By Stephanie Chastain

Barnardville, NC - Wendy met the love of her life, Bo, at a Salvation Army camp when she was just a teenager. Thirty years later, they finally reconnected and began building their lives together. As newlyweds, they felt called to a life of service, and they soon enrolled in the Evangeline Booth College to become officers with The Salvation Army.

After more than a decade of faithful service, Bo was suddenly promoted to glory just over a year ago. Though the loss was devastating for Wendy, it did not shake her resolve to continue the ministry they had committed to together. So, when she was asked to serve on the disaster team in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, she didn’t hesitate to answer the call.

Wendy was assigned to Barnardsville, a small mountain community hit hard by landslides and flooding. She provided meals and emotional and spiritual care to a community grappling with the same sense of sudden loss she had once experienced. “You could see it on their faces—the look of ‘What just happened?’ ‘What am I going to do now?’” Wendy recognized that she was exactly where God intended her to be.

In a town known for its independence and stand-offish nature, Wendy made it her mission to learn every name, listen to every story, and connect with every person. Her dedication was rewarded as the community opened its arms and embraced her as one of their own. Locals would stop their cars to chat with Wendy, give her a hug, or share an update.

“These people have become my family. I’m coming back here one day,” Wendy says with a smile. “I’ll put on my uniform and go to church with them. I’m going to come back to see how they’re rebuilding.”

As the town of Barnardsville walks the long road toward recovery, Wendy has seen a renewed sense of hope. “I can see the resolve in their eyes now,” she says. Together, Wendy and her newfound family are moving forward—healing not only in Christ but also in the deep bond they have built through resilience and restoration. 

2 Corinthians 1:4 "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."

By Shelley Henderson

Black Mountain, NC (October 25, 2024)--In the early hours of Friday, September 27, a flash flood swept through Black Mountain, North Carolina, demolishing everything in its path, including Joe’s house. His car was discovered nearby, nose-down in several feet of mud, while all his belongings and cherished memories were lost away in the deluge.

A month later, Joe is counting his blessings. He has his job and hasn’t missed a day of work despite losing his home and car. His neighbors welcomed him into their home and sheltered him, and his friends and family have rallied around him to help rebuild his life.

But there was one thing Joe missed. Pizza.

Enter Little Caesar’s Love Kitchen—a mobile pizza oven on wheels dedicated to spreading kindness and offering a taste of hope. For years, the Little Caesar Love Kitchen has partnered with The Salvation Army to fill empty stomachs and uplift spirits within the community after disasters.

Within a week of Hurricane Helene, the Love Kitchen was on the road, serving slices of pizza in the hardest-hit areas. In Black Mountain, the Love Kitchen once again partnered with The Salvation Army, providing hot slices of pizza while The Salvation Army distributed food boxes and prayed with those whose lives had been turned upside down by the storm.

“It’s what we’re here to do,” said Beth Shadden, the Little Caesars Love Kitchen driver. “We see this as a small but meaningful part of the disaster response. We’re here to share kindness and hope through pizza and a smile.”

The pizzas were made fresh on the truck, with a local crew from Shelby, North Carolina, Little Caesars supplying the people power and the ingredients. Over the four days of service in Black Mountain, the Love Kitchen served more than 3,400 slices in the drive-thru line.

After the last car drove through for the final slice, the Love Kitchen had one more stop: to deliver a hot pizza and a smile to Joe.  

By Stephanie Chastain

Marshall, NC - Ministry doesn’t always happen behind a pulpit. For Randy, a resident of Marshall, NC, it took on a different form entirely. In 1972, he began his journey as a cadet in The Salvation Army, with plans to dedicate his life to ministry and service. But God had other plans. Randy left the academy and returned home, where his dream of serving his community remained strong.

Instead of the traditional path, Randy bought a dive bar, T-Birds, and transformed it into a family-friendly gathering spot for his neighbors. Over the years, Randy became a cornerstone of the community, a friend to people from all over the country who passed through the mountains of North Carolina.

When Hurricane Helene hit his small town, Randy knew exactly what to do. Donations poured into T-Birds from all across the country: generators, tents, camping stoves, diapers, pet food, chainsaws, and more. With everything his community needed to rebuild, Randy distributed these supplies to anyone who needed help.

In the aftermath of the storm, Salvation Army volunteers arrived in the area looking for a place to serve hot meals. Locals pointed them in one direction: “You oughta talk to Randy.” When the Salvation Army canteen pulled up to T-Birds, Randy welcomed them with open arms.

“I love the Army,” Randy shared. “I rang bells for them at Christmas. They sent me to camp. I’ll never forget that experience.” Even after all these years, Randy fondly recalls his time as a kid at the local corps, referring to the Officers and Soldiers as family.

Randy never has a shortage of friends—or "family," as he calls the people around him. In his community, he's affectionately known as the "caretaker of the mountains," always ready to serve, always welcoming with a kind heart.

Matthew 25:40 – "The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"

By Stephanie Chastain

Barnardsville, NC - Chris is as good of an old boy as they come—hardworking, deeply devoted to his family, and always looking out for his neighbors. Days before Hurricane Helene hit his rural mountain town in western North Carolina, Chris watched the small creek running along the road in front of his house start to swell. His area had already received close to 20 inches of rain before the storm made landfall, and by mid-morning on the day the hurricane hit, the creek had overflowed its banks. Within an hour, his entire house was surrounded by rushing water. With no way to escape, Chris and his family prayed together, preparing for whatever might come. But, by the grace of God, the storm surge began to subside.

Outside, the scene was one of destruction—his yard all but washed away, and in its place, a gash in the earth 30 feet wide and 8 feet deep. Yet something caught his eye. In front of his porch stood a small Japanese maple. Part of its massive root system had been exposed by the floodwaters, but those very roots had kept the ground in front of his house from eroding, and his home from washing away.

Weeks after the storm, Chris reflected on what he describes as a miracle, giving glory to God for keeping his family safe. But the recovery for Chris and his community has been no small challenge. More than just the tree’s roots, it’s been the community’s roots—neighbors and volunteers from all over—that have come together to help each other recover and rebuild.

Among those volunteers, The Salvation Army has played a key role. "The Salvation Army officers and volunteers have been blessed by the opportunity to serve Chris and his community during this difficult time," said one of the officers. The Salvation Army’s support—through hot meals, emotional and spiritual care, and a constant presence on the ground—has strengthened the network of community members working hand-in-hand to rebuild.

“The brotherhood and sisterhood we’ve found… no matter where they come from, we lift each other up,” Chris reflects while hugging the neck of a Salvation Army volunteer, expressing his heartfelt thanks for the overwhelming support that has helped heal not just his land, but the hearts of everyone affected.

Colossians 2:6-7 "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

By Stephanie Chastain

Bernardsville, NC - Ms. Jan’s house, nestled in the peaceful valley of Stoney Creek, was built by her grandfather over 90 years ago. Crafted from stones pulled from the very creek that still flows gently behind her home, the house was built by hand—stone by stone, a labor of love and endurance. Over the years, the sturdy stone structure has stood the test of time, weathering countless storms and seasons.

When Hurricane Helene unleashed its fury, the streams feeding into Stoney Creek swelled beyond their banks. Whitewater rapids, spanning 30 feet across, roared down the valley. As if the rising floodwaters weren't enough, a week of relentless rain triggered a massive landslide further up the mountain. The cascading floodwaters, combined with rocks, dirt, and debris from the landslide, formed a powerful force that barreled toward Ms. Jan's home.

In its path, houses were swept from their foundations, and cars, trees, and scrap metal were carried along in the rushing current. But when the detritus slammed into Ms. Jan’s stone house, the force stopped. Her house, with its solid stone walls, stood firm, halting the destruction that threatened the rest of her neighborhood.

Though the storm left its mark, with a few missing rocks on the house’s corner and some mud in the basement, the structure remained intact, standing strong as a protector. Ms. Jan’s home acted as a buffer, sparing the other homes downriver from certain devastation. Thanks to clean-up crews, the debris has been cleared, and the creek once again flows peacefully behind the house.

Her stone house, a lasting legacy of her grandfather’s craftsmanship, became the unexpected hero of the storm, protecting a neighborhood in its greatest hour of need.

Psalm 18:2 - "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

By Stephanie Chastain

Asheville, NC - Bobby, a staff member at The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in Charlotte, NC, completed his own journey through the ARC program just four months ago. After graduating, he chose to stay on as staff, driven by a simple motivation: “I was just gonna stay to keep the lights on for the next guy.” Little did he know, this decision would lead him to a life-changing experience in service.

When Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, The Salvation Army’s Disaster Services reached out to the ARC, seeking help in their response efforts. Bobby was asked to drive trucks for the disaster warehouse. “I didn’t want to go,” he recalls. But his reluctance faded on his first night serving dinner from the back of a canteen. That night, Bobby handed a hot meal to a small boy, and something shifted inside him. “All my life I’ve been a taker. I’ve sucked the life out of friends, family, everything! This was the first time I had a chance to give back.”

Bobby speaks candidly about his battle with alcoholism, describing it as “selfishness in a nutshell.” Yet through this experience, he discovered the power of serving others. For the first time, he found purpose, realizing that he wanted to dedicate his life to giving rather than taking. “My life is God’s. Not my life. Not my rules. I just want God to flow through me and work through me. I want to be a vessel.”

This opportunity solidified Bobby’s recovery. His newfound purpose, driven by faith and service, brought him joy and a reason to get out of bed every morning. Reflecting on his past, Bobby shares how he spent years trying to force things to go his way, but once he surrendered to God, doors began to open. Now, with a clear sense of purpose and the strength of his faith, Bobby knows he’s on the path he’s meant to walk.

Galatians 2:20 – "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

By Shelley Henderson

Asheville, NC (October 30, 2024) --Thirty-three days after Hurricane Helene, The Salvation Army is serving throughout the mountains of North Carolina, providing hot meals, cold drinks, and emotional and spiritual support in communities affected by the storm. Pensacola, North Carolina, a small town of 500 residents nestled in a valley within Pisgah National Forest, is one of the communities The Salvation Army has been serving.

On a typical day in Pensacola, Cattail Creek gently flows down the mountainside into town, while the Cane River meanders alongside Highway 197, the main road that leads into town. September 27 – the day that Hurricane Helene made her run through six states - was far from a typical day.

The ground was already saturated by heavy rain that began several days before Helene. Then torrential rainfall from the remnants of Helene passed through, causing catastrophic flooding and landslides. A wall of water from Cattail Creek roared down the mountain and slammed into the town. The Cane River swelled, overflowed its banks, and swelled again. The rushing water swept Highway 197 and its roadbed 30 yards off course, folded like a ribbon on the ground.

The entire infrastructure of Pensacola was left in ruins, and it would be months before power would be restored.

“It took one day for the town to be destroyed, and it will take years to rebuild. But, before the roads can be paved, the road structure must be rebuilt. Before the power poles can be set, the roads must be paved. Before power lines can be strung, the poles must be set. One step in rebuilding must be completed before the next can begin,” said Captain Tim Scott, Salvation Army officer serving in Pensacola.

The Salvation Army’s mobile feeding units began serving food, cold drinks, and coffee in the area, and emotional and spiritual care teams were present to listen and support people affected by the disaster.

It’s often the small things you miss after the unthinkable—the comfort of a cup of hot coffee, warm, nourishing food, and someone to listen as you unpack your losses. Pensacola is just one of many communities devastated in the mountains of North Carolina. In times like this, The Salvation Army comes alongside communities to provide support and connection to people as they heal.

By Shelley Henderson

Pensacola, NC (November 7, 2024)--The small mountain town of Pensacola, North Carolina, was devastated by flash flooding from Hurricane Helene. In just hours, homes were swallowed by the rising waters, and lives were upended. Within days of the storm, residents and volunteers united to rebuild and restore their community.

Camp Miller, near the Fire Station in Pensacola, is the heart of the rebuilding efforts. It serves as a rallying point for volunteers and a lifeline for residents, offering essential services such as hot meals, showers, and more. The Salvation Army had the privilege to provide meals and Emotional and Spiritual Care at Camp Miller, catering to people displaced by the disaster and the dedicated volunteers working tirelessly to restore the community.

Every Sunday, rows of pews are draped in quilts and carefully carried out of the church, which was damaged in the flood. A wooden pulpit is placed before the pews, with a large picture of Jesus resting at its base. Nearby, two planks nailed together form a cross. Beneath the cross, letters, photos, and personal mementos create a makeshift memorial for those lost in the storm.

This place, though weathered, is Holy Ground.

On Sunday, after a day of service at Camp Miller, Salvation Army workers were invited to stay for the evening worship service. That day, the team served over 350 meals and prayed with 40 people. As the sun sank behind the mountains, they sat in the pews watching the sunset while strains of How Great Thou Art filled the air. The peace and serenity of the evening stood in contrast to the busyness of the day. The hectic pace of the physical restoration of the community led to the quiet, healing restoration of the spirit.

The evening’s message based on 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you – was a fitting reminder of God's love. Afterward, survivors and volunteers were invited to share words of praise.

These are their words of faith, hope, and love:

 I am grateful. I lost my house, but I have my life.

I have breath in my body, air in my lungs, and I have God.

God is good. I see His goodness in the volunteers who have come to help and how our nation has united to serve Western North Carolina.

I don't know where I will live, but I am thankful to be alive and able to serve others.

We are thankful for the outpouring of help and support we’ve received.

God looks after the lilies and the birds. He loves us so much; He is looking after us, too.

The evening worship ended with Amazing Grace, the familiar words punctuating the message of God’s grace, love, and mercy. Spirits were restored that evening and ready for another day of the physical restoration of the Holy Ground on which the community stood.

Throughout Western North Carolina, many communities stand on Holy Ground, where people come together to restore what was broken and praise God for their blessings. The Salvation Army and other organizations stand, ready to provide support. The work ahead is long, but they are not alone. God and their nation stand behind them.

Read more about The Salvation Army’s service in Pensacola here.  

By Shelley Henderson

Buncombe County, NC (October 11, 2024)--If you travel through the mountains northeast of Asheville, you might catch a glimpse of 11-year-old Connor pedaling furiously up the mountainside. You could say he’s a man on a mission—a mission to check on his neighbors and deliver much-needed supplies and hot meals to people whose power has not been restored. Many of the roads leading up the mountain remain blocked by fallen trees or are completely washed out, making vehicle travel almost impossible. Connor's daily delivery service has become a lifeline for many.

Connor has a basket on the front of his bike, but to expand his carrying capacity, he keeps handy a cardboard box and some bungee cords to put on top. He visits The Salvation Army mobile feeding unit stationed in his community several times a day to pick up hot meals and cold drinks, which he delivers to his neighbors on the mountain and to workers helping rebuild the community.

“We have gotten to know Connor during the week we've been serving here,” said Barbara Still, a disaster relief worker from The Salvation Army of Greensboro. “In addition to being a great kid, he’s a son, a hunter, a fisherman, and an awesome big brother to his sister. We have added one more title to his name—Hero. He’s out here working tirelessly, riding his bike through these trails to help his neighbors.”

"Connor is always helping others," said his mom, Carley, with a smile. "He loves people and his community."

Before Helene devastated the town Connor has called home his entire life, he was an ordinary 11-year-old. But in the wake of the storm, an unlikely hero emerged. Connor says he will still be navigating the trails and delivering supplies as long as his neighbors need him. The Salvation Army will be there, too, working alongside Connor and his community.

By Shelley Henderson

Barnardsville, NC (October 8, 2024)--Ten days. That's 14,400 minutes. 240 hours. 864,000 seconds. Enough time to wonder what will happen to you and your boys. Enough time to deplete your food stores, even though you are being frugal. Enough time to worry whether you will ever be able to leave the mountaintop where you live. Enough time to wonder if everyone forgot you were even there.

When remnants of Hurricane Helene swept through Barnardsville, North Carolina, on Friday, September 27, the road to Karen's house was washed away. The two bridges over Stoney Fork Creek were gone, and the remaining stretches of road lay choked with fallen trees. No one could make it up the mountain, and certainly, no one could come down. Karen was trapped, alone with her two boys.

Karen's first sign of hope rumbled in ten days after the storm when large trucks rolled past her mountaintop home. She quickly loaded her boys into her car and drove down the mountain. A Salvation Army mobile feeding unit parked at the base of the mountain was the first thing she spotted.

“Oh! Dear Lord!” Karen got out of her car, visibly shaking. “You are the first people we’ve seen. I don’t know what to do!” Salvation Army canteen worker Ken Brown simply stood there and hugged her. “I told her she was not alone and that we would work through this together. We have plenty of resources – what do you need?”

Karen started to share her story. Trees had fallen on her home, and the roof was leaking. She needed insulin for one of her boys, a hot meal, and something to drink. And prayer. Lots of prayer. “We can do that,” he reassured her. “Let’s start with some food.”

Ken and his Emergency Disaster Services partner, Barbara Still, prepared plates of chicken, green beans, and peaches for Karen and her sons and set them up a place to eat. As they ate, she shared more of her story.

“This is the first hot meal we’ve had in a week,” she said. “We have a small gas stove, but I was trying to conserve our gas and food since we didn’t know when we could get off the mountain.”

Once they had eaten their fill, Ken led Karen to the Big Ivy Community Center, where the small community had gathered resources, and began connecting her with those who could help.

“We linked her with the Baptists on Mission to clear the trees from her house and put tarps on her roof - they arrived within a couple of hours with chainsaws and equipment. We also helped her secure a supply of insulin for one of her sons. The community rallied around her, reassuring her that she was not alone. Everyone there lifted her and her boys in prayer, giving glory to God for her safety,” Ken said. "In Barnardsville, it's all about community."

Karen’s story is just one of many in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Each day, winding roads leading to mountain cabins are being cleared, allowing help to reach people impacted by the storm. Acts of human kindness extend into the smallest hollows and the highest mountaintops, offering support and comfort to people in the most need. The Salvation Army is on the ground throughout the area, grateful to be ready to serve wherever and whenever needed, connecting people to God, the ultimate source of salvation.

“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” — Ezekiel 34:11-12