新媒网 · 跨境数据社区

Our hearts go out to the people of California as they face the immediate devastation of the ongoing wildfires. The destruction of homes, businesses, and communities, coupled with the uncertainty of what comes next, is a feeling we know all too well here in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. After Hurricane Helene, many of us found ourselves in shock for weeks, holding on to hope that insurance or FEMA would help us rebuild. It wasn’t until 8.5 weeks later—just before Thanksgiving—that denial letters from FEMA arrived, and reality sunk in. We were on our own in this recovery. The true scope and depth of the devastation in our region never received widespread attention. News crews flew into larger cities like Asheville, but rarely ventured into the rural areas where the damage was widespread and recovery resources were deeply needed. Just a few weeks later, national attention shifted to Hurricane Milton as it approached the coast. When Milton ultimately proved less severe, some relief groups returned to WNC, but the media did not. Without the visibility needed to draw sustained support, we were left to rebuild through the long, dark days of winter with limited resources. This winter has been especially harsh, with below-freezing temperatures lasting for days and snow falling almost daily. Real-feel temperatures have stayed in the negatives, making survival—not rebuilding—our immediate focus. Generators, propane, and heaters have become critical lifelines, and Rising Light Relief has worked tirelessly to ensure neighbors in need have access to these essentials. Even in these challenging times, we’ve been deeply moved by the generosity of those who continue to step forward to help. This week, we received donations from a local pastor in Mitchell County, another pastor in North Carolina who heard about our efforts through volunteers, and our friend Kris Swiatocho. Friends, family, and new supporters from all over the country have supported us through monetary donations or by sending supplies from our Amazon needs list, helping us address critical needs. Before this generosity arrived, we were critically low on supplies. As larger groups have pulled out and other distribution centers operate with limited hours, more and more community members have turned to us. Yet we’ve seen incredible acts of kindness: a family sharing their extra green propane cans when they noticed we were out, a van full of supplies arriving from East Alarka Baptist Church in Bryson City, and our dear friend Bud from Appalachian Navy, who has been our sole supplier of the larger propane tanks that so many here depend on for heat. We are proud to serve as a safe space where anyone in need can find help, connection, and support, regardless of religious affiliation. That mission is made possible by the generosity of diverse groups—religious and non-religious alike—who believe in helping their neighbors. Partnerships with organizations like World Central Kitchen and others have also been critical in ensuring we can continue to meet the needs of our community. Even as donations and volunteers grow scarcer, the support we’ve received from churches, community members, and organizations has been a lifeline. We’re incredibly thankful, but the need remains. Every dollar, donation, or hour of volunteer time helps ensure that our neighbors can stay warm, fed, and safe this winter. As California reels from the wildfires, we hope their recovery will receive the attention and resources it deserves—not just now, but in the months and years to come. And as we continue our quiet recovery here in North Carolina, we invite you to remember the communities that never got the headlines but still need help. If you’d like to learn more or support our efforts, visit https://risinglightrelief.org . Together, we can make a real difference.