OUR ORGANIZATION

We are the Helene Rebuild Cooperative.

Our mission is to to build resilient communities in post-Helene Appalachia.

Our co-founders Cooper Leist, Lance Buskey, and Sam Iatarola gathered post-storm and started working to get supplies out, and the organization has grown from there.

We allocate resources directly to communities that are underserved, isolated and cut off from being able to access them. Due to the terrain and destruction, there is a vast majority of folks that will not receive the critical aid being distributed by these larger community centers. 

We are coordinating a variety of specialized volunteer operations, ranging from mobile reconnaissance teams to large resource distribution. The diversity of our efforts throughout the region enables us to maximize our impact, by filling in the gaps of aid provided to our rural communities.

We are a rapidly evolving, grassroots organization equipped to serve our neighbors through partnership and collaboration. Our operations have surged from the initial efforts of friends inspired to provide basic needs to West Asheville residents to a highly coordinated force of volunteers, efficiently identifying and addressing short and long term needs.

Our work is made possible by the French Broad River Academy non-profit organization while we embark on the journey of creating our own. We are seeking sustainable assistance from individuals and organizations to continue providing enduring support to those in need while we navigate the heart-breaking destruction of Hurricane Helene.