Re-Establishing Access for WNC Residents Post-Hurricane

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, millions of people in the Western North Carolina region have had significant life-changing impacts, including residential, private businesses, and farms. I’m Trey Enloe, a lifelong local of this region. My family has been in the area for over 100 years, growing apples and contributing to the community whenever and however we can. We’ve spent the last few days in the trenches, and what we’ve witnessed is quite frankly sickening. These folks have received unprecedented damage to their structures and property, and while many are completely gone, there are thousands that remain, and we want to continue to help where we can. Specifically, we will start close to home (Hendersonville, Bat Cave, Chimney Rock, Lake Lure) and expand as far as we can until the funds are exhausted.

Our primary goal through this fundraiser is to improve access for these individuals so they can at least return to their homes or businesses, retrieve belongings, pets, or simply return it to a livable state. As needs change we will also provide funding for any additional projects community members need as we come across them. As we’ve been assisting folks the past few days, the need I’ve witnessed is dire. With many people airlifted out of their homes, maybe to never return. We intend to use these funds to purchase or rent equipment, supplies (rock, pipe, etc.), hire help (manpower), or do whatever we can to hopefully get these folks back to their homes and businesses, or at least to the point where they can return safely and salvage some of their belongings, save pets, etc. We fully realize the state and federal government will be helping on large roads, etc., but our focus will be more on the individuals, folks that are traditionally last in line in an event like this.

Examples of projects we intend to pursue are based on accessibility first and foremost: cutting in new access roads, repairing drives, etc., as many of these properties are simply no longer accessible. Our tiny communities are handicapped by the loss of back roads, farm roads, and small once-traversable creek bridges. We intend to try and re-establish as many of these as possible.

I have hesitations asking folks for help/money as I’ve always been one to just do what it takes, but this is too big for me and my family. While we can continue to donate our time and efforts where we can, we can’t do it alone. Our communities need help, so we are asking for it. Give what you can, and we will use every penny to assist folks for as long as we can. For full transparency, I will keep everyone updated with our progress through our social media platforms @BrightBranchFarms, or @BrightBranchFarm on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook. Thank you and God bless!

GoFundMe needs the following information as well to release funds.

Who is overseeing the withdrawal of funds, into what bank account.

I (Trey Enloe) will be withdrawing the funds and have been/will continue to pay individuals performing work via check.

Who is responsible for the management of the funds (purchasing, distributing items, etc)

I (Trey Enloe) will personally be managing the funds and distributing to individuals or supply businesses based on each projects needs.

Will the funds be used for supplies or money? For either, how will you be distributing it amongst individuals and in what form? (i.e. cash distribution split evenly, etc).

The funds will all be used to pay for supplies or services depending on each individual project depending on needs. I.e if rock is needed it will pay for rock, if tree clearing is needed it will pay for the labor to clear trees, if a culvert is needed it will pay for the culvert. These payments will go directly to whatever/whoever is providing the supplies or service.

Timeline for the aid to be offered to individuals

Aid will be offered as long as funds are available or until I am able to quit funding the work personally whichever is longer.