LANSING, N.C. — Lansing in Ashe County was decimated by Hurricane Helene, and in the weeks since, the community is trying to rebuild and transition.
Tommy and Diana McClure count themselves among the lucky ones, but their family lost pretty much everything. That’s a common story you'll hear as you walk around Lansing and speak to people.
Some stores in the town are full of supplies, with warm weather clothes and cleaning supplies mixed in to help people recover. But the town is in a transition period now.
Lora Young, who is helping run operations, said it's all about finding the needs others have and efficiently answering the call.
"Most people coming in now are needing more for cold weather," Young told WCNC Charlotte.
Many volunteers from the community are helping people find what they need amongst the supplies and giving advice where they can. Residents find themselves in a long and arduous clean up phase, which means dealing with hazards and mud.
While volunteers like Young continue to stock and sort supplies in downtown Lansing and at the Historic Lansing School, Leeth Davis and his wife put their talents and time together to create Lansing’s Bridge to Recovery.
"The need far exceeds our ability to help people, but we're trying to scale as fast and responsibly as we can," Davis said.
The newly formed 501(c)(3) nonprofit is utilizing whatever resources it can put its hands on to help the Lansing community as well as others in the Ashe County area. People are banding together in whatever way they can to move forward, however that looks.
"I count myself privileged to be able to be here and help, but also doing this with so many good people," Davis shared.
If you'd like to support the nonprofit, a GoFundMe has been set up to accept donations online. As of Thursday morning, over $39,000 has been raised.
Contact Colin Mayfield at cmayfield@wcnc.com or follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.