Jackie Garrison

When Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, Jackie Garrison and her husband didn’t just keep Phil’s Bar-B-Que running—they transformed it into a lifeline for their community. What started as a storage building overflowing with unsorted donations became Phil’s Boutique, a place of respite and dignity where every item was carefully chosen, folded, and arranged with love.

Volunteers laughed, cried, and prayed with those who walked through the doors, witnessing firsthand the small miracles that Jackie believed in—finding just the right item, at just the right time, for those in desperate need.

Her unwavering generosity, faith, and dedication to helping others are why we are honored to recognize her as one of our Hurricane Heroes. Jackie’s story is proof that a small business can become a beacon of hope, and that true strength is found in compassion.

joel friedman

When Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in Western North Carolina, Joel Friedman didn’t let it stop him from continuing to serve his community. As the owner of Zuma Café in Marshall, Joel has always been the heart of his town—a place where people come together for coffee, food, and camaraderie. When the storm damaged his café, Joel quickly adapted, setting up a food truck with outdoor seating to offer hot drinks, meals, and the warmth of Zuma’s hospitality. His determination to re-open the original Zuma Café in the spring will once again provide a much-needed gathering space for his neighbors.

Joel's resilience and dedication to his community make him a true Hurricane Hero. We are proud to honor him as part of our Appalachian Phoenix production, which celebrates the strength and spirit of Western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Alyssa Vigneault

When Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina, Alyssa Vigneault immediately sprang into action, turning her backyard into a central hub of support for those displaced by the storm. As the founder of Rising Light Relief, Alyssa created a community-driven initiative whose primary focus is on elderly and disabled community members—ensuring that the most vulnerable among us receive essential nutrition, supplies, and welfare checks during times of crisis and recovery.

Alyssa’s selfless dedication to the well-being of others in their time of need has made an incredible impact, and her work continues to support those affected by the storm’s devastation. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to honor Alyssa as one of our Hurricane Heroes!

drew reisinger

When Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina, Drew Reisinger didn’t hesitate to step up in the face of tragedy. From day one, Drew was on the ground organizing and leading efforts to locate missing loved ones. As the Register of Deeds for Buncombe County, Drew was in a unique position to take charge, helping to establish the Buncombe County Family Assistance Center, where he led wellness checks and connected people with the critical resources they needed. His leadership in a time of crisis was a lifeline for many in our community.

Drew’s actions during the aftermath of the storm exemplify true heroism—he acted without hesitation and selflessly dedicated himself to helping others. For these reasons, we are proud to honor Drew as one of our Hurricane Heroes.

The Whitson Family

When Hurricane Helene tore through Green Mountain, the Whitson family faced unimaginable loss. For generations, they have run the local general store, furniture store, and post office, making them an integral part of their community.

As floodwaters rose, Nick Whitson carried his 96-year-old mother up the stairs, leaving her wheelchair behind, as the family watched their businesses and homes disappear under water. Yet, instead of focusing only on their own recovery, they chose to help others.

Since the storm, Nick, Jane, and their siblings have worked tirelessly, seven days a week, to restore their family’s legacy while also running a distribution center for those in need. Even after losing so much, they have continued to serve others, ensuring that their neighbors have access to supplies and support during this difficult time.

Their resilience, generosity, and unwavering dedication to their community are why we are proud to honor the Whitson family as Hurricane Heroes.

Click here to watch Jane’s interview on 60 minutes

Karis Roberts

When Hurricane Helene ravaged Asheville, Karis Roberts stepped into action with extraordinary leadership. As the Director of the Asheville Brewers Alliance, Karis mobilized an effort with NoDa Brewing in Charlotte to can 40,000 cans of drinking water and truck it up the mountain to create an emergency drop-off site for supplies. This was before the city had even begun to organize. She quickly set up a distribution center at Devil’s Foot Brewing, offering water, food, and supplies to anyone in need.

But Karis didn’t stop there. As the director of the Asheville Brewers Alliance, she helped shift the organization’s focus from growth and collaboration to recovery and resilience. Under her leadership, ABA assisted breweries with grants and rebuilding efforts, managed water tanker delivery trucks, and facilitated solidarity among local businesses to ensure the local craft beer scene could bounce back stronger than ever. Karis played a key role in supporting the community through charity events, fundraisers, and adapting to the new challenges brought by the storm. We are thrilled to add Karis to our list of Hurricane Heroes!

JOSH COPUS

When Hurricane Helene sent floodwaters surging through downtown Marshall, Josh Copus—potter, entrepreneur, and the heart behind The Old Marshall Jail Hotel—witnessed firsthand the devastation that reshaped his town.

From the moment he was able to return to the wreckage, Josh not only jumped into the physical cleanup, but he also became the voice of Marshall. His videos documenting the destruction spread across the country, going viral as news outlets turned to him to understand the scope of the disaster. Through constant engagement with local and national press, he ensured that the world knew Marshall’s story. He didn’t just bear witness—he took action.

Josh dedicated himself to the recovery efforts, organizing community meetings, bringing people together to mourn, strategize, and rebuild. He helped welcome Governor Josh Stein to the town, making sure the voices of those impacted were heard. Through it all, he showed an unwavering commitment to his community, proving that even in the worst of times, leadership, resilience, and heart can shine through. So much gratitude goes out to Josh, a true Hurricane Hero.

Click here to learn more about Josh and the story of Marshall

jennifer pickering

Jennifer Pickering, the dynamo behind Leaf Global Arts, has been nominated as a Hurricane Hero for her incredible work supporting the arts community during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Her creation of the Leaf Local Artists Relief Fund provided financial aid to local artists impacted by the storm, allowing them to recover and continue their creative practices.

Beyond financial relief, her efforts have been a lifeline for many in the artistic community, helping to facilitate healing through creative expression. Leaf Global Arts has been instrumental in rebuilding the spirit of our region, offering a space for recovery and connection in the wake of Helene’s devastation.

We are so grateful for her unwavering commitment to supporting artists and her tireless work to heal and uplift our community. Jennifer’s impact is truly inspiring, and we’re proud to celebrate her as part of Appalachian Phoenix.