As a community member witnessing firsthand the devastation Hurricane Helene has caused, I grapple daily with the terrible aftermath. Homes are destroyed, lives are disrupted and people are struggling in ways unimaginable. Through all this chaos, the Comfort Site at Owen Pool emerged as a beacon of hope for us in Swannanoa. It provides not just essential services like hot meals for families struggling to make ends meet, showers, and laundry facilities, but also taps into the very core of human needs- safety, dignity, and connection.

Following the hurricane, the Comfort Site has become more than a relief centre, it has become a lifeline for many. Shutting its doors would not only disrupt the services provided but shatter the glimmer of hope it offers to people who have lost everything.

We have all lost something precious in this disaster. But in the midst of such loss, we found solidarity in this beacon of hope. It is heartbreaking to even think about it being taken away, especially when so many still depend on it. Let's come together as a community and fight for the Owen Pool Comfort Site. Every sign of support is a sign of hope. Sign this petition to keep it open.