Months after Hurricane Helene faded from national headlines, residents and team members at Living Branches proved there’s no expiration date on kindness.
In April, the Living Branches community contributed more than $16,000 toward a new camper for a young firefighter in North Carolina who lost his home to the hurricane in late September 2024. His existing trailer – damaged by mold and ongoing water leakage – was no longer safe for him, his fiancée, or their dog.
The Living Branches project, called Care on Wheels, set out to change that.
“This young man served as a first responder for others during the hurricane,” said Edward Brubaker, president/CEO of Living Branches. “While he was rescuing others, his own home was destroyed and his life upended.”
Throughout April, the camper visited each Living Branches three campus, and the response was overwhelming. Residents stepped inside to take a look — then stepped right back out with donations in hand.
“Watching residents rally together reminded me how generous this community is,” said Tiara Demetrius, clinical liaison for Living Branches and one of the team members who collected donated items. “Residents had fun while doing something meaningful.”
After all the campus visits, the camper was stocked with everything a fresh start might need: brand-new bedding, clothing, pots and pans, and even homemade dog treats for the family pup. An additional $2,000 in donated gift cards will help the family buy groceries, fuel, and household basics.
The camper itself was purchased at a subsidized rate thanks to the generosity of Dan and Claire Keller at Indian Valley Camping Center, who were moved by the mission and wanted to help.
“We hope this gift, given with love and care from so many at Living Branches and in the wider community, helps this young family feel more secure,” said chief advancement offier Alexandra Metricarti.
When the time came to deliver the stocked camper, Living Branches board member Wendell Weaver (pictured above, center) volunteered to drive the fully stocked camper to North Carolina to its new owner (pictured above, right).
He met the young firefighter in person and handed over the keys, along with the warmth and support of an entire community behind them.
What they received wasn’t just a place to live: it was a home made by hundreds of hands and hearts.