In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Penland’s Community Collaborations team went to work immediately. With regular programming paused (YMCA After School art program, 11th grade memoir project, and 3rd grade moon journal project), they began volunteering with local supply distribution groups and centers (among them Penland’s after school program at the Spruce Pine Housing Authority) and attending meetings at the Mitchell Senior Center for updates in Mitchell County. Participating in these meetings and being on the ground at the distribution center, the team remained connected to the community and gained insight on how they could help.

Staff are volunteering in the Mitchell County Volunteer Resource Center, answering phones and helping connect people who need support with volunteers willing to provide services, including tree cutting, road grading, muck removal, brush clearance, firewood delivery, tarping and repairing roofs, mold remediation, delivery of food and fuel, coordinating large supply deliveries, and more. Hundreds of volunteers have come to the area to help.

In the Schools

Mitchell County students have been out of school since September 26th, with buildings and staff reallocated to meet the needs of the community following the storm. Many school buildings have been serving as shelters and distribution centers, and many staff members have been volunteering to help. Penland’s team met early on with school leadership, working on a plan to distribute enrichment materials to students who are not in school.

Mitchell County Elementary is distributing packets with academic activities for K-5 students, and our Community Collaborations team has been creating and distributing fun and creative art activity packets around the themes of observation, connection, and reflection— 600 each week!  With schools acting as distribution centers, families are able to get the supplies they need when picking up academic and art packets. Most importantly, we are pleased to report that all students have been accounted for.

These activities will continue through October. “Connection Week” will lead students through making friendship bracelets and sculpting pop up cards to share with friends, family, and helpers. “Reflection Week” will encourage them to take water bottles, in plentiful supply after the storm, and turn them into mosaic lanterns using glue and colorful tissue paper, adding beauty to the darkening days of winter. The team is also making packets for Mountain Opportunity, a vocational center that provides support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

For the Community Collaborations team, reconnecting with the students has been rewarding—

It has been really heartwarming to see teachers and students reconnected after the storm, even if just for a few moments. Lots of hugs and tears – it is so important for them to see one another and know that they are okay. Our teachers are the best.

-Stacey Lane, community collaborations manager

Several high fives and hugs, playing with slime with Bella. The kids are so happy to see each other. They run to each other and hug. Creed was happy about all the Nutella he has gotten to eat. They are excited about Halloween and sports! They just seem to want to get back to normal. I was lucky enough to see a new cheer being performed too!

-Lori Johnson, teaching artist

The Hive

“The kids helped bring a lot of supplies into the Food and Supply hub at The Hive. We joked that it was like opening a whole Dollar General store in six hours,” said Stacey Lane.

The Hive, Penland’s after-school art program at the Spruce Pine Housing Authority, has remained open since a few days after Helene, with expanded hours to serve youth while they are out of school. The Housing Authority was without power for about 10 days, and water is still not potable but is now flowing for other purposes. The majority of the space has been converted into a food and supply hub, which will remain up through October.

There is still space in the front for art and games. Donations have been overwhelming and much-needed as many residents don’t have cars and the closest grocery store is closed due to storm damage. Distributing donations has allowed us to get to know neighbors who have not previously attended events at The Hive. Many of our volunteers were severely impacted by the storm and will return over the coming weeks as life allows.

Youth from The Hive offering a door-to-door delivery service of supplies to their neighbors.

Donations have been overwhelming and much-needed. Many residents don’t have cars and the closest grocery store was flooded. Distributing donations has made it possible to get to know neighbors who have not previously attended events at The Hive. Many regular volunteers were severely impacted by the storm and will return over the coming weeks as life allows.

PENLAND COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS

Skilled artists, dedicated teachers, and deeply connected community members, Penland’s Community Collaboration staff works year round to enrich the lives of children and communities in Mitchell County. In 2024, Community Collaborations programs provided experiential arts education for 3,678 children and 3,964 adults through Teaching Artist in the Schools, Subs with SuitCASEs, Summer Camp, After School Workshops, Community Open House, community events, and other initiatives.

Despite being personally affected by the storm and getting by without phones, power, or running water for weeks, these wonderful humans have continued their important work during this extraordinary time. We are proud of our team and thankful to them for their efforts.

Left to Right: Therese Watkins, community collaborations program coordinator and Lori Johnson, teaching artist

Stacey Lane, community collaborations manager, works with fifth graders at the annual “Toes in the Toe” festival shortly before Hurricane Helene

If you would like to support Penland’s recovery or ongoing work, please consider making a gift today.