Help Stacie, Jeff, and Ella Rebuild After Hurricane Helene

Hi, my name's Molly. I'm currently up in Boone, NC, safe; however, my parents, Stacie and Jeff, and sister, Ella, recently lost their home and jobs due to Hurricane Helene. My hometown, Hot Springs, NC, is completely demolished, with only a few businesses that made it just barely. They are still without water and electricity. The only way I can contact my parents is while they are in town, which is now a whole hike from my grandma's house. My parents' converted bus we called home is destroyed. It may only be livable after completely reconverting it, which will take at least a year. Not only that, but the business that my mom works for, The Artisun, had its floor cave in, and everything inside has to be thrown away and replaced. The business, like most businesses in Madison County, will not be open for a very long time.

Anything helps, my parents just need something to get back on their feet while they are recovering from this disaster. Thank you!

Update 9/30 12:15pm

I got in touch with my mom today, she told me that World Central Kitchen is preparing to step up, they will be providing two meals a day. I also heard that they're trying to get as many starlinks as possible to provide internet, so hopefully I will be able to get in contact with my family more regularly.

I asked my mom if she knew what they were planning to do about their home, and they don't know. There's a long road ahead of us, but with all the support and love you have shown them, it gives them hope. Thank you.

Update 9/30 1:20pm

Just got off the phone with my mom, apparently the sewage system completely floated down the river so no one can use their toilets. The Red Cross or any other organization other than the World Central Kitchen has come into Hot Springs to help. It is mainly just the community trying to bounce back to help one another. The community is strong and supportive there, but it's disheartening to hear no one is out there helping them yet.

Update from my mom's instagram:

@oh__stacie

Today we were able to get help by friends in the community. We are so grateful! I’m currently at one of Ella’s friends (thank you Kat and family) to wash our laundry, take hot showers and to use WiFi. I’m going to be loading a lot of photos. I documented everything from the beginning. These pictures are nothing to what it looks. It’s so bad! I’m sorry if I ramble. My mind can’t think straight. I just want everyone to know how grateful I am for everything. I’m still in shock. It may just be a bus but it’s been my home we built as a family almost nine years ago and it the last place my son lived and that hold a lot of sentimental value to me. I will never get rid of my bus. It’s my home. My daughter lost her tiny home, she devastated. We lost our beloved work place that was more than work it was family and also our home. If you’re able to give, thank you! If you are able to share our story, thank you! If you are able to just land a hand of your time to rebuild, thank you! The quicker we can rebuild the quicker we can get home. Thank you, to our community for working day and night to help others! We love you! ❤️ #hotspringsstrong

Update 10/1 8:30pm

My parents and sister cleaned their home as much as they could. My parents gutted the bus while my sister cleaned her room. When I was on the phone with my mom, I could hear the grief and guilt in her voice when she was telling me how they gutted the bus. Then she told me how my sister reacted when she saw her room. She said she just broke down screaming and crying. She told my mom she wanted to clean the room herself and to be alone while in these moments of despair.

I'm planning on heading down there this weekend with my boyfriend and friend. We're going to help clean and bring whatever supplies they need. We're also going to Asheville for my friend who is joining us and we'll bring things and support them in any way they need us.

Thank you again for supporting my family. If it says anything about how caring and kind they are, they have been offered to leave and stay somewhere else other than Hot Springs while they get back on their feet, but they don't want to. They want to stay there and help their community as much as possible.

There's a few videos my mom has posted on her instagram and i suggest going and watching them.

Her instagram:

@oh__stacie

I will be uploading photos as soon as they send them.

Photos of my parent's bus:

my sister's cabin:

Photos of Town:

Where my Mom and sister worked at, and where I worked all throughout High School: