When Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, one family’s business shifted its focus to an inspirational mission of survival and support.
WEST JEFFERSON, N.C. — Instead of opening its doors for kids to come and play, an Ashe County entertainment center is now opening its doors for Hurricane Helene survivors to get critical supplies.
Helene, which devastated western North Carolina, forced the West Jefferson business to shift its focus to helping people impacted get back on their feet, free of charge.
“These folks don’t stop, I have to force them to get a bottle of water,” Jen Byland, co-owner of Jimmy & Jean’s Family Entertainment Center, said.
It’s been a nonstop effort for Byland’s team with volunteers delivering hats, scarves, gloves and all other essentials for their neighbors ahead of the frigid winter weather. She said some volunteers stay well past midnight to keep things moving for the community.
“It’s like, ‘We can break down one more pallet,'” Byland said. “We have volunteers that stay here until 3 a.m.”
These days, Byland, her daughter Taylor Lonon and the volunteers are seemingly always on the clock.
“I’m normally here by 6:20 in the morning,” Lonon said. “And that gives me time to gather my bearings. We have some volunteers that have come here and they sleep here.”
It’s a big operation that Byland joked was “semi-organized.” Before Helene, the family ran a different kind of operation. At various times it’s been a furniture store, an accounting office, even a cleaning company. The storm changed everything for western North Carolina, including the family’s business model.
With their 70,000-square-foot building still intact, they decided to open their doors to anyone in need.
“We’ve got power, we’ve got water, we’ve got internet,” Lonon said. “I have five kids myself, so I said I’m going to put in our chat that they can come and check on loved ones, eat a plate of spaghetti … Within five days, it looked like this.”
The Hub of Hope distribution center now provides everyday essentials for anyone in Ashe County and western North Carolina. Byland said she’s not making a penny off the venture. Thankfully, generous neighbors have helped cover their operating costs.
“We have to think about it because the bills keep coming in,” she said. “There’s a mortgage, there are utility bills. Private donors have been a godsend so far.”
As donations continue to come in from across the country, there hasn’t been much time for the team to stop and reflect, but volunteers told WCNC Charlotte they know they’re moving in the right direction.
“Right now, this is absolutely our purpose,” Byland said. “This is where we are supposed to be.”
Contact Nick Sturdivant at nsturdiva1@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
