November 4, 2024
Dear family and friends,
Lisa and I are safe and well. Our thanks to those who reached out to check on us. Lisa got covid two weeks after the storm but has recovered. Our home and studio were spared. Our only damage was to the driveway, now repaired by our generous neighbors. The power to our home was out for eighteen days but we have a generator that allowed us to have heat, water and the ability to shower, wash clothes, refrigerate and prepare food and even watch television using our satellite dish. We are among the most fortunate people in the region.
We never imagined that World Central Kitchen would be serving meals and providing potable water in our town of Burnsville. It speaks to the level of devastation. In spite of reports to the contrary, FEMA is here helping our neighbors who have lost their homes, their cars, their jobs, their family members and friends. The assistance from the federal and state agencies was immediate and continues to be amazing. There are several large tent shelters nearby providing emergency housing and meals for the displaced. Day after day cars, trucks and trailers appear with supplies. And this remarkable response has been matched by an equally remarkable response by local people to receive, organize, store and distribute everything. Volunteers are working day and night to help their neighbors, some of whom were unable to get out of their homes or neighborhoods for a week or more due to downed trees and power lines or roads and bridges that were destroyed. Repairs in western North Carolina are now estimated at 53 billion dollars.
Quite a few people have asked me how they can help. While continuing with the immediate recovery efforts, it is time to start work on long-term rebuilding efforts as well. I am proud to be on The Board of Directors of the AMY Wellness Foundation. The organization provides grant money to the communities of Avery, Mitchell and Yancey County and has already provided 1.7 million dollars in hurricane relief to our partner non-profits for their rebuilding needs. That is just the beginning. A gift to AMYWF will make a difference. You may learn more at www.amywellnessfoundation.org. If you are able to make a donation you may send a check to: AMY Wellness Foundation, 31 Cross Street, Suite 266, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777.
Thank you to those of you who have already provided assistance.
John Hartom
828.279.7951. Cell phone calls and texts remain the best way to communicate.