On September 26, I sat down to write this monthly article, planning to make light of the “spooky season” and question if candy corn was in fact candy or just flavored wax. Now, several days later, I’m penning a very different message.Many have likened Hurricane Helene to be Asheville’s Katrina, and I can see the parallels. Lives have been lost, homes have been destroyed, and many parts of this region have been devastated. But it’s in these moments that I realize just how strong we are. Just how resilient we are. This is when we come together to do what needs to be done.
The word that keeps coming to mind for me is ACTIVATED. For those of you who work with disaster relief organizations, you’ve been on the front lines since even before day one. For those of you serving clients and working within neighborhoods, you’re activated as well, ensuring their safety and providing vital resources. Fundraising professionals across Western North Carolina are raising funds and awareness to help bring us out of this crisis. We are going to play an important role in recovery efforts of this region.
Please know that the Association of Fundraising Professionals – WNC Chapter is here for you. We are working alongside you within our own nonprofits to undergird all that is fragile right now.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions, concerns, or simply need to talk. We are stronger together, and together, we will rebuild.
Kate Frost
AFP WNC Board President
