Restore H2o Dreams: Aid for Green River Outpost
Donation protected
Hurricane Helene universally exposed vulnerability across western NC, especially along the I-26 corridor where our riverside outpost of H2o Dreams Paddling School calls home, along the banks of the famed and fabled Green River.
We were not spared in the wreckage, with deposits and drifts of sediment spanning 6-8' and log jams as high as 30' up the river bank. Somehow, two of our structures survived but were badly damaged. Our work trucks and kayak trailer unfortunately were not spared and are the equipment workhorses of our operation.
Admittedly, I had us spread very thin financially. I invested heavily in our staff (which you should), and the expansion of our outpost. This left the business with a notable debt from this expansion and the storm really exposed the Achilles' heel of our operation, in that, we could not afford the cost of comprehensive flood insurance for our property or vehicles. Mortgaging our future with more loans does not make sense.
Community outreach, volunteering, and many long heartfelt conversations with patrons of H2o Dreams has convinced me to do what my pride usually prevents me from doing, ask for help. Our priorities with fundraising efforts are as follows:
- Purchase a 15-passenger van and fabricate a new kayak trailer
- Repair damages to our outpost buildings, purchase new trailer for storage
- Restore our power pole, entrance/exit gates, and other miscellaneous
- Replace our outpost tools that we have used for landscaping and building projects
- Replace damaged kayak equipment (most was salvaged, but some was lost)
- Crush and run gravel, mulch, pea gravel, native vegetation, and other landscaping needs to prevent erosion from future weather events
- Fuel and equipment costs
- Lost wages due to ceased operation for our full-time staff
Fundraising team: Fundraiser Team (2)
Christopher Wing
Organizer
Saluda, NC
Jordan McDaniel
Team member
Linda Clark
Team member