10/30/2024
We would like to start by saying a heartfelt THANK YOU for those who have contributed to our community scholarship fund. We have made 20% of our goal! Our tiny yet mighty fund is enabling us to make a direct impact for our community and it is filling our hearts to be able to be of such service and our community is deeply grateful for these funds. We have been able to provide critical care to first responders, neighbors, and other community members who need it.
Those of us with the least impact are still under a great deal of stress and upheaval. We are also seeing many people with new injuries, emotional loss, artists who have lost everything in their studios, independent businesses (the lifeblood of our WNC region) suffering with terrible losses - the loss of an entire building that floated down the street, loss of revenue simply due to lack of foot traffic now, and so much more.
We are here supporting our people with shock, trauma, survivior's guilt, fear, and simple (yet deep) exhaustion. This situation is as vast and complex as our landscape and it continues to unravel and reveal itself. The adrenaline is beginning to wear off and folks are starting to realize that although a tree didn't fall on their house (or worse) - they are indeed not doing OKAY. This is the second wave of need and we anticipate it will continue on as people shake off the numbness of their initial response. We have only recently moved into the "recovery" phase. We would like to be able to provide as much support in the coming months as possible.
Unfortunately, we do not have the reach or visibility that so many bigger operations have. If you feel called, would you share this with your network of family, friends, and colleagues? This is a direct way you can impact individual lives. Please share our google reviews (https://tinyurl.com/y332j28f) so that folks can understand the quality of care we provide and the care we have provided for the community over the last 13 years.
We dearly appreciate you sharing this Community Scholarship Fund far and wide so we can continue to help our community pick up the pieces and heal.
With Tremendous Gratitude,
Nikki & Chad Johnson
https://gofund.me/8fb181b9