Swannanoa – As many are aware, the Swannanoa area was hit badly by Hurricane Helene. Food, gas, and water are practically non-existent. According to Swannanoa Fire Chief Anthony Penland, Swannanoa is experiencing “total devastation” and the “community is destroyed.” Buildings have been destroyed beyond repair—including many homes in the Beacon Village. The bridge connecting Swannanoa to the outside community was completely washed away. According to an article in Newsweek published Sept. 27, 2024, “Rain has been so severe in Asheville that it caused the Swannanoa River to crest at 26.6 feet after rising 19 feet in roughly 20 hours. The river, which is currently 10 feet above the level needed to reach major flood stage, has not surpassed 26 feet since 1791. “Record Flood Stage. This stage last occurred in April of 1791 according to Tennessee Valley Authority records. Catastrophic flooding of the Swannanoa River Valley is likely,” the National Water Prediction Service posted on the river gauge’s website.”
Many are still in need of assistance in the Swannanoa Valley area. The well established charity, Hearts with Hands on Warren Wilson Road, managed to get the road to their warehouse and offices repaired well enough, so that they could begin accepting donations and channeling them to those in need.
This Christian non-denominational organization, was founded by Ralph Sexton, Jr. Dr. Sexton assumed the position of Senior Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in 1988. He served as Senior Pastor until October of 2021. He was then granted the position of Pastor Emeritus by Trinity Baptist Church. Sexton is an active member of his community here in Western North Carolina. He was honored in 1994 with “Ralph Sexton Day” for his disaster relief work through the ministry. Governor Jim Hunt awarded him the “The Order of the Long Leaf Pine”, the highest honor a citizen of North Carolina can obtain for demonstrating his caring for the people of his state. For more information on Ralph Sexton current activities, see article: https://tribpapers.com/archive/2024/10/community/new-bridge-baptist-church-launches-trinity-task-force/64433/.
Dr. Greg Lentz is now the President and Director of Hearts with Hands. This amazing Christian 501-C-3 charity has a proven track record of delivering aid to those in need throughout the world. Greg Lentz Ministries was established in March of 1997. In October of 2014, Lentz became the director of Disaster Relief non-profit, Hearts With Hands. He and his family including daughter Alicia work tirelessly to help those suffering from a natural disaster. Their work is now needed right here, at home.
Hundreds of volunteers are helping to organize the influx of donations from throughout the area at the Hearts with Hands headquarters just past Warren Wilson College. Tractor trailers full of supplies are constantly arriving from throughout the state. Pallets need to be arranged so that water, food, hygiene, diapers in the various sizes, and other necessities reach their destination. Meals for shelters,first responders and volunteers are put together, ready to be distributed. Sorting, building boxes, and just organizing is needed. Thousands have been fed in the Swannanoa area, as they dig through the rubble to find some of their beloved belongings. Those wishing to pick up donations are directed to another area.
Supplies are available for pick up at the local Swannanoa Ingles for those in need daily 9-7 with Hearts with Hands and the Red Cross of North Carolina. Hot meals are served there from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM showers, laundry, and restrooms are available, with non-potable water, WiFi, and a FEMA reception center. Please note – this is not a drop-off point for donations. You can schedule a donation drop off at the website heartswithhands.org. Some of the MOST needed items currently are women’s deodorant, shampoo (travel size) shaving razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste, body wash, pull tob can goods such as soup, vegetable, and meat, plastic jar of tomato sauce, breakfast items, such as pop tarts, and granola bars, and individual cereal boxes. A list of all needed items can be found at https://www.heartswithhands.org/donate. To sign up to volunteer, go to: https://www.heartswithhands.org/volunteer-opportunities. You must sign up online for a specific time to schedule an appointment to bring in donations OR to volunteer at the warehouse.