Western North Carolina
Western North Carolina is home to one of the most impactful places in my life, the Arthur Morgan School. Located in a tiny area called Celo. Many tiny areas are facing absolutely catastrophic damage after Hurricane Helene. And while Asheville is in the news, the surrounding areas of Micaville, Burnsville, Boone, Spruce Pine, and many more, are not. This was my home. This place helped shape the artist am I am today, and more importantly, gave me the gift of crochet that I actively use every day to make the very special plushies that you have come to know and love. I probably wouldn’t have learned if it wasn’t for this home.
If you cannot afford one of my creations ( or can but want to donate extra!!! ) but want to donate directly to vetted organizations taking money to help the affected areas, please see below.
Arthur Morgan School:
This place had a direct influence on my life and on the craft I know run a business off of, today. To donate to them directly: https://www.arthurmorganschool.org/home/giving/ - Subject “Hurricane Relief” in the comment section.
Friends of Camp Celo:
A summer camp and farm right next to the Arthur Morgan School and a staple in the local community. To donate to them directly: Friends of Camp Celo Paypal. - Subject “Hurricane Relief” in the comment section.
The Celo Health Center:
Medical Care center for the people of Celo North Carolina. To donate to them directly: Mountain Community Health Partnership Paypal. - Subject “Hurricane Relief” in the comment section.
Path: Partners Aligned Toward Health:
Run by a friend of a graduate of AMS, this organziation is going to be coordinating and oraganizine volunteers and releif effors for Burnsville, NC. To donate to them directly: PATH - Mark your donation as Hurricane Relief.
The South Toe Fire Department:
This is the local fire department for the Burnsville, NC area. They are raising money via GoFundMe, or you can donate to them directly through Venmo. - Subject “Hurricane Relief” in the comment section.
GoFundMe: Urgent Relief for Celo, NC Residents:
This is a large GFM is for the residents of the Celo community, for immediate help while waiting on Red Cross and FEMA assistance: Donate here.
American Red Cross NC Donate to Hurricane Helene Relief:
_____
Manna FoodBank:
https://www.mannafoodbank.org/
_____
United Way of North Carolina:
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/1nSUgw?vid=17w8i5
_____
Operation Airdrop:
https://www.operation-airdrop.com/hurricane-helene
____
Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky Helene Response Fund:
https://appalachianky.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund...
____
F.A.R.M. Cafe: Provides high quality, locally sourced meals to residents of the high country regardless of means.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/...
____
Spruce Pine Emergency Relief Fund:
____
Samaritan’s Purse Boone (Personally, I do not support Franklin Graham or any of his organizations, but SP is genuinely providing necessary services to the region at this time.)
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/.../pray-for-those-in.../...
___
BeLoved Asheville:
https://belovedasheville.com/get-involved/
___
Forsyth Humane Society (pet fosters):
https://www.facebook.com/ForsythHumaneSociety
_____
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry:
https://www.abccm.org/donations/ministry-fund/
____
Homeward Bound in Asheville:
____
Mountain Projects:
___
WNC Regional Livestock Center:
https://www.facebook.com/WNCLivestock/
___
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund:
____
For information on a variety of mutual aid support funds to help individual communities, please visit the Appalachian Funders Network and Appalachians for Appalachia facebook pages, where PayPal and Venmo information is being circulated.