In the wake of the most devastating natural disaster to hit Western North Carolina, Mrs. Stephanie Johnson founded Rebuilding Hollers Foundation, a community-based nonprofit committed to restoring the homes, businesses, farms, and lives of her neighbors in Yancey and Mitchell Counties. This week, Rebuilding Hollers received an incredible donation from Eblen Charities to assist their efforts. The $100,000 donation will go toward 6 recovery and restoration projects. “We love our projects and know their needs completely. Sharing their stories and next steps with organizations that care deeply is such an honor. Grants like this are life changing for our projects,” shared Stephanie Johnson.
An integral part of the foundation is their partnership with the Mountain Heritage High School carpentry program in which the students are working to build tiny homes for community members whose homes were lost during Hurricane Helene. Executive Director Brian Hall stated, “Eblen Charities is proud to partner with Rebuilding Hollers and the Yancey County Public School System in our continued recovery from Hurricane Helene. We are amazed at the work that Rebuilding Hollers is doing, and they are a shining example of a local boots on the ground organization that is making an impact in the county. We are also thrilled to see that one of the tiny homes constructed by Mountain Heritage students will be aided by our funds and received by a deserving new home owner!”
With many more citizens still in need of housing, the carpentry class is eager to continue building homes that will help their community. CTE Director for Yancey County Schools Cynthia Deyton shared, “Rebuilding Hollers has been an invaluable partner to the MHHS Carpentry program in our efforts to support flood victims. Their dedication has not only brought vital awareness to the struggles faced by many in our community but has also delivered real, hands-on support to help families return to safe and healthy homes.”
