How Can We Help?
Arlene Foster is a school teacher in Avery County, N.C.. and is married to Kevin Foster, a
long-time tree farmer, and supplier of trees to Santa’s Trees.
Arlene has been active in her community for many years, and was very lucky to escape the
devastation that so many of her neighbors faced as a result of Hurricane Helene. While Arlene
was not prepared to be a community resource for hurricane relief, she has quickly pivoted to
become just that.
“I live in Newland, NC, which is near Minneapolis, NC, affectionately known as Dogtown.
Dogtown is located right on the Toe River, and when the hurricane hit, the Toe River washed
away many homes and businesses, and also the roads, making it accessible only by ATV.
“Dogtown is famous in North Carolina because of our boys’ wrestling team, the Dogtown
Wrestling Club, which has built a dynasty. In fact, we created a foundation - Dogtown Avery
County Youth Activities, www.dogtownacya.com - to support our athletes. Well, when the
hurricane hit, we quickly shifted the focus of our foundation from wrestling to hurricane relief and
we are helping people everyday.”
Avery County was one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Helene.
“I’m a teacher, and when class reconvened after the hurricane, at least 5 of our students had
totally lost their homes,” she said. “Anyone near water was devastated by the hurricane. My
son’s girlfriend lost her beautiful home on a tributary of the Elk River. Her family watched the
water rise from her grandparents’ house after they evacuated Friday morning. The house didn’t
wash away completely, but it’s so damaged they’re going to have to tear it down. And of course,
no one in this area has flood Insurance.”
Dogtown Avery County Youth Activities www.dogtownacya.com.
To help their neighbors, the Dogtown Avery County Youth Activities is focusing its efforts on
providing those essential household items that are not provided by larger charities.
“People are getting generators and food and water, but they’re not getting the small things that
make their house feel more like a home,” Arlene said. “Things like appliances, cooking utensils,
bedding, rugs. Those are the things our non-profit is providing. That way we can help families
rebuild their sense of normalcy and comfort. Plus we’re paying for heating and electricity bills.
With winter coming on, that’s going to be really important.”
Arlene Foster and her son & husband.
How we can help
If you are interested in helping the folks of Avery County, please visit their website,
www.dogtownacya.com. There you will find a “Make a Donation” button, which will take you to
the “Hurricane Helene Relief Fund.” That is where you can make a donation.
Thank you
Santa’s Trees thanks each of you - our customers - for your business, and for the relationship
we’ve been able to build with you through the years. We hope you have a blessed Christmas,
and thank you for considering all of our friends in need this holiday season.