I would like to call for donations for an Asheville-based art therapist, Sara Baicich. Sara is a good friend of mine whom I went to graduate school with. She has been an Asheville-based therapist for over 10 years, working in a small private practice and providing care for a child with disabilities. Sara lives in the mountain of Asheville and sheltered with a friend during Hurricane Helene.
After the storm left, Sara was able to hike up the mountain to see her house and car. Her house has been miraculously intact, however, the road to her house has been covered in trees that were knocked down by the storm. Her car was smashed by a tree and is now not functional. The road is a private road therefore Sara and her neighbors will have to clean it up themselves. In addition to the devastation of the entire Asheville community, her ability to go to work is now compromised. During her hike, Sara checked on her neighbors. They had no cell service, so Sara offered to make phone calls for them as she hiked back down to town. Sara has been staying with friends who managed to use Starlink to get cell service, but many are struggling without power.
The future of getting running water and power back together is uncertain. The community of Asheville is working through the disaster one day at a time with infrastructures completely disrupted.
Therefore at this time, I would like to ask for your direct donation to help my friend Sara. Any excess funds will go to the Asheville area.
Here is a statement from Sara" Hurricane Helene has devastated the city I’ve called home for 10+ years. I am safe, but my transportation, home, and ability to make money are compromised. This picture shows me standing in what was my road. Also my car was hit by a tree. It may not be totaled, but the logistics of getting it repaired in a disaster zone are rough, as you can imagine.
I am asking for support. Below are ways to directly help me out. Any money I do not use will go to mutal aid relief.
Venmo: @sarabaicich Last phone digits- 4992
Zelle: sarabaicich@yahoo.com
Also, there are many worse off than me. Please consider giving directly to one of the mutual aid funds below.
Beloved Asheville
Venmo: @BeLoved-Asheville
Paypal: BeLovedAsheville
WNC Rural Organizing and Resilience (ROAR)
Asheville Medical Solidarity/ Asheville Survival Program
Venmo: @AppMedSolid
cashapp: $streets1de