On a freezing January day, the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County (UWABC) team bundled up and headed to the Big Ivy Community Center in Barnardsville. But this wasn’t just a visit but a chance to roll up our sleeves and pitch in.
Since Hurricane Helene's devastating flood, UWABC has been working side-by-side with the Big Ivy community. From the very first week, volunteers and AmeriCorps members showed up to connect people with the resources they desperately needed. This day was about the whole team coming together to see firsthand the impact of our efforts and find new ways to help.
Pitching In Where It Counts
We got right to work. Some of us sorted through donations and organized supplies, while others helped distribute essentials to Big Ivy residents or cleared rubble. Everywhere we looked, it was clear why this community still needed so much support.
Gina, the site coordinator, told us the heartbreaking reality: the need hasn’t slowed down. Day after day, people continue coming in for help—working-class families who’ve lost homes, jobs, and stability.
It Takes a Team
This day wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible teamwork behind the scenes. Huge thanks to Gina and the Big Ivy crew for hosting us, to Denise and Ginny for pulling everything together, and to Cindy for making sure we all shared a meal.
Big Ivy is the perfect example of what we can accomplish when we work together. From Aisha and Jen building relationships right after the storm, to Ginny, Wolfgang, and Denise organizing volunteers, to Erika and Sarah bringing in the NCCC team, and Lance and our school partnerships team securing funding for urgent needs—this has been a true group effort.
Why This Matters
Our day in Big Ivy was just one chapter in a much larger story. For over 100 years, UWABC has been connecting people, resources, and partners to help communities thrive. Our work here is far from over, and we’re committed to standing alongside Big Ivy for as long as it takes.
Join Us
UWABC is about harnessing the energy and commitment of our whole community and directing it towards our toughest challenges. Volunteering is one critical way that you can make a positive impact. Whether it's distributing food at a Community Engagement Market, tutoring an elementary school student, mentoring a teenager — or countless other options — we take our role of connecting willing volunteers to meaningful opportunities to serve others seriously because it is a key part of what makes a community resilient.
- Ready to make a difference? Visit Hands On Asheville/Buncombe
- Want to support UWABC’s volunteer efforts? Donate Here
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