Help the Thomas Family Rebuild After Hurricane Helene

Help Us Rebuild Our Home, Business, and Lives After Hurricane Helene

Wednesday October 9 update

A sweet family from Georgia ( complete strangers to us until today) drove up to bring us a hot water heater!!!! Oh my goodness, one less thing!! Thanks so much to everyone who has already donated. We are so grateful to all of you. To see a picture of the Allen family and the hot water heater check out the instagram account @ thomas_family_helene_recovery

❤️

Our Story:

We are the Thomas family ( Matthew, Tanya, Liefke, Luna & Jackson) and our home is near the Broad River between Black Mountain and Lake Lure. Hurricane Helene hit our family hard, leaving behind devastating damage to our home, business, and land. The storm caused significant structural damage, flooding our walk-out basement with over 7 feet of water and collapsing about a quarter of the foundation. This basement was the heart of our family business, filled with tools and supplies accumulated over many years. We also lost a massive amount of carefully curated high-quality wood—black walnut, chestnut, locust—that was locally and sustainably harvested, as well as our entire workshop.

Just six weeks before the storm, we learned that Matthew’s job as Facilities Director at a local boarding school was ending due to a campus closure. After years of planning, we decided that this was the moment to launch our own business, Windfall Workshop. The irony of the name is not lost on us. But now, the tools, the wood, our workshop, and even our two cars are gone. We’re left without jobs and without the resources we need to rebuild the business we dreamed of starting.

Our Priority Goals:

We are incredibly grateful for any support as we work to rebuild after Hurricane Helene. Below are our most urgent priorities, along with the estimated amounts needed for each. As each milestone is met, we’ll be able to take a huge step toward recovery, and we look forward to celebrating those moments with you!

1. Home Repairs ($20,000)

Our first priority is rebuilding the foundation of our home and replacing the windows and doors in the basement. This will prevent further damage from mold and moisture and exposure making our home livable again.

2. Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing ($10,000 - $15,000)

With the colder months approaching, we urgently need to replace the heat pump, duct work, hot water heater, and plumbing systems that were destroyed as well as purchase seasoned firewood. These are critical for restoring a safe and comfortable living environment.

3. Replacing Our Cars ($10,000 - $15,000)

Both of our cars were lost in the flood, leaving us without transportation for daily needs and for managing the rebuilding process. We need reliable vehicles to help us stay connected and move forward with recovery.

4. Tools and Workshop Restoration ($15,000 - $20,000)

Our family business, Windfall Workshop, was severely impacted by the loss of all our tools and materials. Replacing the tools and the locally sourced wood we had collected will be essential to restarting our livelihood.

5. Land Remediation ($5,000 - $10,000)

The flood left our land covered in a thick layer of silt, threatening to smother our huge garden where we produce much of our food as well as a large pasture. Clearing this silt is vital to saving our property and restoring its natural state.

6. Lost Income Support ($5,000 - $10,000)

With both of us out of work and our business disrupted, these funds will help cover essential living expenses while we rebuild our home and our business.

Our Community:

We have been blessed by the incredible support of friends, family, and many, many strangers. Our son Jackson tapped a spring to provide gravity-fed water for washing, while our daughter Luna has been waist-deep in mud for days, shoveling out the basement. Liefke drove down from Boone before the roads were really passable and brought along her roommate Jeb. The two of them have been working 14 hour days with smiles and then still ask what else they can do. Family, friends, neighbors, and strangers from all over the country have worked tirelessly to clear the debris, remove mud, and prevent further damage. Without them, we may have had to abandon our home.

Now, we’re asking for your help to take the next steps. Follow our journey and progress on Instagram @thomas_family_helene_recovery where we’re sharing updates on our house, homestead and business rebuilding efforts.

Thank you for any support you can give—whether it’s donating, sharing this campaign, or keeping us in your thoughts. We are deeply grateful for the love and kindness that has already surrounded us, and we believe that with your help, we can rebuild and move forward stronger than ever.

Matthew, Tanya, Liefke, Luna & Jackson