Andrea Beaudry, RN, MSN, can pinpoint the exact moment during Hurricane Helene she knew her family was in trouble.
“Our power went out around 5 am, which luckily woke us up,” said Andrea, who works remotely with Information Technology (IT) as clinical informatics manager. “We went to the most sheltered room in our basement to ride out the storm. Within an hour of relocating, a tree came through the bedrooms we were just sleeping in, caving in about one-third of the upper floor of our house.”
Hunkered down in their basement, Andrea, her husband, 5-year-old daughter and their pets remained tense as they heard tree after tree falling — some directly on their house and others on their 1-acre mountain property.
“It sounded and felt like earthquakes,” Andrea said, adding that they were surrounded by trees over 100 feet tall and easily bent by strong winds. “We are grateful that everyone in our house was unharmed.”
However, “exiting the house was a surreal experience. It looked like a war had just occurred.” Four trees had damaged their home and another 60 or so were on the ground. Both trees and power lines blocked their driveway and roads. They were trapped on the property.
Fortunately for Andrea and her family, help was on the way after the storm.
Neighbors near and far provided assistance. Asheville neighbors offered shelter and brought chainsaws, axes, tractors, food and water. Neighbors farther away — in central Virginia and at Centra — checked on Andrea and offered assistance through the Helping Hands program.
Administered by Centra Spiritual Care and Education, the Helping Hands program provides financial assistance for Centra Caregivers facing an acute, unexpected need. The program is funded by generous donors from the community, compassionate Caregivers who want to support colleagues in need and Centra.
For a Caregiver suddenly needing to rebuild her home and life, “the aid from Helping Hands was appreciated beyond what words can express.”
Since then, recovery has been a slow process. “But I am hopeful we are moving in the right direction,” Andrea said.
Repairs are scheduled to begin next month, six months after the devastating storm swept through her area and caused widespread damage.
“My daughter is looking forward to her new room,” Andrea said, sharing that their upstairs won’t be the only ‘new.’ “We hope construction will be done before her sister is born in April.”
Reflecting on the difficult journey and support, Andrea shared that there has been “beauty in the tragedy.”
“I cannot express how helpful the additional assistance from Helping Hands was for me and my family,” she said. “I am incredibly grateful and want to say thank you to everyone who has donated.”
You have the power to provide hope and help for Caregivers like Andrea facing an acute, unexpected need. In 2025, when Caregivers make a gift to the Greatest Need Fund, 20% of your donation goes to support the Helping Hands program. Caregivers also have the option to direct 100% of their gift to the Helping Hands Fund. In addition, community members can make a gift through the Centra Foundation to support the Helping Hands Fund. Thank you for your compassionate generosity!
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