A Heartfelt Response to Hurricane Helene: Graham Sharp’s Efforts in Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina, has been enduring the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and it’s clear that the community is banding together in remarkable ways. One notable figure stepping up to support his neighbors is Graham Sharp, a talented banjo player and vocalist, best known for his work with the Steep Canyon Rangers. Not only is Sharp involved with music, but he is also deeply committed to helping the people of Asheville as they navigate through this challenging time.
Volunteering for a Cause
Just last week, on what was meant to be a joyous occasion—his 20th wedding anniversary—Sharp and his wife rolled up their sleeves to volunteer with MANNA FoodBank. Sharp, a proud Greensboro native, found it fitting to spend this special day giving back to the community that has been so dramatically affected by the hurricane.
“It felt strange to be out of Asheville when so much help was needed,” he shared. “But the surrounding communities have been vital to the recovery so far.” Sharp had been busy collecting supplies that were airlifted to the region, partnering with Westminster Presbyterian Church. The initial challenge, however, was figuring out how to get all these collected items to those in need since many roads were destroyed.
That’s when Sharp’s son, a pilot, introduced them to Operation Airlift, which was running missions from the Greensboro airport. This initiative has played a pivotal role in delivering much-needed supplies to the impacted areas, and the collection efforts at Westminster are ongoing.
Resilience in the Wake of Helene
The images painted by Hurricane Helene’s devastation have been hard to shake from Sharp’s mind. His home lost power, but he has been grateful that his family’s ordeal was minimal compared to others in the region. In an extraordinary show of familial love, his brother had to rescue their parents from their cabin in Boone, navigating through tough terrain to do so.
“When we first were able to get around town, we went and looked out over the river,” Sharp recalled. “All you could see were rooftops surrounded by water, and we couldn’t even tell where the river normally flowed.” Despite losing electricity, his neighborhood has now regained power; however, the road to restoring water supply may take quite some time, with some families finding creative solutions by carting jugs around or even using specialized setups to obtain gray water from nearby creeks.
Community Spirit Shines Bright
Sharp emphasized the quick response from neighbors after the storm. “Without any information or way to connect with the ‘outside’ world, we had to look after each other for a couple of days,” he said. Roads leading in and out of the neighborhood were blocked, and vital bridges washed away. Despite the chaos, the spirit of community shone brightly among residents.
Once the roads cleared, Sharp expressed relief to find that Interstate 26 toward Greenville was open, allowing gradual access to essentials. Now that he and his family have returned to Asheville, their focus has turned to supporting the recovery efforts.
“When we got back to Asheville, there’s really not much else to do except pitch in however you can,” he said. “The decision to spend our anniversary helping hand out supplies just felt like the natural thing to be doing right now.”
It’s heartwarming to see individuals like Graham Sharp turning their talents and time into genuine efforts for their community. His journey from a Grammy-nominated musician to a humble volunteer speaks volumes about the resilience and strength of Asheville’s neighborhoods as they rebuild together.
