Support North Carolina recovery: Shop holiday gifts from hurricane-hit businesses

Helene survivors give back during holiday season

Communities battered by Hurricane Helene are not just rebuilding their lives, they are stepping up to bring joy to children worldwide this holiday season through Operation Christmas Child, a program of the evangelical humanitarian aid organization Samaritan's Purse. Edward Graham, chief operating officer for Samaritan’s Purse, joined LiveNOW from FOX to discuss the cause.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The holiday shopping season has become an opportunity to support North Carolina businesses, still reeling from Hurricane Helene.

The storm killed more than 200 people in multiple states and hit western North Carolina particularly hard.

Helene brought widespread devastation to western North Carolina, causing 1,400 landslides and damaging over 160 water and sewer systems, according to the state budget office. It also disrupted transportation networks across the region by damaging at least 6,000 miles of roads and more than 1,000 bridges and culverts, the budget office said.

‘Love Asheville from Afar’

The town of Asheville, known for its artists and restaurants, is a tourist destination and the economic hub of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountain communities.

Now, besides hoping that visitors will return for the holidays, Asheville’s artists and small businesses are pitching their handcrafted goods as gifts online to speed recovery.

The heavily damaged River Arts District lets artists sell directly through its website. And the tourism authority Explore Asheville has set up a site called "Love Asheville from Afar."

For food lovers

Button’s dream of opening an authentic Spanish tapas restaurant in the United States culminated in the James Beard award-winning Curate Bar de Tapas. That was followed by a cafe, wine bar and retail space, La Bodega by Curate. You can support both the restaurant and local artist Lori Theriault by purchasing one of Curate’s signature handmade ceramic pigs. They come as Christmas ornaments ($38) or toothpick holders ($29).

White House Christmas tree selected from Helene-ravaged North Carolina farm

A tree farm in western North Carolina will provide the White House’s Christmas tree from what was a hard-hit area of the state during Hurricane Helene. The owner of Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm in Newland, North Carolina, said they have never been selected to supply the nation’s Christmas tree, but doing so is an honor not only for the family but also for the entire region.

Dan Rattigan and Jael Skeffington started French Broad Chocolate in their home kitchen, selling their confections at local farmers markets. The business has grown to include a downtown retail space and a large factory and tasting room by the French Broad River. The factory space is currently closed to the public, but their delicious bonbons, hot chocolate mixes and peppermint bark ($35) are available online.

The building where the Asheville Tea Company works its magic was a total loss in the flood. They have limited ability to ship teas but when you pre-order a gift box, the recipient will receive a card letting them know their gift is on the way. The Let it Snow gift box features the blends "Pisgah Breakfast," "Snow Day" and "Asheville Grey." ($45.95)

Main Street businesses in Chimney Rock open for one day only for Christmas celebration after the devastating destruction of Hurricane Helene in Chimney Rock, United States on December 14, 2024 (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Ginger Frank started Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn with the idea of using real ingredients and creating fun, original flavors, like dill pickle and oatmeal cookie. In the beginning, she was slapping labels onto Ziploc bags. Ten years later, her business has expanded to sell popcorn across the country. The "Asheville Mix Artist Bag" ($7.25) supports not only Poppy Popcorn and its workers, but $2 from each bag goes to helping other Asheville entrepreneurs rebuild. It comes in an adorable bag featuring drawings by local artist Annie Riker.

For the art lover

Asheville’s River Arts District encompasses 26 historic industrial buildings that have been converted into studios, galleries and classrooms for more than 700 local artists. Flooding destroyed a majority of that space, with some artists losing entire bodies of work. While some parts of the district suffered less damage and have reopened for business, other spaces have to be completely rebuilt. In the meantime, many of the artists are offering their wares directly.

Moonlight Makers was born when Claire Watson moved next door to Nicole Hairfield. The two moms found themselves spending more than 50 hours a week together while their young children played, so they decided to make the most of that time. They are currently offering a line of Asheville-themed products like scented candles and T-shirts, and are donating 100% of profits to local hurricane relief efforts. All of their gifts are designed and screen-printed in Asheville by a staff of 10.

For more gift ideas, visit "Love Asheville from Afar," a website from the local tourism development authority, Explore Asheville.

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