Donate to Aid Julie and the Bakersville Art communities

Hello friends,

My name is Kevin Emery. My dear friend Julie Wiggins lives in Bakersville, NC, in the mountains outside of Asheville. Hurricane Helene, as you may have seen, has caused widespread and catastrophic damage that will take weeks and months to recover from. There is no power and will most likely not be any for a month or two. There is no water as their water is well and runs by electric pump. There is also very spotty to no cell service. Roads are totally washed away. Many local towns, including Bakersville, have been washed away and/or buried in feet of mud and debris. This is a dire situation and I am asking for everyone’s help to donate as much as you are able to at this time. They are in need of everything: food, water, generators, chainsaws, gasoline, toiletries, baby wipes, etc. As of today, 9/29, I am not sure that roads are even accessible to them. There are airlifts going on as well. It's that bad.

Julie is a professional potter and her entire business has been halted for the foreseeable future. They need our help. Please know that the funds will not all be going to just them but also the local community as well as other Penland School artisans who are also in need.

Thank you sincerely,

Kevin and Leah Emery