Published by Caleb. Last Updated on October 22, 2024.
Disclaimer: This site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. Revenue from our advertising and affiliate links goes back into our business and toward supporting communities affected by Hurricane Helene. Please visit our Disclosure and Privacy Policy pages for further explanation.
Yancey County is one of the most beautiful areas of Western North Carolina and one of the places we’re most heartbroken to see dismantled by Hurricane Helene.
The list of places affected includes:
- Towns
- Burnsville (the largest town in Yancey County)
- Celo
- Green Mountain
- Micaville
- Numerous others
- Natural Attractions
- Big Tom Gap
- Mount Mitchell
- Crabtree Falls
- Roaring Fork Falls
- Setrock Creek Falls
- The Black Mountain Campground
- Many More
These towns and tourist attractions have thousands of people and hundreds of small businesses that form the backbone of the local communities. The locally owned businesses need help, and one of the best ways we can do that from afar is by making donations and purchasing gift cards.
So, we’ve pulled together as many as we can into this guide!
Local Organizations
Some of these local organizations are based in Yancey County and nearby Mitchell County, which includes the towns of Bakersville and Spruce Pine, among others:
- Glory Hound Events: is a local organization that organizes annual marathons and races around Western North Carolina, including the Ascent on Mountain Air in Burnsville, NC (all proceeds go back into the local community). You can currently buy gift certificates to put towards future races.
- North Carolina High Peaks Trail Association: This organization advances the publicโs awareness, education, understanding, and appreciation of nature, wildlife, and the natural environment by engaging in outdoor recreational activities in the mountains of Western North Carolina. They are still accepting donations.
- Pensacola Volunteer Fire Department: Donations Accepted
- South Toe Volunteer Fire Department: Donations Accepted
- Toe River Arts Disaster Recovery Fund for Mitchell and Yancey Artists: Toe River Arts has worked to improve the quality of life in the Toe River Valley by connecting artists, the arts, and communities. Make a Donation.
- South Toe Valley Recovery Fund: Donations Accepted
- Tractor Food and Farms: A nonprofit food hub for the greater Western North Carolina region. Donate here.
- Treats Studios: A collection of afflicted WNC artists/galleries/arts organizations. You can submit yourself on behalf of someone else or donate directly.
- Yancey County Government Helene Relief: Donate by check or by Venmo
- The Yancey Fund: An organization that seeks to inspire philanthropy and strengthen charitable organizations serving Yancey County. Donate Here
- WAMY Community Action: An organization helping low-income families affected by Hurricane Helene, specifically in Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey County. Donate Here
Individual Businesses in Burnsville and Yancey County
Many small businesses in Burnsville and elsewhere in Yancey County are significantly damagedโsome beyond repair.
Here are some small businesses that you can support while they seek to restore their business and support their employees through this disaster. You can help them with a donation, purchase a gift card, or book a tour/stay with them for 2025!
- Burnsville Anglers: Book a fly fishing trip
- Burnsville Candle Co: Free Shipping on Orders over $75
- Bubba’s Good Eats (Burnsville): Let them cater your next event!
- Camp Celo (Mount Mitchell): Donations Accepted
- Celo Inn (Mount Mitchell): Donations Accepted
- Carolina Country Inn (Burnsville): Book a Stay in 2025
- Flowers By Vance (Burnsville)
- Hearth Glass & Gallery(Burnsville): Shop Glass Art Online
- Hot Mess (Burnsville): Donations Accepted
- Ironwood Arts Massage Therapy (Burnsville): Buy a Gift Card
- Grapevine Clothing (Burnsville): Shop Online or Buy a Gift Card
- Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat Center (Mount Mitchell): Book a family reunion, wellness retreat, corporate retreat, wedding, or other event here in 2025
- NC Outdoor Adventures: Donations Accepted
- Parkway Playhouse: Donations Accepted
- Penland School of Craft: Donations Accepted
- Pig and Grits (Burnsville): Buy Gift Cards
- Plott Hound Books: Buy books online via Bookshop
- Southern Drifters Outfitters: Book a Fishing Tour / Buy a Gift Card
- Snakeroot Ecotours: Follow their recovery / Volunteer
- Side Note: Carl interviewed the owner Tal Galton for NC Travel Chat and learned about forest bathing and other ways he helps people escape via the outdoors.
- Tin Roof Pottery (Burnsville): Shop Online
- Yummy Mud Puddle (Burnsville). The creative base for printmaker Claudia Dunaway, mixed media artist John D. Richards, and handmade textile crafter Kathryn Lynch. They’ve put up an extensive collection of art for sale to stay afloat financially. Buy a handmade product early for the holidays.
- Side Note: A few years ago, Carl and Christina spent a morning with Claudia and John and recorded a lively and fun interview.
Note: If you know of any businesses or organizations in Burnsville or other places in Yancey County that we missed, please let us know in the comments, and weโll investigate further.
What Else Can We Do to Help?
Are there any other ways we can help the people and businesses of Yancey 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 Western NC, their towns, and the businesses that make them special.
- Avery County (Banner Elk, Sugar Mountain, and More)
- Buncombe County (Asheville, Black Mountain, and More)
- McDowell County (Marion, Old Fort, and More)
- Madison County (Hot Springs, Marshall, and More)
- Mitchell County (Bakersville and Spruce Pine)
- Rutherford County (Chimney Rock and Lake Lure)
- Watauga County (Boone, Blowing Rock, and More)
- More Coming Soon!
Here are our two main pages dedicated to relief efforts in the area.