We are several weeks past hurricane Helene and over a week past hurricane Milton, and the stories of senior living hurricane recovery heroes are nothing short of inspiring. While life is back to normal for many, countless people in western North Carolina and other areas of the southeast are still grappling with the aftermath.

As we continue to face the challenges Mother Nature has handed out, we would be amiss if we didn’t take a few minutes to recognize some of the unsung senior living hurricane recovery heroes of these disasters! If you aren’t mentioned individually here, you know who you are, and we thank you!

I would like to highlight a couple of moving stories of heroism and love. In Tampa, Florida; more than 135 residents in an assisted living were rescued after hurricane Milton Over 135 rescued from Tampa assisted living facility after Milton brings ‘unprecedented’ flooding | WFLA thanks to the heroism of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The residents were transported to drier conditions via rafts, airboats, and amphibious vehicles (5) Video | Facebook. Imagine the stories they have to tell their grandchildren and great-grandchildren!

In Charlotte, NC, non-profit retirement communities have been sending supplies and volunteers to help senior communities in Western North Carolina. Shuttle buses from retirement communities like The Sharon at SouthPark and Southminster in Charlotte were quickly filled with adult briefs, wipes, pallets of water and pet food and off they went to the communities in need in the mountains. Tom Akins, president and CEO of Leading Age North Carolina, began sending “help” text messages out on Sunday night. Tom was quoted as saying “you have this group of people whose natural inclination is to care for others, and that need was there”, “I mean, folks just jumped out of the woodwork!” Southminster also happens to have an on-site laundry facility, so staff have been collecting dirty laundry from the mountain communities when they drop off supplies, carting the laundry back and then returning it clean and folded the next day! In the first two days of their relief efforts, Southminster staff had washed and folded more than 50 loads of linens and clothing for three communities! Wow! Retirement communities race to help their mountain counterparts (substack.com)

I, for one, have a renewed faith in our ability to care for one another and when the chips are down, be there, even to hold a hand and pray. Stay well and stay informed!