It has been almost a year since Hurricane Helene devastated our beloved region.

Finding the words to capture this year feels impossible. What began as raw fear for the safety of family and friends quickly shifted into the urgency of recovery. In those first weeks, I hugged and cried with more people than I could ever count. We clung to one another, sharing stories, seeking to be seen and heard, naming our fears, and holding onto whatever hope we could find.

I’ll never forget the relief of finally hearing our kid’s voice when his call came through — safe, and evacuating from University of North Carolina Asheville. Or the sound of the radio, live on air, connecting neighbors to resources and to their loved ones. Another image etched in my mind is cresting the hill at the McDowell County Em

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