Neighbors Helping Neighbors-Help Restore Our Beautiful Lake

Help Restore the waters of Lake Lure!

On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene brought historic rains and catastrophic damage to our beloved Lake Lure. This body of water known as "the gem of the Carolinas" and cherished by both residents and visitors, was left devastated by the storm. Boats were thrown ashore, debris now litters the water, and the lake's water quality has suffered.

We certainly understand that multiple agencies, including FEMA, will be (and already are) providing tremendous assistance to the town for lake clean-up efforts. This campaign is meant to ease the burden of local residents and lakeside businesses who are providing personal resources to assist with lake restoration efforts.

"The Restore Lake Lure campaign seeks to bridge the gap between governmental support and personal sacrifice."

Three key areas will be addressed:

1. Boat Retrieval: Hundreds of powerboats, kayaks, and paddleboards have been displaced into the lake and surrounding areas. Your contribution will be used to ease the burden of local residents and businesses providing their own resources to assist in the recovery process.

2. Debris Removal: The lake has been inundated with thousands of tons of floating and submerged debris. The clean-up effort will be a massive undertaking, requiring collaboration among multiple agencies and external support. Your contribution will be used to ease the burden of lakeside residents providing their own resources to assist in the debris removal process.

3. Water Quality Restoration: The lake's water quality has been compromised by the accumulation of harmful solids and hazardous materials. Your support will assist the Town by easing the taxpayer burden for any non-reimbursed costs associated with future lake management and water quality monitoring efforts.

“The Lake Lure community is resilient, but they can’t do this alone. Every donation, no matter the size, will help ease the burden of those making scarifies for the good of the community”.

"Restore Lake Lure" is championed and endorsed by:

• Jaimee & Brad Peters, Owners, Lake Lure Marine

• Paul & Cara Brock, Owners, Lured Market & Grill

• John "Spence" Romine, Owner, The Lodge on Lake Lure

• Hope & George Wittmer, Lake Lure Properties, LLC

• Sharon Decker, President, Tryon Equestrian Partners Carolinas Operation

• Lyn Weaver, Premier Sotheby's International Realty

• George Carter, GCC Real Estate & Property Management

• James Sciandra, NC Director, ACBS

• Ken Jordan, RestoreLakeLure Champion

Meet the Driving Force:

Hi! My name is Sydney Freerksen, and my family and I have been going to Lake Lure for as long as I can remember. After seeing the tragic pictures and video of the community, I felt helpless and really wanted to do something to help the place I love. I noticed many of you asking where you can donate to support the local families and businesses who are stepping up to help. So I decided (with help from my parents) to start this campaign! I'm 15 years old and a sophomore at Mansfield High School in Massachusetts. Every time we went to Lake Lure, I always brought a friend so we could go tubing, which is my absolute favorite thing to do! It’s my happy place, and I want to see it restored, even better than it was before. Please help the community Restore Lake Lure!

This is me on the right with my friend Ava this summer...

To learn more, view weekly content, and see how YOU made a difference, please visit www.RestoreLakeLure.com.

100% of the funds raised (minus any GoFundMe fees) will support the 3 initiatives above. Distribution guidance will be coordinated with our Champions named herein. Thank you for your support!

Sydney, Linda & Scott Freerksen