Elk River Helping Hands Update

August 2025

IMAGINE having a granddaughter who you recently gained custody of who desperately needs $4,000 in dental work due to neglectful parenting, and she is not eligible for Medicaid due to the circumstances of her birth.

IMAGINE you live in a home near the river with your husband and four children. Hurricane Helene hits and destroys your home, your husband dies, and you are now the sole provider and parent of four children with no place to live.

As you may recall, Elk River Helping Hands (ERHH) came about because of stories like these about High Country residents who were in desperate, sometimes life and death, situations and needed financial help. We heard many of these stories from our first responder friends who often find themselves intimately involved with these cases. Western North Carolina, particularly Avery County, and adjacent Carter County, Tennessee, are home to many low-income families who are not equipped to deal with difficult and expensive crises. Our mission is “to provide financial support quickly and DIRECTLY to residents of the High Country who face desperate circumstances.” 

After introducing the formation of ERHH, a core group of donors quickly began to make contributions. This seed capital allowed us to begin providing assistance to people in need almost immediately after receiving our 501(c)3 charity designation. And then came Hurricane Helene and hundreds more crisis situations literally overnight!

It’s hard to believe but it has already been one year since ERHH was formed. In addition to helping those facing crises in our community, we have sought ways to raise funds and awareness of ERHH.  Over $2 million in donations have been received to date, and we have provided financial assistance to over 300 individuals and families, but we are continuing our fundraising efforts because there are still many High Country residents who are in need of help.  One avenue has been with a series of concerts sponsored by ERHH in 2025, with additional concerts being planned for 2026.

By supporting Elk River Helping Hands, you’re helping those people in Western North Carolina who often feel forgotten, and desperately need help recovering from disastrous occurrences. Your contributions truly make an impact. Please visit our website elkriverhelpinghands.org to make a donation. 

Thank you once again for your consideration and commitment to Elk River Helping Hands.

Sincerely,

The Elk River Helping Hands Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and our wonderful volunteers

Financial update