The Honeymooners for Hurricane Helene Relief

We're raising funds to support those affected by Hurricane Helene in Buncombe County and Western North Carolina. All donations will go directly to the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, which will ensure that frontline nonprofits have the resources they need for the critical early response and continuing recovery efforts.

Our Story:

We’re Retha and Chris. Our journey to the US was a celebration of love—we eloped and got married on September 18th. But on our honeymoon in a mountain cabin in the hills around Swannanoa in Buncombe County, North Carolina, Hurricane Helene unleashed six months' worth of rain in just a few days leading to devastating floods. Combined with high winds and multiple tornadoes, the damage to the Swannanoa area is beyond catastrophic, with a growing number of fatalities. On Tuesday, 1st October, we were evacuated from the mountain with the help of the military and volunteers.

The destruction is overwhelming. Homes, businesses and critical infrastructure were either washed away or severely damaged by flooding and fallen trees. Tornadoes ripped through the forests, snapping trees like matchsticks. Landslides blocked roads, bridges collapsed, and mobile communications became nonexistent. Entire towns were literally wiped off the map. Throughout Buncombe County and the nearby city of Asheville, many communities still have very limited access to basic necessities like clean water, food, baby formula, nappies or sanitation.

Despite these overwhelming challenges, we’ve witnessed the incredible strength and resilience of the diverse local community. In the small mountainous area we were staying, neighbours and strangers from near and far offered each other support in ways we never could have imagined. We were truly welcomed as 'The Honeymooners' and want to use our story to help our new found Western North Carolina family in any way possible.

The road to recovery is long, and it will take an enormous effort and resources to rebuild. That’s why we’re asking for your help. Your donation, no matter the size, will go directly to those in need, helping to rebuild homes, businesses, restore essential services, and give hope to a community that’s lost so much.

We’re forever grateful for any support you can provide.

To reiterate, all funds we raise will go directly to The Community Fund of Western North Carolina who waive any administrative fees so that every donation goes directly to assistance.