04/15/2026
This post includes foul language. It is Not our normal post. But it is a direct copy of a post our founder put on her own page tonight. Life continues in WNC. We continue to run a food pantry. We continue to hand out heaters and fans and grass seed and vegetable seeds. We distribute sunflower seeds for families just reclaiming their land to detoxify the soil. The founder is continuing to work every week cleaning beads salvaged from one of the flood victims’ homes.
We don’t post as frequently, but the work continues. The founder still lives in and supports the community. And the trauma still informs daily experiences. Apologies if the curses offend anyone, but some experiences continue to be visceral. Driving past ravaged mountainsides daily? Families in need of basic necessities and living in campers nearly two years later? Wildfires sweeping through our mountains? The fish not returned to our streams? S**t, some of the people we LOVE have rebuilt new homes with help from outside agencies. But they drive past the ruins of their old homes to get to the new ones. They have the trigger of a life destroyed clearly on display every damn day and in the same state it was in September 2024.
Why don’t we post as much?
How many times can we tell the same story?
The volunteers stopped coming. The donations stopped. The needs remain but every day our capacity to offer aid decreases. It’s the reality of living through a disaster. The impact LONG outlasts the interest.
Anyway, here is the original post referenced above:
“There is a very compelling and authentic true crime series on Netflix by Dick Wolf (of Law & Order) called Homicide New York.
We all experienced 9/11. Season 3 Episode 5 of this show covers the disaster and it is the most compelling and honest take on it that I’ve ever seen. It’s the officers who responded and their real experiences. A few of the survivors. It is Such an honest portrayal.
I almost turned it off when I realized what the episode was about. I have the same reaction when media features Helene. There is a stupid fu***ng political ad right now that uses our tragedy to disparage an NC politician. Whatever the truth or not of this guy’s role in post-Helene response and recovery or failures in that, I fu***ng hate whoever thinks footage of what we survived is fair fodder. It is triggering as hell.
I wasn’t in NY in 2001. I was a middle schooler in gym class. And absolutely terrified. Because my mom worked in a big building and what might be next. My dad was in the medical field and would he be called to go? It was a child’s response but the fear is something tangible and I know every single one of us remembers where we were 25 years ago.
I cannot imagine the trauma of those who were at the World Trade Center. And I very Sincerely apologize for any single person this post is triggering to. But I was watching the show & realized I hadn’t changed the channel. I always change the channel when a 9/11 documentary comes on. Or anything related to Helene. I’m glad I kept this one on. And the post started just wanting to share like ‘hey, this s**t is well done.’
And I realized in writing the post that to some weird degree, seeing these cops retelling their experiences 25 years ago is kinda cathartic? I couldn’t fathom the experience in 2001. I still cannot now. But, I understand the trauma more now. I understand the survivor’s guilt, the utter chaos, just trying to understand what is happening and help those around you who are more impacted than you are.
This is a rant. And I hope it doesn’t come across wrong. I just mean, it’s a good show. And a very well done episode. And these people are fu***ng heroes. Even Twenty Five years later, we should be shouting from rooftops for every first responder and civilian who saw, faced, and ran into danger and tragedy and inexplicable trauma. And while our tragedy is not the same, I wanna say even nearly two years later- every single person who stepped up to feed a neighbor, offer power or warmth or resources in our community in the aftermath of Helene, I still see you and honor you. You are fu***ng heroes too.
Those of us who live through tragedies and disasters, we’re never the same. So you may not see updates and footage as constantly in the years that follow a disaster… but don’t forget the heroes. Or the victims. Make space to honor them even when it is no longer a headline.”
