More than six months have passed since Hurricane Helene roared through western North Carolina, leaving scars across the region. Among the hardest-hit areas was Chimney Rock Village—a place steeped in natural beauty and local pride. The storm left it battered, but not broken. Today, amidst the rumble of recovery, the town is not only rebuilding its structures but rekindling its spirit.
Mayor Peter O’Leary’s words capture both the gravity and the hope of the moment: “We still see tremendous damage… but we have made tremendous progress.” That progress isn’t measured only in cleared roads or reconstructed storefronts, but in the human resilience behind every hammer strike and every donation.
Chimney Rock’s recovery is a testament to the power of community and the kindness of strangers. From nearby counties to far-off states, more than 2,000 volunteers have converged here, answering the call of need.
At the heart of this movement is Great Needs Trust, an Amish volunteer group from Pennsylvania, whose members have become a familiar—and welcome—sight throughout the village.
🚨#BREAKING: Chimney Rock NC officials have confirmed that a mind-blowing 2,000 members of the Pennsylvania Amish Community have been quietly rebuilding the town’s homes, businesses, and bridges…
…for 6 months straight
GOD BLESS THE AMISH!! pic.twitter.com/DfwOFLyO8Q
— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) April 22, 2025
Their contributions are not just practical, though they are impressive in scope. “We’ve been cleaning the campground, insulating buildings, dry walling… all the little things that need doing,” shared Sylvia Stoltzfus, a volunteer.
But what’s more striking is the emotional impact these efforts have had. “It just fills my heart with joy,” said fellow volunteer Amos Stoltzfus, reflecting on seeing storm-stricken residents slowly regain what was lost.
Great Needs Trust isn’t just rebuilding homes—they’re reinforcing a sense of togetherness. In a time when division often dominates the headlines, the sight of people from different states, walks of life, and even faiths, working side by side in Chimney Rock, is a powerful reminder of what American community truly looks like.
Of course, the road to recovery is far from over. Mayor O’Leary made it clear: this is a multiyear journey. But with every nail driven and every hand extended, Chimney Rock edges closer to its future—one not just of restoration, but of reinvention.
Susan Miller, one of the volunteers, put it best: “It is fun making a difference.” And that difference is written in the renewed hopes of a town that refuses to let disaster define it.
