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Hubs of resources have been continuously popping up around Western North Carolina as neighbors work together to assess the damage from Hurricane Helene and build a path to recovery. People have been organizing from church parking lots to community centers and individual homes to ensure no one is left behind. To put it plainly, many people are getting in where they fit and stepping up where they see the need. At United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County (UWABC), our Community School Coordinators are no different.
Despite their own challenges, all of UWABC’s coordinators jumped into action, embodying the spirit of service. Whether checking on families, distributing essential supplies, or leading donation efforts, they showed up in ways that were deeply personal and impactful. I sat down with Hall Fletcher’s Community School Coordinator, Rachel Miller—also a local small business owner and mother of two—to talk about what it means to support your community, even when life is far from normal.
Like many in Appalachia, Rachel woke up on September 27 to a world without power or communication. A small creek by her home had become a rushing river, and parts of the gravel road leading out of her neighborhood had washed away. While her own family faced these disruptions, she remained focused on creating stability for her children.
"We have tried to the best of our ability to create a sense of normalcy and schedule for the children," said Miller, "The first few days were just all board games and roughing it out. We love to camp and we knew this was going to be a memory that would stick in their head for years to come. So, we tried to make it as fun as possible."
Her children missed the structure and community of their school, which they call their “third home,” a sentiment shared by families across the region.
Even while Rachel navigated the challenges at home, she was also managing the realities of running a small business, Valhalla Axe Throwing, located in the Asheville Mall. The storm's impact meant her business could not operate, yet she felt a deep responsibility to her employees.
Rachel explained the emotional and financial stress of balancing multiple responsibilities. “"I struggle with wanting to make sure my children are feelings are valid during this natural disaster and that their mental and emotional needs are met,” she said. “I personally feel like I have been blessed since we’ve been doing a little bit of school every day. I don't worry, nor am I stressing about potential testing or anything along those lines that can be made up later on. I think it's more of that mental and emotional aspect that makes me worry. There’s going to be some type of trauma and whatever that looks like, not just within my children, but for all of those surrounding who have seen even worse.”
At the same time, Rachel dealt with how to ensure the employees of her business were paid and her kids were getting a sense of routine, she stepped into a leadership role at the 6 Commerce Way warehouse. This UWABC and county-run operation is a major hub for collecting physical donations for storm victims. Not only did Rachel act as a volunteer lead at the 6 Commerce Way warehouse but also worked to resource Hall Fletcher Elementary.
"So far, we've had two full box trucks brought into the school's Family Resource Center, to ensure we are stocked and ready for our families when school is back in session. We know this is going to be such a long marathon for our families and community, and we need help and resources for months to come. "
This balancing act highlights how UWABC staff—like Rachel—are empowered to meet their personal needs while showing up for the community. United Way recognizes that the well-being of its coordinators is essential for them to be effective leaders in the recovery effort. Rachel's ability to navigate her business, family, and volunteer commitments reflects the kind of flexibility and support UWABC offers so its staff can make the greatest impact possible.
The road to recovery will take more than immediate action. Mental health, which was already a concern before the storm, has now become an even greater challenge. Rachel stressed the importance of mental and emotional support for both students and families: “We need to build out not just resource centers but also support groups. We were already planning on creating these within the schools, but now it's even more urgent to offer group and/or individual counseling for not only our students, but the families as well."
Rachel emphasized that recovery won’t be quick, nor will it be limited to those with visible damage. Recovery will take patience, and support will need to extend beyond individuals. Small businesses, schools, and families will require long-term assistance in multiple ways. “I feel like we’ve already been thinking about this path. Helene just sped it up. The needs that were already in our community just expanded. There are more folks who are going to be needing help.”
Long-term partnerships are vital for sustainable recovery. Rachel reflected on the beauty of seeing people from across the country showing up to help: “Just seeing the community come together so much. It’s been really beautiful, not even just inside the community but outside of this area too. I have been working over at the warehouse and we’ve had folks coming in from all over the country to help and who are literally just camping in the warehouse parking lot just because they want to be involved and they want to help out.”
UWABC and its partners are committed to walking this long road with our community, supporting families, schools, and businesses every step of the way. This is a marathon, not a sprint—but together, we will cross the finish line.
Want to Support UWABC staff like Rachel? Donate here
Want to volunteer your time to Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts? Use Hands On today!
