In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina, leaving behind widespread devastation and disrupting the lives of countless communities and families. For many, the storm destroyed property and separated loved ones; it also upended a sense of security and normalcy, creating an urgent need for community support and resources to help them recover.
Communities across the state and country have shown up to support the people and communities impacted by Helene. UNC Chapel Hill has committed to providing disaster recovery and relief support and resources; this includes grants, day trips for community service, and a list of donation and volunteer opportunities.
Each year, the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) sponsors a community service project and jumped into action after the Hurricane hit, focusing its efforts on Swannanoa, a small town outside of Asheville. In December, HPDP staff, students, investigators, and Community Advisory Board members created craft kits for 50 students with special needs at W.D. Elementary School to spark their creativity just in time for the holiday season. HPDP Data Services Manager, Shannon Hales, has a personal connection to the school community. Her sister, Jessica Lehman, is a teacher in the Exceptional Children program at W.D. Williams. She and her husband have both taught in Buncombe County Schools for over 25 years. Shannon and her sister talked about what kind of donation would be most helpful for the kids, and they landed craft supplies that spark creativity. “Every class at our school had multiple students dealing with a complete loss after Helene,” said Lehman. “For families rebuilding everything, they are just dealing with so much right now.
Throughout the Fall, HPDP collected a variety of craft supplies, including festive stamps and stickers, crayons, watercolor paint, and sketchbooks. During HPDP’s annual meeting and in accord with the meeting theme, “Roots of Resilience: Self-Care, Work-Care, and Community-Care”, HPDP colleagues worked together to pack craft supplies into hand-decorated tote bags and wrote personal notes to each student. This service project emphasized HPDP’s commitment to community care and was especially meaningful to several staff and students with ties to the western part of the state.
Shannon Hales reflected on her own childhood, “I remember the thrill of new school and art supplies when I was in elementary school. I still get a little excited about them now! These kids and their families have experienced so much trauma. They are still just young kids.” In mid-December, Hales delivered the 50 bags to her sister’s school. “It was fun to be a part of bringing students the simple joy of new art supplies, and hearing their excitement about things like stamps, silly putty, and sparkly pipe cleaners — things that allow them to be kids.”
Lehman distributed the craft bags to her students just in time for the two-week winter break. She commented, “Everyone loves these gift bags! Brand new markers and crayons all their own? It’s so special.” This initiative shows us that even in the face of devastation, small acts of kindness can spark joy and help rebuild a sense of creativity and community.
Additional Resources:
UNC Responding to Hurricane Helene
Carolina Center for Public Service Hurricane Helene Resources and Opportunities