ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A year after Hurricane Helene left behind devastation across western North Carolina, dozens of local nonprofits that helped lead recovery efforts were honored Tuesday with a special luncheon and a surprise gift.

The Duke Energy Foundation hosted the event in Asheville to recognize 38 organizations that became lifelines for communities in the storm’s aftermath. What started as a simple thank-you meal quickly turned into something more: a $5,000 grant awarded to each group to help support frontline workers still carrying the weight of recovery.

“Lives were forever changed one year ago,” said Amy Strecker, president of the Duke Energy Foundation. “What we also know to be true is that nonprofits from 38 organizations answered the call to respond.”

The surprise funding was

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