Pat Nanney
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 12:09 pm

Habitat Board of Directors Vice President Doug Barrick with Habitat's Executive Director Kim Freeman. Pat Nanney Photo.

"Together We Rose" was the theme for a luncheon hosted by Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity for people involved in the events surrounding hurricane Helene and the year of recovery.

The luncheon was held at Isothermal Community College's Foundation Performing Arts & Conference Center.

Habitat Executive director Kim Freeman stated that as people were celebrating each other, there is still work to be done. She saluted first responders who began work even before the winds of the hurricane subsided.

Doug Barrick, Vice President of Habitat's Board of Directors, said people served people they did not know during Hurricane Helene and its aftermath. Efforts have been evaluated so that the area can be better prepared if a similar event occurs again. It was noted at the luncheon that 803 volunteers unloaded supplies from airplanes for two consecutive weeks. 4,363 volunteers worked for a 10-month span to stock, organize and distribute items at the warehouse. $6 million in supplies and building materials were distributed in partnership with 19 disaster relief organizations. Four toy drives helped over 5,000 children and 250 grocery bags and 800 backpacks with supplies were distributed. 66 home repairs have been completed and 12 are in progress. 12 tiny homes were built and delivered.