Hurricane Helene has left a significant mark on Western North Carolina, causing catastrophic damage and leaving many residents without food, clean water, shelter, fresh clothes, and electricity. As of the latest reports, the death toll stands at 102 verified storm-related deaths, with numerous individuals gravely injured or reported missing. The toll on local communities has been intense, creating anxiety and chaos as families search for missing loved ones while struggling to cope with their losses. However, amidst this tragedy, hundreds of people are working tirelessly to help rebuild and donate essential supplies.
Adopting Watauga High School
On September 28, David Koontz, director of Career and Technical Education and Federal Programs, announced that the district was partnering with Davie High School to “adopt” Watauga High School to send a variety of necessities to those impacted by the storm. Through this donation drive, the county would help volunteers give needed assistance to the most highly hit areas: Boone, Banner Elk, and Elk Park.
The response from the Davie High community was “overwhelming,” according to CTE teacher Will Marrs, whose classroom was the central collection point for all donations. By October 1, the Davie High community had already collected just shy of 1,000 items.
Thanks to the dedication of students, teachers, and community members, the Davie High relief efforts quickly gained momentum. Marrs explained that “at least 1,000 items were donated just from the football game alone,” referring to the recent Davie High football game.
“It was just an absolute outpouring of support,” Marrs said.
As the donations continued to pour in from every corner of the school and the local community, he told The Weekly Talon that “we stopped counting” how many they had received, though he estimates that, in total, the school received nearly 100,000 donations. The donation drive was more than just a simple collection of goods; it became a demonstration of the community’s resilience and willingness to come together in the face of disaster.
The efforts to collect and distribute supplies were not without logistical challenges, but the students and volunteers were determined to make sure the most affected areas received the help they needed. Two large loads of supplies were transported to western North Carolina using two large 20-foot-tall car trailers. These trailers were packed to the roof with a variety of essential items, from blankets and coats to canned food, cleaning supplies, and toiletries. When the trailers arrived at the devastated areas, Marrs noted that people were already waiting to unload the items and distribute them as quickly as possible. The swift organization response from the Davie High community helped ensure that the much-needed relief reached the people on the ground without delay.
How the School and Community Are Helping
Beyond simply donating items, the students and teachers of Davie High School became involved in more hands-on relief work. Members of the Davie County Future Farmers of America (FFA) played a key role in assisting local farmers who had been severely impacted by the storm. The FFA helped a local farmer transport 300 bales of hay to Boone, an effort crucial to prevent erosion caused by flooding and to ensure that livestock had enough food during the recovery period. The hay was an essential resource for both the farmers and the community at large, underscoring how the agricultural community was particularly hard hit by the storm.
The relief efforts also highlighted the power of collaboration between local groups. Marrs and Koontz worked closely with other organizations in the community to ensure the resources were allocated where they were most needed. Volunteers, including students from the school’s various clubs, joined forces to coordinate collection drives and outreach programs aimed at supporting students and teachers who had lost everything in the storm. The Davie County Junior Civitans Club, as well as several other school organizations, came together with the plan to help provide help to the schools of Elk Park. However, a generous donation was given by an anonymous party, which helped get the school back on track.
While these efforts have made an incredible impact in the short term, the need for help will continue as winter approaches. Many homes are still without power, and schools across the region remain closed or inoperable. Students from Davie High, alongside teachers, local businesses, and organizations, are working to gather additional supplies such as school books, clothing, blankets, and warm winter gear, which will be crucial for helping families in the affected areas survive the colder months.
Local businesses, such as Miller Tree Service from Davie County, have also played a key role in the recovery, offering their services to help clear debris and support cleanup efforts in the wake of the hurricane. The cooperative spirit—coming from all corners of the Davie County community—has shown the true strength of the community in the face of disaster.
Through their donations, hard work, and commitment, the people of Davie County are proving that even in the face of overwhelming hardships, the human spirit is capable of extraordinary kindness and generosity. The efforts of the students, faculty, and community of Davie County are having a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by Hurricane Helene and will continue to do so as the recovery process unfolds. Every coat, every can of soup, and every donation—large or small—serves as a reminder of the power of community to heal and rebuild, even after the most catastrophic of storms.
