When Hurricane Helene roared ashore in September 2024, it didn’t just flood homes in Asheville, North Carolina, it flooded lives with heartbreak. But now, nearly a year later, hundreds of helping hands have brought something powerful back to this resilient community: hope.
On June 24, around 300 volunteers rallied in Asheville to rebuild what Hurricane Helene had torn apart. With help from The Home Depot Foundation, Appalachia Service Project, 365 Connect, and ToolBank Disaster Services, the community saw new life breathed into their neighborhoods, and hearts.
The group came together at the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) Center, a nonprofit that tackles poverty, hunger, homelessness, and provides healthcare for underserved populations. Their mission? To finish rebuilding homes and a community center lost to the devastating storm.
And finish, they did, framing walls for 15 to 20 new homes, updating therapy rooms and offices, installing kitchen appliances in a new food distribution center, and even painting custom murals. Every nail, brushstroke, and smile carried the spirit of rebuilding.
“I’m blown away by what I’m seeing,” said Army veteran Michael Christopher Maria. “They’re helping us restore our lives. … It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Another veteran, Marine Corps servicemember John Richard Talbot Jr., shared similar gratitude: “I feel very thankful and happy … that they’re helping us so much.”
Helene was a beast of a storm, a Category 4 hurricane that left a trail of destruction across the Southeast. More than 200 lives were lost, including 11 members of one North Carolina family and four Ukrainian refugees who had fled war only to face a tragic flood. Power outages, missing persons, and demolished homes became the norm in its deadly wake.
In the months since, The Home Depot Foundation has packed thousands of disaster relief kits and committed $8.5 million to recovery efforts in 2025. Their work in Asheville is part of a larger commitment to support storm-ravaged communities across the country.
But for the people of Asheville, what matters most isn’t the numbers. It’s the people behind them.
As Michael put it best: “Totally amazing.”
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