Update on Hurricane Helene Relief and Recovery 20 October 2024:

Pastor Kathy has been able to contact most of the members of our church family in the WNC mountains and Florida concerning Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. No one has been injured, some have had minor repairable damage, but our members who have homes in the LH Meadows are evaluating the damage and those who were staying at the Down by the River Campground lost their trailers. Avery County Schools hope to open in early November. Relief and recovery efforts continue in Western NC and in Florida. FEMA, the National Guard, EMS, Fire and Police staff, electrical, water, and road crews, Samaritan’s Purse, and many churches and service groups continue to work on clearing trees, roads, and debris, rebuilding culverts, laying pipe, providing basic supplies, and finding temporary housing for folks who are still without power.

We had our first snowfall with temperatures in the lower 30s. Temporary shelters have been opened to keep people and pets safe. FEMA visited our church this week and is checking on how to assist churches that have been damaged- Fellowship Presbyterian Church, Mountainside Lutheran Church, Banner Elk Presbyterian Church, and Pineola Baptist Church have all been flooded. We are inviting churches to use our worship space if needed. Please continue to keep in your prayers everyone who is still struggling with basic needs- housing, food, clothing, power, water- and those who have come from all over the country to help. God is a sure and present help in the midst of it all!

Our Session has established a Hurricane Relief Fund that will be used to assist our partner non-profits in Avery County when there are no government or private funds to cover expenses for those in desperate need. You can contribute by sending a check to Crossnore Presbyterian Church, designate it for Hurricane Relief, and mail it to P.O. Box 386, Crossnore, NC 28616 or you can go to the “Give Now” button at the top left and right on this website. It will take you to donation categories [Read More]. All donations to Special Mission and General Missions will go to hurricane relief. Since October 1, we have raised over $40,000. Thanks be to God! Pastor Kathy is visiting with our non-profits and finding out the financial needs that are not being met and will not be met. Hurricane Relief Volunteer Opportunities at this time: Reaching Avery Ministry- next to Dollar General in Newland- Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.- help with food boxes and clothing distribution; Feeding Avery Families- look at their Facebook for details; Newland Fire Department- delivering supplies to homes; Frank and Green Valley Communities- down 194 towards Spruce Pine, turn to the right and go to the Frank Fire Department- need volunteers to clear debris and clean out mud from buildings.