Immediate Aid for Avery County Disaster Relief

Many of you have asked if there is any way you can help the people of Avery County (the place we call home), in the aftermath of the disaster from Hurricane Helene. Leslie and I are setting up a fund to help those most in need. In her professional life, Leslie provides speech therapy to the birth – 5 population, by traveling to their homes or daycare centers. This same population also happens to be very low on the socio-economic ladder. Through whatever life circumstances, they are always the most in need. They are also very proud people that would never ask for help. We are focusing our efforts on tiny communities such as Frank, Elk Park, Spear, Newland, Plum Tree, Green Level; all located in Avery County, in extreme Western North Carolina.

Upon reaching out to her speech families, Leslie has heard of some real horror stories. Family members being swept away in overflowing creeks and rivers, and are still missing. The family that saw their single-wide trailer get washed into the Toe River. Another family that has a trailer and cars intact, but had to be rescued by tying innertubes together to get them over the raging creek. They can’t get back to their home to get clothes, and they also can’t get to their jobs. The stories are endless. With my professional accounting skills, and Leslie’s connections to the families most in need, we are establishing a fund to provide immediate help. Our simple plan is to put cash into the hands of those most in need so they can get clothes, food, fuel, etc. We are starting the fund this morning (10/03/2024) and will close the fund on November 30th, with all money distributed. Joe will keep a record of who was helped, and upon request will provide a full accounting of where the money was distributed. This is not a 501c(3) non-profit. With your help we are simply providing immediate help until federal and state funds kick in.

If you would like to donate, then please do so either by through our GoFundMe page by directly sending money via Venmo @Joseph-Theys.

Thank you!

Joe & Leslie Theys