Hurricane Helene devastated communities across the East Coast, this includes incredible damage in Asheville, North Carolina. On September 26th, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 Hurricane that had winds of 140 mph. The damage of the storm in North Carolina alone cost over 53 billion dollars. The city of Asheville was devastated as many businesses, restaurants, and public places were destroyed.
At Cathedral, the school is setting up a toy drive for two Catholic grade schools in the Asheville area to help with the holiday season. President of Cathedral Dr. Robert Bridges said, “I believe this drive will be greatly helpful to the families in the Asheville and Hendersonville area. These families lost their houses and cars and a lot of them have lost their jobs and so they, according to the principal, are not even thinking about Christmas. So I do believe it’s kind of like the old Christmas movie called Somebody who saved Christmas. I do think we’re going to help provide a lot of joy, the joy that comes from giving.”
Cathedral has set up a toy bin outside of Dr. Bridges office for students to bring in toys. These toys are going to two Catholic grade schools in Asheville and Hendersonville called Asheville Catholic and Immaculata School.
Students are asked to bring in specific items. Dr. Bridges said, “The students should bring toys for preschool through eighth grade students. I know that the toys for little kids are easier to buy but the 1,011 12 to 13-year-olds are a little tougher, so maybe board games or books or balls or sports equipment. I am so grateful with the big pile of toys we have already and I can’t wait to play Santa Claus next week!”
While Asheville and its surrounding areas still deal with the ramifications of the devastating Hurricane, Cathedral is doing its part to help with the families in the community and their Christmas.
Cathedral and Dr. Bridges are hoping that this toy drive will bring joy during the holiday season and relieve some stress from the parents during this incredibly difficult time. Dr. Bridges said, “The purpose of the drive is as I said to provide Christmas for the families in the areas that were so dramatically affected. Both of the schools, Asheville Catholic and Immaculata School, have Christmas stores in a room at the school that they stock up and families can come there and shop for their family so we’re going to stock up those Christmas shops.”
There is also an Amazon Wishlist set up for people to visit and purchase toys, if they cannot make it to Cathedral. Amazon Wishlist to purchase toys
