As water levels recede and power is slowly restored across Western Carolina, our communities are beginning to assess the aftermath of what many describe as a once-in-a-thousand-year event. Some of us still live without running water, navigate roads cluttered with debris, and pass loose power lines during walks through our neighborhoods. While the challenges we face can be overwhelming, there is hope to be found in the actions of individuals. Small, singular efforts can snowball into a massive impact, inspiring others to do the same. At United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County (UWABC), we are committed to sharing these uplifting stories as our mountain towns make the shift toward recovery.
One of these stories begins with Brian, a plumber from New Jersey.
During a visit to meet with community partners and discuss local recovery efforts, UWABC staff encountered Brian working in a quiet corner of the My Daddy Taught Me That warehouse—a key hub for resource distribution. Nestled between two large water tanks, Brian was busy connecting PVC pipes, building what would become a makeshift well.
Brian had traveled nine hours from New Jersey, originally planning to help a friend and her family. But upon hearing about the work My Daddy Taught Me That was doing—distributing resources across the community and organizing learning opportunities for students—he realized that the biggest need was to restore water at the warehouse. “I came down to help a friend,” Brian explained, “and it turned into, they need it more.”
Determined to make a difference, Brian stayed late into the night, focused on getting the well pump ready for a water delivery scheduled for the next morning. His passion wasn’t just about getting water flowing—it was about helping ensure students had the resources they need to thrive.
“This will affect more than my friend’s family,” Brian reflected. “This will affect more than her and her family this affects kids being able to learn or not learn. It’s actually just more important.”
Although Brian isn’t originally from Appalachia, his heart is fully aligned with our recovery efforts. He understands that providing students with safe, clean spaces to study is essential not only to their personal success but also to the long-term recovery of Western Carolina.
Brian isn’t a teacher, nonprofit leader, or city official—he’s a plumber by trade. But through his compassion and determination, he reminds us that every skill and every action matters. Brian’s story shows us that recovery isn’t just about rebuilding structures; it’s about rebuilding lives. And each of us, in our own way, can contribute to that.
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