The Difference You’re Making for Neighbors in Need Spring 2025
You’re Rebuilding Homes— and Restoring Hope—in Swannanoa
Because of you, the sound of hammers and saws echoing through Swannanoa isn’t just construction noise—it’s the sound of hope returning to a community devastated by Tropical Storm Helene.
Your generosity has made it possible for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte to step into hard-hit communities like Alan Campos Mobile Home Park, where individuals and families lost so much.
Every repaired roof, every new floor, every HVAC system installed—all of it is made possible because you care. To date, your gifts have helped rebuild 53 mobile homes and repair dozens more
Every nail, every beam, every repair—all made possible by you.
homes, turning what was once destruction into a place of warmth, safety, and comfort for families who had nowhere else to turn.
But your impact goes beyond bricks and boards. You are restoring dignity, security, and hope—proving to individuals and families across western North Carolina that they are not alone, and that compassion and community can rebuild what storms tried to take away.
Thank you for your unwavering generosity and for being a cornerstone of disaster recovery and renewal in Swannanoa and beyond. Together, you are living out the Gospel call to love and serve our neighbors, bringing God’s mercy to life in the heart of these communities. THANK YOU!
This issue features stories of lives that have been impacted thanks to generosity!your
The love of Christ impels us (II Cor. 5:14) to serve our neighbors in need (Mt. 25: 31-46) –we cannot do otherwise (Deus Caritas Est, no. 25).
A Message from Jesse Boeckermann
Dear Friends of Catholic Charities,
I want to thank you for the incredible compassion you’ve shown amidst the devastation left by Tropical Storm Helene and the ever-changing economic climate in this area. Across western North Carolina—from Burnsville to Hendersonville, Hickory to Murphy—your generosity has brought comfort, hope, and healing to families and communities in need.
Restoring Hope in Asheville’s River Arts District
After Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, Catholic Charities reached out to hundreds of artists in Asheville’s beloved River Arts District. Decades in the making, this vibrant creative community has been the heartbeat of Asheville—a place where artists enrich the culture and economy. But the storm left the District in ruins, with an estimated 80 percent of buildings damaged. Artists lost not only their studios and supplies, but also their livelihoods, as visitor foot traffic came to a halt.
You’re Keeping Families Safe and Warm at Haven on the Hill
Nestled on a peaceful hillside in Haywood County, Haven on the Hill in Waynesville has become a refuge for more than 40 families left homeless after Tropical Storm Helene. Thanks to the generosity of local landowner James Lunsford—who donated the land—and volunteers and compassionate donors like you, this community of 55 donated RVs—some coming from as far away as Oregon and Maine—now offers shelter, safety, and hope to families who lost everything.
Whether helping rebuild homes, supporting artists who enrich our culture, or keeping families safe and warm at Haven on the Hill, you are truly the hands and feet of Christ in action. Every gift you’ve shared is a reflection of His love, reminding those who are suffering that they are not forgotten, and that brighter days are ahead.
On behalf of our staff, volunteers, and the families we are privileged to serve—thank you. May God bless you for your kindness, and may your compassion continue to shine as a light of hope in our community.
With gratitude and prayers, Jesse Jesse Boeckermann Western Region Director
Thanks to your generous support, Catholic Charities partnered with the River Arts District Artists (RADA) Foundation to offer emergency assistance, including gift cards to help artists replenish supplies and meet immediate personal needs.
Artist Jacqui Fehl and her husband Hector were among those you helped. In gratitude, Jacqui sent a hand-painted thank you card, writing:
“Thank you so much for your generous donation to assist us after Hurricane Helene. We are using our gift cards to replenish some much-needed art supplies. In deepest gratitude, Jacqui Fehl and Hector Rich.”
Because of you, Asheville stands with its artists—and together, we are restoring hope, creativity, and livelihoods, reflecting the creative spirit of our Creator, who calls us to care for one another in times of trial.
See how you have helped your neighbors in our Annual Report
But keeping this community warm takes more than just walls and roofs. It requires propane— $2,700 worth each month—to heat these temporary homes and protect children, elderly residents, and families from the freezing mountain nights.
Because of your generosity, Catholic Charities has committed to covering at least four months of propane costs, ensuring these families stay warm and safe through April while permanent housing solutions are being developed. Your compassion is providing more than heat—it’s offering dignity, comfort, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing they are not alone.
Because of you, Haven on the Hill isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a community filled with care, compassion, and the love of Christ made visible through your generosity.
Thank you for being part of their story, and for ensuring no family is left out in the cold. Together with Catholic Charities, your kindness is truly the hands and feet of Christ at work in our communities.
SupportSpiritofHope bydonatingsecurely. ScantheQRcode.
ESTABLISH A LEGACY THAT REFLECTS THE MANY BLESSINGS GOD HAD GIVEN YOU
For more information on how you can support Catholic Charities with a legacy gift, please contact: Gina Rhodes, Director of Planned Giving 704-370-3364 | gmrhodes@rcdoc.org
The love of Christ impels us (II Cor. 5:14) to serve our neighbors in need (Mt. 25:31-46) –we cannot do otherwise (Deus Caritas Est, no. 25).
Restoring Hope in Asheville’s River Arts District You’re Rebuilding Homes—and Restoring Hope— in Swannanoa ccdoc.org
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: You’re Keeping Families Safe and Warm at Haven on the Hill
