Ornaments created to brighten Asheville Christmas

  • PruittHealth of Blue Ridge resident, Roy Hooker helped make Christmas ornaments for the victims of Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina.
    PruittHealth of Blue Ridge resident, Roy Hooker helped make Christmas ornaments for the victims of Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina.
  • Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church members helped make ornaments for the Hurricane Helene victims. Shown are, from left, Suzanne Patterson, Debbie Curry, Shirley Frett and Eileen Rabon.
    Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church members helped make ornaments for the Hurricane Helene victims. Shown are, from left, Suzanne Patterson, Debbie Curry, Shirley Frett and Eileen Rabon.
  • Betty Caldwell, age 91, helped make ornaments at the Fannin County Senior Center for the victims of Hurricane Helene. The ornaments were delivered December 5.
    Betty Caldwell, age 91, helped make ornaments at the Fannin County Senior Center for the victims of Hurricane Helene. The ornaments were delivered December 5.
  • Nora and Sarah Miller are standing with some of the ornaments that were made for the victims that were affected by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina. The ornaments were delivered December 5.
    Nora and Sarah Miller are standing with some of the ornaments that were made for the victims that were affected by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina. The ornaments were delivered December 5.

    Two local residents organized a Christmas project for victims of Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina.

    Hand-made tree ornaments were made by residents ranging in age from 5 to 91 years old. Kathy Thompson worked with local groups and individuals to produce the ornaments. Tim Taylor of Morganton coordinated distribution with Cabins4Christ.

    Tim has been volunteering with the organization since the flooding. Cabins4Christ builds small cabins as temporary shelters families use while rebuilding their homes.  Construction of the cabins takes place at The Cove, a property run by the Billy Graham organization.  Cabins4Christ gives these buildings fully furnished and equipped for flood victims. Because space in these shelters is limited, Thompson came up with the idea of using three-foot half-trees that hang on the walls. These were also donated by area residents.

    “The response was wonderful and far more than I anticipated,” stated Thompson. Over 1, 210 ornaments were created by groups and individuals. An estimated 95 adults and 35 children made ornaments from a wide variety of materials. Included in production were local womans groups from churches including, Copperhill United Methodist, Cherry Log Christian Church, Harbor Ministries, Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church, and Williamstown Methodist Church. Additionally, attendees at the Fannin County Senior Center and residents at Pruitt Nursing Home worked hard on their contributions. The children’s Ministries at Epworth First Baptist Church had a wonderful time painting ornaments. “Individuals and some from other areas got involved. My nieces from Upstate New York, grandkids from Atlanta, a group of artists from Dillard, Georgia, and a quilter from Ellijay made beautiful creations,” according to Thompson.

    Every ornament carried on the back, the creators’ first name, age, where they lived, and a personal message. “This aspect may have been the most important part,” noted Tim Taylor. “The recipients knew folks cared about them.”

    The ornaments, tinsel, and hanging materials were assembled in pizza boxes and gift bags for larger ornaments.

    A total of 70 pizza boxes and 40 bags were filled. They were delivered to Asheville Thursday, December 5.