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CV NEWS FEED // President-elect Donald J. Trump extended his heartfelt support to the storm-ravaged residents of Chimney Rock, North Carolina, during a Christmas celebration held in Lake Lure Dec. 14.
The event, attended by more than 500 people, featured a tree lighting, prayers, and caroling as the community came together to embrace the holiday spirit amid ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, Newsmax reported.
Pastor Paula White, Trump’s senior adviser for faith-based initiatives during his first term, delivered the president’s message of love and solidarity. White had shown the president-elect pictures of the devastated area.
“He said, ‘Please send my love to the people of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, to the people of the great state of North Carolina, and let them know that we’re here for them,’” White relayed.
“He sends his love along with First Lady Melania,” she added.
Many residents are still coping with the aftermath of the storm, which caused extensive flooding and left hundreds homeless. Local businesses, which rely heavily on tourism for income, are facing particularly difficult challenges.
Chimney Rock Mayor Peter O’Leary, whose general store on Main Street was severely damaged by the flood, expressed the importance of the relief efforts for the community.
“All of these events last night and today, even just seeing a volunteer shoveling the streets or hammering wood into buildings, it’s all given us strength,” he said. “That’s what gives us the courage, ability, and just the spirit to move forward and rebuild.”
Despite the challenges, townspeople remain resilient, adopting the motto “Don’t stop believing,” WSPA, a CBS affiliate, reported.
Numerous businesses set up tables outside the Lake Lure Inn to seek support, as all local businesses remain closed following the disaster. Attendees were also given the chance to ride buses to see the devastation up close.
Shari Cummings co-owns The Hickory Nut, a gift shop on Main Street in Chimney Rock Village that was destroyed in the flooding along with her home.
“Everything I’m wearing was donated. We lost 100% [of our belongings],” she told WSPA.
CatholicVote previously covered Cummings’s story, detailing how she witnessed the catastrophic flooding destroy her home and business while they await significant assistance from the federal government.
>> North Carolina shop owners await aid nearly 3 months after Helene destroys home, business <<
As the storm surge swelled to an estimated 35 feet, Cummings narrowly escaped the collapse of their building with her husband and their business partner.
Despite losing almost everything, she says she considers herself lucky and is grateful for the support she has received from neighbors and patrons. Cummings told CatholicVote after the Christmas celebration that the event was amazing and helped keep hope alive in the town.
“The sadness of us all telling our experiences was totally replaced by the joy and compassion of so many people coming together to celebrate a new beginning for Chimney Rock and Lake Lure,” she said. “We want to thank everyone for their kindness and support all through this ordeal.”
>> ‘Operation Shelter’ provides safety, warmth through RVs to vulnerable in Western North Carolina <<
