Published by Carl. Last Updated on October 17, 2024.
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Avery County is home to Banner Elk and Sugar Mountain, but also the wonderful communities of Newland, Linville, and more. Multiple towns in the county were devastated by Hurricane Helene, and its people need everyoneโs help.
One way to help from afar is to support the people and businesses there via donations, gift card purchases, or to peruse their online shops (as long as they’re shipping).
In this guide, weโve compiled as many of them as we can find and vet, starting with local community organizations.
How to Help Western NC Relief and Recovery Efforts
Community Organizations
- Anne’s Kids (Newland) supported local children’s needs prior to Hurricane Helene and their work can use even more support after the storm.
- The Avery County Young Professionals organized Build Back Averyย to help families and individuals in the area that were affected by the hurricane.
- Crossnore Communities for Children has a disaster relief fund.
- Feeding Avery Families addresses food insecurity and assists residents of Avery County and surrounding areas. A $100 donation will help them purchase enough food for 525 meals.
- The Grandfather Community Foundation is helping their team members and residents of Avery County through this Hurricane Helene Relief fund.
- The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is supporting and can do even more with your donation.
- The Fund for Lees-McRae College will help Lees-McRae students and the campus.
- Lutherock Camp and Conference Center (Newland) has a recovery fund and is matching donations up to $100,000.
Individual Businesses
- Apple Hill Farmย (Banner Elk) has an online shop and a sponsorship fund for team members and the farm’s animals.
- Artisanal (Banner Elk) has a recovery fund to support:
- Emergency housing and shelter for staff who lost their homes
- Food, clothing, and basic necessities
- Support for rebuilding and recovering in the weeks ahead
- Avery Knifeworks (Banner Elk) has an online shop and gift cards for purchase.
- Banner Elk Cafe has gift cards for purchase.
- Be Scooped (Banner Elk) has gift cards for purchase.
- Country Bumpkin Candle Co. (Banner Elk) has a recovery fund after their recently opened store (June 1) flooded and suffered severe damage after Hurricane Helene.
- DeWoolfson Down Bedding & Fine Linens (Banner Elk) has an online shop and can be reached by phone at 1-800-554-3696.
- Elk Mountain Riding Company (Newland) is has a recovery fund and is also taking hay and feed donations. You can text them at 828-351-4041 to coordinate donations.
- Ensemble Stage (Banner Elk) has a donation fund with multiple sponsorship levels.
- Grandfather Vineyard & Winery (Banner Elk) has an online shop and gift cards for purchase.
- Gilded Age Antiques (Banner Elk) has a recovery fund for their store and for their manager, whose family was displaced by flooding due to Hurricane Helene.
- Hawksnest Snow Tubing (Seven Devils) has gift cards for purchase.
- Kaye’s By The River (Newland) has an online shop.
- The Liars Table (Elk Park) has an online shop for their sister site (Highland Croft Candle Company). They also have a relief fund via Venmo.
- Linville Falls Winery (Newland) has an online shop and has shared local donation opportunities.
- Mountain River Family Campground (Newland) was completely destroyed due to flash floods caused by Hurricane Helene. You can donate to their recovery with a booking and also support the family of this business by purchasing from their Amazon Wishlist.
- My Best Friend’s Bakery (Banner Elk) has an online shop.
- The Pedalin’ Pig (Banner Elk, Boone, and Blowing Rock) has gift cards for purchase. Their bartender Jess Dixon is also a designer and has an online shop. She had extensive damage to her home due to Hurricane Helene.
- The Pineoloa (Newland) has a recovery fund and is able to take some bookings.
- Stonewalls Restaurant (Banner Elk) has gift cards for purchase.
- Williams Deli
Note: If you know any businesses or community organizations in Avery County (or community organizations) that we missed, please kindly let us know in the comments and weโll investigate further.
Also, if you know any business owners who have not set up fundraisers or gift cards for purchase, please encourage them to do so or help them make it happen if you can.
What Else Can We Do to Help?
Are there any other ways we can help the people and businesses of Avery County and elsewhere in Western North Carolina? Let us know in the comments.
You can also share your favorite businesses in our North Carolina Travel Facebook Group.
More Hurricane Helene Resources
We are working on compiling as many resources as possible to help you help the people of Avery County and throughout Western NC, their towns, and the businesses that make them special.
- Asheville and Buncombe County Businesses (Black Mountain, Swannanoa, and More)
- Madison County Businesses (Hot Springs, Marshall, and More)
- Mitchell County Businesses (Bakersville and Spruce Pine)
- Rutherford County Businesses (Chimney Rock and Lake Lure)
- Watauga County Businesses (Boone, Blowing Rock, and More)
Here are our two main pages dedicated to relief efforts in the area.