For many of us the immediate hours and days after Hurricane Helene's storm cloud lifted, were filled with sorrow, fear, and confusion. Homes were destroyed, neighborhoods reshaped, and lives forever changed.

On a sunny and brisk Saturday afternoon, three buses from Charlotte rolled into the Swannanoa Self Storage lot.

As we close out 2024, it is almost impossible to remember life before the storm. So much has happened, and so much has been lost. Yet, we need to reflect and note moments worth remembering and, yes, even celebrating.

If you live in and around Buncombe County then it is most likely that you have heard of the devastation Hurricane Helene brought to the Swannanoa area.

On November 18, 2024, the Trinity Episcopal Church was brimming with energy. Attendees from grassroots organizations, nonprofits, church groups, and volunteer teams from across Buncombe County filled every available seat—extra chairs had to be brought in.