Dear Partners and Friends,

As we reflect on Hurricane Helene’s impact, I am deeply moved by the spirit of care and resilience shown by the people of Western NC. In the face of overwhelming challenges, individuals and communities have come together with remarkable acts of care—whether through organizing volunteer days, forming mutual aid groups, or spending countless hours cleaning up and rebuilding their neighborhoods. These are not just responses to a crisis; they are acts of heroism and leadership, reminding us how powerful our capacity for care truly is.

We’re also witnessing care coming from our part of the state. For example, our friends at NC Counts mobilized their trusted network to collect and distribute food and donations to support Western NC’s recovery. This ripple of care across communities highlights the strength of our collective commitment to one another.

At John Rex Endowment, we are taking our cues from these incredible efforts. Guided by our core value of relationships and our mission to unify the ecosystem supporting the well-being of children, we are listening to our partners at Positive Childhood Alliance, Invest Early NC, NC Counts, and others to understand how we can continue this chain of care and provide meaningful support to families and children in Western NC.

We are committed to sustaining this care for the long journey ahead, not just today. I appreciate your dedication to the well-being of children and families and joining us in this effort to keep care at the heart of everything we do.

With gratitude,

Kellan