OPERATION REBUILD

  • SITUATION

    In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, thousands of homes were completely destroyed, leaving families displaced and living in temporary accommodations such as campers, churches, hotels, or with relatives. With minimal assistance from FEMA, many families lack the resources and a clear path forward to rebuild their homes.

    In response to this crisis, We Must Protect (WMP) has shifted its focus to address the critical need for rebuilding, offering affected families a sustainable solution that restores their homes and brings a sense of normalcy back to their lives.

  • MISSION

    We Must Protect is committed to rebuilding homes and communities for families displaced by Hurricane Helene. By assembling a team of local licensed builders, partnering with regional building supply companies to secure donated materials, and leveraging the power of community volunteers, WMP will provide the resources necessary to rebuild and repair homes. This approach not only maximizes the impact of every donation, but also empowers families to come together and restore the communities they love. Our goal is to build as many homes as possible, ensuring that families can return to stable, permanent housing.

  • EXECUTION

    WMP Operation Rebuild will begin by constructing six new homes in the communities of Relief and Green Mountain, located in Yancey and Mitchell Counties. The first six families have been identified, and the initial builds will consist of two 768 sq. ft. homes, three 1200 sq. ft. homes and one 2000 sq ft home. Site work will begin in January 2025 with a projected completion date of June 14, 2025.

    This is just the beginning. Thousands of homes were destroyed by the storm leaving families displaced with no way forward. WMP is committed to build homes in Western North Carolina for as long as financial support allows.

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OUR FAMILIES

  • A row of colorful beekeeping hives under a large, leafless tree with a carved pumpkin on the ground nearby.

    Bruce & Kathy

    Bruce and Kathy tragically lost their daughter, Alison, her fiancé, Knox, and their two grandsons, Felix and Lucas, when they were swept away by floodwaters while attempting to evacuate their home. The Toe River rose 22 feet with water levels reaching just a few inches below the ceiling of their single-story home. We are helping Bruce and Kathy rebuild in their honor.

    Bruce is a skilled builder who has been a key member of our WMP Build Team, working on every rebuild project.

  • A partially damaged white house with missing parts of the walls, surrounded by debris. The building has two stories and an outside chimney. The area has dry grass and there are trees in the background, indicating a rural setting.

    Jason & Heather

    During Hurricane Helene, Jason and Heather were at home when floodwaters from the Toe River began pouring into their house. They quickly moved their belongings to the second floor, but as the water continued to rise, they grabbed a cooler with food and water and made their way to higher ground. From there, they watched helplessly as the floods destroyed their home. Stranded for two days, they waited for the roads to clear before finally being able to evacuate. Now living in a camper, they look forward to returning home, eager for their grandson to come back and stay with them.

  • Elevated house on stilts with a wraparound porch and a barren tree in front, surrounded by a grassy and rocky landscape.

    Beverly

    Ms. Beverly was at home with her five rescues when Hurricane Helene struck and flooded her house. The floodwaters severely damaged her foundation, rendering the home unstable and uninhabitable, as determined by the county. With no other place to turn, WMP relocated her to a donated camper, where she will stay while we work to build her and her pups a new home.

  • Old house with peeling paint, overgrown yard, and a red chair in the foreground, set in a wooded area during late autumn.

    Marty & Alicia

    Marty and Alicia were in their home, which had once belonged to their grandmother, when the floodwaters from Hurricane Helene rushed through. The Toe River rose so rapidly that they had to climb the mountain behind their house, where they stayed until family members arrived to help them evacuate. Since the storm, they have faced numerous hardships, including the loss of a close family member and ongoing serious health issues. We are so grateful for the opportunity to ease their burden by building them a new home.

  • Snow-covered ground in front of a two-story rustic house with wood and cinder block construction, a balcony, and American flags. Winter trees surround the area under a blue sky with clouds.

    Michael

    Michael’s grandfather built this home that Michael was born and raised in. For many years, the downstairs was a General Store that Michael’s dad eventually took over. After it was destroyed in the floods from Hurricane Helene, Michael has been living in a camper at a relative’s house. We can’t wait to build Michael a new house so that he can move back into the only place he has ever called home.

  • Flooded area with a white house partially surrounded by debris and muddy water, set against a backdrop of trees.

    Kenya, Jeremy, Paxton & Peyton

    Kenya and Jeremy and their two young boys were displaced when the floods from Hurricane Helene destroyed their home. Unable to rebuild on the land where their home once stood, they were forced to purchase a new property to rebuild. We are excited to build a forever-home for their young boys to grow up in.

    This family’s rebuild has been generously sponsored by The Montana Knife Company.

Group of construction workers posing on a wooden structure covered in Tyvek HomeWrap.

We Need Your Help.

Families in this community have lost everything — but with your help, we can give them a place to call home again. We Must Protect is building forever homes for those displaced, and we need your support. You can make a difference by giving financially, donating building materials or furniture, or volunteering your time and skills on-site.

Every dollar, hour, and in-kind gift brings hope and healing. Join us in rebuilding lives and providing our families with a way forward.

  • Financial Support

    Make a small recurring donation or sponsor an entire build for a displaced family. Every dollar you contribute will provide the building materials and skilled labor needed to build homes for our families in need.

    Large donation? Make check payable to:

    We Must Protect, PO Box 75456, Kapolei, HI 86707

    Donate

  • In-Kind Donations

    We are seeking to partner with companies offering to donate building materials, appliance packages, and furniture for our families who lost everything.

    We Must Protect will provide tax-receipts for all in-kind donations and feature the company logo on our website and social media.

    Contact Us

  • Volunteer

    Come build with us! We are looking for skilled builders, tradesmen and landscapers to help build our homes. Skilled individuals or crews that can do site work, framing, sheet rocking, roofing, siding etc. and local NC licensed general contractors, plumbers and electricians. Every hour you donate stretches our funds further, allowing us to build more homes for families in need.

    Volunteer