West Asheville, NC – Jan. 18- 25, 2026

Greetings from a cold and wintry West Ashville!

Sunday night we welcomed 12 volunteers from the Landis Valley Christian Fellowship and a newly married couple from Ohio. Seven young men arrived from Ontario, Canada for the Bridge Program .

This week volunteers worked at hanging drywall at the Culler House. Volunteers continued with siding installation and drywall work at the Gay House. At the new build/Gyska House, crews began placing floor trusses and plywood decking. All exterior and interior walls were built and placed. By Thursday roof trusses were being set.

Monday evening Tim Davidson, Property manager and Aytunde Dixon, Community Organizer, shared the story of RSAA, the acquistion of the building along with their service to the community. On Tuesday we celebrated three birthdays with ice cream and cake. Happy Birthday to Brian, Chad and Keith!  Wednesday evening, Emma Churchman, author and Quaker Trauma Counselor, was our dinner guest.  She shared her story of the first several days of Helene.  She is the author of “The Deep End of Hope in the Wake of Hurricane Helene, and was a featured speaker at the MDS 75th Anniversary celebration.

Throughout the week, many people were watching the approaching winter storm scheduled for arrival at the weekend.   We saw the  predicted storm fluctuate followed by a Declaration of Emergency by the Governor.   A decision was made to send weekly volunteers home Friday morning.  Weekly volunteers were cancelled for the following week.   Long term volunteers were also sent home out of safety concerns.  Wishes for safety and warmth for our West Asheville clients and friends.