of Crossnore Presbyterian Church.
We are deeply grateful for our friendship with Crossnore Presbyterian Church. Collaborating with them is maximizing the impact of our contributions by partnering with local nonprofits and foundations to amplify what we can achieve. Together we have purchased home goods for eleven low-income apartments damaged by flooding. We also provided funding to Bridges for Avery to install nine culverts for residents unable to access their homes by car. Since these homes are on private roads, FEMA funds would not have covered the repairs. Additionally, we assisted a couple in Banner Elk whose roof was severely damaged by the hurricane and needed to be replaced before winter. Bobbie’s role and our partnership with Crossnore Presbyterian Church will help us to identify specific needs such as these.
With your support, teams from Covenant have been heading up to Avery County for workdays and have completed multiple projects. We cleaned up debris from the park in Newland, installed flooring in a family’s home, and helped with various jobs at RAM (Reaching Avery Ministry). You never know what you might learn when volunteering – ask Ruth Huey to teach you how to use a chop saw! We are extremely grateful to Kim Barnhardt, Covenant member and Avery County resident, who cheerfully hosts and coordinates our workdays. Her deep connections in Avery County and indefatigable spirit are such a gift to our congregation!
On Tuesday, November 26, we are attending the Avery County Housing Recovery Effort Resource Meeting which aims to unite local businesses and foundations supporting Avery County’s housing recovery after Hurricane Helene. It’s a call for anyone with resources, services, or volunteer groups to help rebuild homes. Representatives from Chief Cares, Mountain Ways, Samaritan’s Purse, Appalachia Service Project, the Red Cross, FEMA, and local leaders will attend. The goal is to coordinate efforts, identify resources, and address gaps in rebuilding housing for the community.
The work is just beginning, and we are committed for the long haul. We will continue sending work teams throughout the winter and are also planning several weekend work trips along with our traditional weeklong mission trips. In addition, we’ve committed to providing furniture for four apartments and will need your help gathering and delivering items to the families. We’ll keep you updated on these opportunities as plans take shape.
We strive to be faithful stewards of your generous contributions to the Avery County Relief Fund, guide the church in meaningful volunteer opportunities that foster relationships, and collaborate with the churches and organizations joining us in this vital work. We are especially grateful to Tripp Moore, Phil Koonce, Amanda Abrahm, and Jane Freeman for serving on the Avery County Flood Relief Task Force. If you have questions or wish to offer support, please reach out to Mandy Rencher or any member of the committee.
With abundant gratitude,
Mandy Rencher
For more information contact:
Mandy Rencher
Director of Mission and Outreach
mandy.rencher@covenantpresby.org
704-804-7574
Mandy Rencher
Director of Mission and Outreach
mandy.rencher@covenantpresby.org
704-804-7574
If you would like to help financially, donate to our Avery Flood Relief Fund.
To volunteer for upcoming projects that support our Avery County friends, fill out this form.
To volunteer for upcoming projects that support our Avery County friends, fill out this form.