Help Us Rebuild the Swannanoa Valley’s Youth Ballparks

Hurricane Helene took away more than just four fields – it disrupted a thriving community, leaving over 400 young athletes without a place to play. With your help, we can restore hope, create a legacy, and give the kids of the Swannanoa Valley the chance to reclaim their field of dreams.

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, bringing devastating flooding to the Swannanoa Valley. Among the hard hit were the youth baseball and softball fields at Veterans Park – fields that have been home to the Charles D. Owen Babe Ruth League for over 30 years. These fields weren’t just spaces for games; they were where our children learned teamwork, resilience, and passion, and where our community came together to support them.

Operation Love and Hope is a community-driven initiative to rebuild these four fields. But our vision doesn’t stop there. If we exceed our fundraising goals, we will expand the project to include other local fields that were destroyed by the storm, ensuring all young athletes in the valley have a place to play.

Our Mission and How You Can Help

1. Rebuild and Restore:

Our goal is to reconstruct these four fields to give over 400 kids, ages 3 to 16, a safe and inspiring place to play. Each field is being carefully designed with improvements to accommodate players and withstand the elements. Your contribution will fund essential items like grading, sod, fencing, scoreboards, benches, and protective netting, as well as amenities like bleachers and dugouts. With excess funds, we will extend these efforts to rebuild other local fields impacted by Hurricane Helene.

2. Heal and Inspire:

These fields are more than just dirt and grass; they’re places for children and families to reconnect, heal, and feel normal again. By giving them a place to play, we’re helping them process the effects of the storm and creating a sanctuary for our community to gather and grow.

3. Build for the Future:

This project is about more than just a one-time rebuild – it’s about creating a sustainable space that can continue serving future generations. We are partnering with local and national organizations to ensure that these fields remain well-maintained and accessible to every young player in the community.

Where Your Donations Will Go

To be transparent with our fundraising, we’ve broken down the project into specific components for each field. You can choose to support part or all of a component, and every donation brings us closer to getting the kids back on the field. Here are some of the key items that need funding:

Mission Critical Funding Needed:

Phase 2:

Funding Secured: $629,000

Funding Still needing to be raised: $537,000

Each sponsorship is an opportunity to put your name, family, or business behind a tangible part of the community’s healing journey. We’ll recognize major donors on plaques at the fields, so your contribution will be remembered for years to come.

How to Help

Donate: Every dollar helps! Whether you can give $10 or $10,000, your contribution will make a difference.

Sponsor a Component: If you’d like to fully sponsor part of the field (such as fencing, a scoreboard, or bleachers), please reach out, and we’ll ensure you’re recognized for your support.

Share Our Story: Even if you’re unable to donate, sharing this page with friends, family, and local businesses can bring us closer to our goal. Every share helps spread the word.

Together, we can rebuild more than fields – we can rebuild a future.