As part of our continued long-term recovery work, Grounded Boots Relief ends up cutting an enormous amount of timber. Fallen trees and storm damaged logs are a constant reality across Western North Carolina, and much of that material is still perfectly usable. With time, care, and proper seasoning, it becomes high quality firewood that can make a real difference for households facing a long recovery.

 

We make a point not to waste what can still serve a purpose. When conditions allow, logs are cut, split, stacked, and seasoned instead of being discarded. Once the wood is ready, it is delivered directly to people who need it most. This approach reduces waste, supports neighbors who rely on wood for heat, and turns storm debris into something useful again.

Jennifer and Tony were recent recipients of firewood through this process. Their home is one of many still dealing with the lingering effects of storm damage, and the additional support helps ease the burden as they continue moving forward. As needs arise, we are prepared to return and keep them stocked through the colder months.

 

Jennifer’s property has also been added to our long-term recovery site list. Debris collected at the base of her creekside home. This is exactly what long-term recovery looks like. It is not a single day of work, but a steady commitment to showing up again and again until conditions are safer and more stable.

 

Turning fallen trees into firewood may seem simple, but it reflects the heart of our mission. We take what disaster leaves behind and use it to help neighbors regain a sense of security, warmth, and normalcy.

Note: Names are shared with permission  

We have published our upcoming January workdays for long-term recovery in Western North Carolina. As always, these plans remain weather dependent and may shift if we are called to deploy under our Crisis Response program. Our current schedule includes workdays on January 3, January 17, and January 31, with crews typically arriving on site around 10:00 a.m.

 

If you signed up for our long-term recovery program but have not been receiving event notifications, please take a moment to check your spam folder. Our acting Volunteer Coordinator will also be reaching out directly to confirm availability and make sure no one slips through the cracks. Those messages will include specific dates and locations for each workday.

 

If you have not yet signed up for our long-term recovery program and would like to be involved, we encourage you to do so using the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaHbBkElRHhSQaUhYSSnypftD0FUTnM_YfPZuLsR1PJzqE1Q/viewform?usp=header

 

Finally, we are grateful to share some good news. Grounded Boots Relief has been awarded a $7,500 grant from the WNC Bridge Foundation in support of our long-term recovery efforts. This funding allows us to rent equipment that would otherwise be out of reach, such as wood chippers, keep chainsaws fueled and maintained, and provide meals for volunteers while working locally. Support like this reflects trust in our mission, and we take that responsibility seriously. We are thankful for this investment and committed to putting it directly to work for our community.

  Debris Removal Is One of the Biggest Disaster Costs
 Removing and disposing of disaster debris accounts for about 27 percent of total disaster recovery costs, making it one of the most expensive parts of recovery after major storms.  
Source: wastetodaymagazine.com

  

As we hit the shortest day of the year, Grounded Boots Relief is also bumping up against the end of another chapter. We have one newsletter left before the calendar flips, which feels a little like the final episode of a season where everyone looks back thoughtfully and hints at bigger things ahead. We will be doing exactly that, reflecting on what worked, what we learned, and how we are gearing up for 2026. The momentum right now is real, and it is the good kind that makes you forget you are tired until you sit down.

 

Every contribution still gives me a jolt of excitement, not because of the number attached to it, but because of what it turns into. Fuel in the truck. Tools that work when we need them to. The ability to show up when someone calls and actually help. We also have another contribution in the pipeline that we will announce once it officially lands, and the ongoing trust people place in this mission continues to be both humbling and motivating.

 

A lot of my recent time has been spent making connections. That means reminding people, organizations, and businesses that Grounded Boots Relief is not just a name or a logo, but an active group of humans doing work on the ground to help our region recover after Helene. Sometimes those conversations lead somewhere specific. Sometimes the win is simply that people now know we exist. That part matters more than it sounds.

 

This past week also included delivering firewood to homes that needed it to stay warm. Some families are still dealing with very hard circumstances, and being able to help in a tangible, no frills way continues to be grounding. If hauling firewood sounds like your idea of a good time, or at least a meaningful one, we could absolutely use a delivery driver or a sidekick who does not mind lifting things and pretending it is fun.

 

As we settle into the heart of the holidays, I wish you warmth, rest, and a little quiet if you can find it. Thank you for believing in this work and helping make it possible. We are closing this year grateful, a little sore, and very ready for what comes next.