As our community continues to recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene, I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who has stepped forward to support relief efforts on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau. The storm may have passed, but the challenges left behind are still very much present for many of our neighbors.

But hasn’t it been incredible to see our community come together to help those here and nearby?  Churches serving hot meals 3 times a day, volunteers ensuring linemen had clean clothes, businesses and nonprofits working together to gather supplies and drive them to our neighbors in WNC, Bryson Grading immediately asking where they could clear roads: amid disaster, the Plateau community gave mountains of support.

Those first few days following the storm, I spent lots of time at the Highlands Rec Park, which turned into the community hub for those seeking a place to charge a cell phone, Wi-Fi to reach out to friends and family from afar, and a hot shower.  But even more than a place for the essentials, it was a place to gather and connect.  I repeatedly overheard neighbors offering to clear trees, share generators and food, take in pets, and help find loved ones who had not been contacted yet.  Lestor and his team made the gym a home for all of us, keeping the Rec Park open 24 hours a day!

At the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation, we have been working diligently to address critical needs and connect organizations with necessary resources.  However, the road to recovery is long, and our work is far from over. There are still families displaced. Local businesses have suffered tremendous losses, and many residents are facing uncertainty about the future.

I urge our community to continue coming together as we move forward. There are numerous ways you can contribute, whether through volunteering, donating to local relief funds, or supporting businesses that have been affected. Every little bit helps as we aim to ensure that no one is left behind in the recovery process.  We are also positioned to be a strong support for our neighbors throughout WNC facing major devastation.

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed their time, resources, and compassion. Your generosity is a testament to the resilience of our Plateau, and I am confident that with continued support we will emerge from this disaster stronger than ever.

Charlotte Muir

Executive Director, Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation