In the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
(Photo Credit: Bill McMannis)
We are just as stunned as we imagine you are over what’s happened to us.
We’re sad, devastated, baffled; we can’t quite wrap our minds around it. At the same time, we are uplifted by the immense support coming from near and far and the community comradery at every corner. Like you, we get positive reports about what’s being done, progress that’s being made by various agencies, but we know it’s impossible for us to get a complete picture of the enormity of it all.
We have been asked about the impact on the rail line. We know that sections have been damaged and that Norfolk-Southern is on it.
Here’s an excerpt from a Sept. 30 news release describing direct support to their employees impacted by Helene and their donation of $100,000 to the American Red Cross for relief efforts:
"Our thoughts are with everyone navigating the aftermath of Helene, and our actions are in support of our employees, customers, and the communities where we all live and work," said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Mark R. George. "We are committed to supporting the American Red Cross in delivering immediate relief and long-term recovery. Our Employee Disaster Relief Program will provide financial aid directly to Norfolk Southern railroaders who have been affected. And we are working hard to get all impacted routes back online so we can provide access to those communities."
We’ve also spoken with our rail partners at NCDOT who are concerned about our welfare and send their unwavering support as we march on step-by-step with our recovery here and to the west.
While many events and festivals are being cancelled and/or postponed, the city of Hickory is carrying on with Oktoberfest this weekend: https://downtownhickory.com/oktoberfest/. We have decided to pull out (with gratitude to those of you who volunteered for that) as the timing does not feel right to be speaking of passenger rail to Asheville.
We will, however, go ahead with Drinks with the Depot on October 29th, to come together as a community and perhaps lift our hearts a little.
For the immediate needs and how we can help as a community, there are many groups providing assistance and we are grateful to those people who point us in the right direction when we want to help, but don’t quite know how to give it. Allow us to highlight two:
Our friends and partners Jessica and Joseph Ackerman at Sidetracked Brewery. We asked Joseph to tell us what they were doing, and ways in which we could contribute:
“We’ve been serving hot meals every night since Tuesday at the brewery, we have a clothing exchange; we take cash donations and target them to specific needs, like providing an electric flat top to a gentleman that had a generator but no way to cook. We take clothing and shoes to people that were med-evac’d from the mountains; we’ve been giving out free water since Tuesday, and we’re working with a crew that is cutting a road into a remote town with no access (Humpback Mountain) and as soon as we find out their specific needs we’ll use the cash on hand to meet them.”The other one is Burke County’s main distribution center for donations at 2128 S. Sterling Street. They are still accepting donations but have shifted to clothing and gear for the colder months such as jackets, hats, gloves, socks, etc., and request the items are new not used to avoid any problems with bed bugs, etc. For more information, you can call 828-764-3204.
In the meanwhile, stay safe and know that we’ll be praying for your peace of mind.