donbosco
Honored Member
- Messages
- 906
A story out of Marshall in Madison County (borders Buncombe/I have friends there).
“A week ago yesterday, I had no idea what had happened to our little river town. The kids and I drove down to see the situation, and I’ve been having flashbacks of that moment ever since. It’s hard to believe it’s only been a week because it’s felt like an eternity. But in that time, our community has been incredible—clearing mud, removing 700 tons of debris, and organizing in ways that leave me in awe. I feel wrapped in love from here and beyond.
My first floor studio had 13’ of water in it and waist high deep mud in my art and tool supply rooms. Somehow we are almost completely gutted down there and will start cleaning up and working on the demo in mom’s condo. Her place needs some drywall removed, insulation pulled, structural assessment, some roof patching, a new lift that can take her up to her ADA condo(it’s destroyed) and other things I’m too tired to list. But, I feel a lot more hopeful about her home being restored today than I did a week ago. I’ve had the help of two skilled friends that helped us in the original renovation Jen Dombrowski and Stephen Smith. They are family to us and it’s been incredibly helpful to have them lead the way. We have also had countless friends and strangers volunteer with us. Steve Robison and Dana Oppelaar Stauffer have spent a lot of time helping in mom’s condo getting rid of water damaged things and moving/packing up her stuff to prepare for construction up there.
I want to remind everyone who wants to help that this is a long-term rebuild. We’ll likely need you more down the line than we do immediately. So many people want to help right now, but I’m honestly struggling to manage our immediate needs and trauma alongside others’ desire to contribute. My mom Danalee Cook Pipes has what she needs at the moment, but she’s overwhelmed and may not be able to respond to everyone. She’s more concerned about others’ losses, which is exactly how her heart works. Please, try not to burden her with deliveries or donations—use the existing channels in our county instead.
I’ve had incredible support, both physically and emotionally. Yesterday, I started smiling again. There are too many people to name, but I have to mention Casey Lewis. When he asked how he could help, I gave him a very specific task—secure the building. I gave him the garage door measurements and asked for double doors we could easily open during construction. He pre-cut everything, packed it in his van, and showed up knowing exactly how to help, even without me guiding him. He also brought functional donations we’ll use to rebuild, which we’ll share with the community.
In more great news, our farm family friends David and Jill Alison Jackson Cleveland are having a mobile industrial cleaning steam unit trailer built. We should have it in a week. It’s an amazing tool that will help us and our neighbors clean up, pressure wash with steam, and even do mold remediation. This is the kind of equipment that will make a huge difference for the health of these buildings, and the residents and businesses that occupy them !
I’ve shared before about the food truck that’s here now, and I can’t thank my friend Staci Cleveland and Tyrone Bennett from Heart and Soul Food Truck enough for knowing exactly what our worn-out hearts needed. Yesterday, Sarah Pike Alexander came up from Charlotte with supplies, and today Sharon Dowell is bringing in some critical items to help us keep pushing to save Mom’s condo. I’m beyond moved.
A huge thank you to everyone who has donated to the GoFundMe that Joe’s sister, Jamie Freiberg, set up for Mom and me. Right now, that’s the best way to help us. We’re well stocked with food, water, and essentials. The real need will be for rebuilding, and since we can’t store materials yet, cash donations and or Lowe’s gift cards are the best help until we’re ready. It doesn’t appear we will have much help from regular disaster relief channels.
Sending all my love to everyone.”
“A week ago yesterday, I had no idea what had happened to our little river town. The kids and I drove down to see the situation, and I’ve been having flashbacks of that moment ever since. It’s hard to believe it’s only been a week because it’s felt like an eternity. But in that time, our community has been incredible—clearing mud, removing 700 tons of debris, and organizing in ways that leave me in awe. I feel wrapped in love from here and beyond.
My first floor studio had 13’ of water in it and waist high deep mud in my art and tool supply rooms. Somehow we are almost completely gutted down there and will start cleaning up and working on the demo in mom’s condo. Her place needs some drywall removed, insulation pulled, structural assessment, some roof patching, a new lift that can take her up to her ADA condo(it’s destroyed) and other things I’m too tired to list. But, I feel a lot more hopeful about her home being restored today than I did a week ago. I’ve had the help of two skilled friends that helped us in the original renovation Jen Dombrowski and Stephen Smith. They are family to us and it’s been incredibly helpful to have them lead the way. We have also had countless friends and strangers volunteer with us. Steve Robison and Dana Oppelaar Stauffer have spent a lot of time helping in mom’s condo getting rid of water damaged things and moving/packing up her stuff to prepare for construction up there.
I want to remind everyone who wants to help that this is a long-term rebuild. We’ll likely need you more down the line than we do immediately. So many people want to help right now, but I’m honestly struggling to manage our immediate needs and trauma alongside others’ desire to contribute. My mom Danalee Cook Pipes has what she needs at the moment, but she’s overwhelmed and may not be able to respond to everyone. She’s more concerned about others’ losses, which is exactly how her heart works. Please, try not to burden her with deliveries or donations—use the existing channels in our county instead.
I’ve had incredible support, both physically and emotionally. Yesterday, I started smiling again. There are too many people to name, but I have to mention Casey Lewis. When he asked how he could help, I gave him a very specific task—secure the building. I gave him the garage door measurements and asked for double doors we could easily open during construction. He pre-cut everything, packed it in his van, and showed up knowing exactly how to help, even without me guiding him. He also brought functional donations we’ll use to rebuild, which we’ll share with the community.
In more great news, our farm family friends David and Jill Alison Jackson Cleveland are having a mobile industrial cleaning steam unit trailer built. We should have it in a week. It’s an amazing tool that will help us and our neighbors clean up, pressure wash with steam, and even do mold remediation. This is the kind of equipment that will make a huge difference for the health of these buildings, and the residents and businesses that occupy them !
I’ve shared before about the food truck that’s here now, and I can’t thank my friend Staci Cleveland and Tyrone Bennett from Heart and Soul Food Truck enough for knowing exactly what our worn-out hearts needed. Yesterday, Sarah Pike Alexander came up from Charlotte with supplies, and today Sharon Dowell is bringing in some critical items to help us keep pushing to save Mom’s condo. I’m beyond moved.
A huge thank you to everyone who has donated to the GoFundMe that Joe’s sister, Jamie Freiberg, set up for Mom and me. Right now, that’s the best way to help us. We’re well stocked with food, water, and essentials. The real need will be for rebuilding, and since we can’t store materials yet, cash donations and or Lowe’s gift cards are the best help until we’re ready. It doesn’t appear we will have much help from regular disaster relief channels.
Sending all my love to everyone.”
