BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – Six months after Hurricane Helene, many survivors in North Carolina say they feel forgotten. With little federal aid, churches and volunteers are stepping in to help.
When the floodwaters receded, they left destruction that will take years to rebuild. Entire neighborhoods wiped out, families left with nothing, and many still without a place to call home.
But in the middle of it all are members of the Walnut Grove Union Church in Montvale, like Randy Craig and his wife Angela. Last time they sent a group to Barnardsville, they fed over 1300 people.
“We’ve been there a couple times feeding, we’ve supplied them with supplies. Then we got in with Jeremy with Operation Get Out of the Cold, now transferring to Operation Get Out of the Heat,” said Randy.
Among those helping is Jeremy Barker, a volunteer who’s been on the ground for months, to repair damaged homes and building tiny homes to give survivors a fresh start.
“We’ve been building tiny homes, getting people out of tents and cars and basically focusing on people with the greatest needs that have lost the most,” said Barker.
Jeremy has helped build over 600 tiny homes, and plans to build 1,000 before he leaves. One of those tiny homes went to Carl Ponder. He lost everything he spent 40 years building when the hurricane hit. At his lowest moment, he met Jeremy and Randy, who gave him a place to stay. Now, he’s working with Jeremy.
“I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, not even my worst enemy. I hope to never live to see another flood like that,” said Carl.
But the reality is the work is far from over. There are still families without homes, and volunteers say they can’t do it alone.
“The land, the geography has changed. You know the housing crisis is one thing getting people back to their homes, fixing the land and maintaining the creeks and getting these bags cleaned up is really vital,” said Barker.
To support Jeremy’s mission, you can donate through his GoFundMe account. To help Walnut Grove Church continue its efforts, visit its website.
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