Polaroid from my parent’s driveway, taken last fall.
For those who don’t know, my little hometown, Waynesville, North Carolina, and the surrounding areas in the mountains of western North Carolina took a big hit last month from Hurricane Helene. I’m truly heartbroken, not just to see towns I’ve driven through completely swept away, but to witness so many people lose their homes, their land, and their friends and family. The list of missing people is still thousands long.
I love the mountains and Appalachia so much. It’s where I grew up, and a lot of my photography has been based around and inspired by this beautiful region. Even living in the desert now, thousands of miles from home, the Great Smoky Mountains are a deeply rooted aspect of who I am as a person and an artist.
With that said, I’ve compiled a list of positive stories from the community to share, as well as many places that need donations. Fall is a really important time of year in the mountains, and without tourists, many businesses will suffer. The lists below include places to donate for relief and businesses that could use some extra support right now! So grab something for a Christmas gift or buy something to donate.
𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀:
• Buy pottery from @eastforkpottery
• Buy coffee cups from @unitedbyblue (100% proceeds donated)
• Buy concert tickets from @theorangepeel (donations made for every ticket sold)
• Buy coffee/beans from @panaceacoffeehouse, @smokymtncoffeeroasters, and @orchardcoffee
• Buy gear and clothes from @mastgeneralstore
• Buy balsamic and olive oil at Corner Station Olive Oil
• Buy toys and gifts from @goldenrodplantandwine, @wallstreetbooksnc, or @sassafrassonmain
𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆:
• @belovedasheville
• @greatergoodcharities
• @brotherwolfrescue
• @worldcentralkitchen
I’m also putting together a print relief sale, @artistsforappalachia, so if you’re an artist who wants to contribute, please DM me!
Feel free to add more resources or places to donate in the comments!
#ncstrong 🩶
Exposure test on peel-apart Polaroids taken in the Blue Ridge Mountains last fall.
It’s hard to capture all I feel about western North Carolina and Appalachia right now. From 2,000 miles away, my heart aches watching my home fall apart. But if there’s one thing I know about mountain folks, it’s that they are resilient and will always find a way to help each other. So I’m going to do what I can from where I am!
Check the link in my bio for resources and ways to donate.
Featuring photos of the flooding in my hometown by @cabelltice, stories that moved me this week, and my sweet friend @connorballantyne, who’s on the ground in NC collecting donations and distributing essentials.
#ncstrong 🩶
