Sherry Housley, a North Carolina resident, lost her home to Hurricane Helene in September 2024. She found hope through a group of high school students she calls “angels” who came together to assist in rebuilding her life.
An artist, Housley had been living in a camper on her property in Burnsville, N.C. after the hurricane hit. Thanks to the efforts of Mountain Heritage High School students in Jeremy Dott’s carpentry class, she will soon move into a new tiny home, built with support from the nonprofit Rebuilding Hollers.
Housley shared her initial shock and despair at the loss of her home, but her outlook shifted when she witnessed the dedication of the students. She expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support, calling the students her “angels.”
Dott praised the students’ enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing how essential their involvement was in making a positive impact on their community. The collaboration between the students and Rebuilding Hollers exemplifies the resilience and generosity that emerged in the aftermath of the hurricane.
Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm that made landfall in Florida before moving across the southwestern United States, caused widespread devastation, leaving millions without power. Despite the challenges, stories like Housley’s highlight the compassion and unity that can arise in times of crisis.
The original article on People states that it is “the most destructive tropical cyclone to hit the mainland United States since 2005.”
