This photo likely means nothing to you. But to victims Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, the people here, in this tent… they represent HOPE. A second chance. A new home. A life line in the darkness. This room represents the people who said “Here am I, send me…” The churches. The non-profits. The volunteers. …and yes, X all of you who donated, who volunteered, who shared the stories, who used your voice You were here, with me, with all of us. One year later… it still barely feels real. I’ll tell you one story from this tent that stuck with me, I hope it speaks to you. A mother and her son with Down Syndrome came up to the podium to speak, their home was damaged in the storm… …but the son saw trees falling all around his room, it terrified him After the storm he refused to go into his room. He wouldn’t open the blinds to see the light. It was too scary. Too painful. They couldn’t get anyone from FEMA or insurance to help them. …but then, a group of volunteers showed up They cleared the trees in a matter of days. And for the first time ever, the son opened his blinds and saw the light in his room. It was a beautiful story. But a few minutes after she tells this story, a man gets up to the microphone. He’s from Kansas. He pulls out his phone. He gets in his knees in front of the son with Down Syndrome, and shows him a photo. He says “do you remember me?” “I’m the one with the chainsaw that removed the trees from your window…“ The son looks and him, shouts for joy, and gives him a huge hug. That hug… that moment, that was the ENTIRE story of Hurricane Helene in one moment. From terror to safety. From darkness to light. From despair to joy. Love can rebuild what storms destroy. Hope is alive!!!