Stronger than the Storm.
Our Story
In the days following Hurricane Helene, as families and neighborhoods began to assess and comprehend the extent of the damage, the community sprang into action. Cut off from communications, utilities, and road access, we relied on the power of community and resilience of mountain folks to get to work and begin providing aid to the many families in desperate need. The raw determination and unwavering spirit of the people was inspiring; neighbors pulled out their tractors, skid steers, chainsaws, excavators and 4-wheelers to set about their task.
As we fought to clear roads and evacuate families, we quickly started encountering the veritable army of volunteers coming to our aid from neighboring states. Folks filled their vehicles and trailers with goods and supplies, brought them up into the mountains, rolled up their sleeves and got to work. The Valley Hope Foundation was born as we took in millions of dollars of donations, loaded them into side-by-sides and helicopters, and brought them deep into the valleys and hollows most affected by the storm. Our operation grew in the parking lot of Appalachian Tool and Machine, a local Swannanoa business which has graciously provided endless support and resources to help the community. We rapidly recognized that this relief and recovery effort would stretch on for months and years, and to facilitate our ongoing efforts we incorporated as a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization.
Our Mission
Our role is to facilitate ongoing relief to families affected by Hurricane Helene. We coordinate and deliver goods and supplies - food, water, fuel, medical aid, generators and space-heaters. We facilitate reconstruction efforts - providing building supplies and raw infrastructure materials to rebuild homes and roads. We provide campers and cars to families who lost everything, so that they may dust themselves off and get back on their feet. We will boost the resilience of our community with ongoing efforts to harden our infrastructure and provide education and materiel for trauma/first-aid, off-grid local power solutions, and decentralized communications systems. Our mission is to foster unity, provide relief, and help our community to recover.
Ongoing Projects
Warehouse Operations
We operate a 6,000sq/ft warehouse to facilitate processing and distribution of goods and supplies. Our network of community Hubs now spans nearly 300 distribution sites across 41 Counties in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky. We dispatch orders of requested aid five days a week.
Community Clean-Up
An estimated 10 million cubic yards of debris was scattered across Western North Carolina by Hurricane Helene - we’ve made it our mission to help homeowners and community members clean up our neighborhoods. Debris removal, tree work, road & culvert repairs, and small bridge re-builds have helped our community reconnect and feel at home again. We are honored to be a part of rebullding efforts in our community.
Aid Delivery
Utilizing our Disaster Supply Sites system, we dispatch urgently needed goods and supplies to 41 Counties across the Southeast. In partnership with America Cares we are able to dispatch fresh food, frozen meats and produce to approximately 4,300 families per week!
Home Repairs
With an estimated 126,000 homes damaged across the southeast, and over 9,000 in Buncombe County alone, we have dedicated our resources to supporting local residents with home repairs. We’ve coordinated small construction jobs, mold abatement, plumbing & electrical repairs, and other general home repairs.
Temporary Shelter
Months later, temporary shelter is still an urgent need for many residents of our community. We continue to purchase or coordinate the donation of campers and RV’s to ensure housing security for our Western North Carolina neighbors.
