HURRICANE HELENE UPDATE

Beloved member of the Sunlight Tax community,
I live and work in Asheville, at the top of the Appalachian mountains in Western North Carolina. In late September, a 500-year flood caused by Hurricane Helene devastated our region.

In Asheville, many artists’ studios and small creative businesses line the rivers - and most of these are now gone. Some of the small creative mountain enclaves that make this region special - like Black Mountain, Celo, and Penland, were hit even harder.

My own studio was destroyed, and I lost 20 years of artwork, from art school to the work I just had returned from my recent solo exhibition.

While this is a personal tragedy, I am lucky that Sunlight Tax remains functional, and I can still earn a living, serve creatives, and support my community.

I have joined the 1% for Asheville campaign (but please know that I’m donating funds to benefit the whole region of WNC, not just Asheville).
I am donating at least 1% of my revenue for November and December to grant funding for artists and small businesses in WNC.

With that said, the doors to my signature program for making taxes a breeze and building your funds for the future, Money Bootcamp, are open. When you join, you will not just be empowered to take control of your taxes, it will also benefit the community here in Western North Carolina.

If you have considered joining Money Bootcamp, know that

  • the program is lifetime access,

  • the materials are immediately available to you upon purchase

  • You get guaranteed tax updates for one year–and the tax laws are about to change with the new President and Congress. There’s never been a better time to get my digestible and timely tax updates.

If you join, or if you are already part of Money Bootcamp, I will serve you well and with gratitude. Here is the link to join.

  • 1. Emergency Relief Fund Grants for Artists

    2. The WNC Strong: Rebuilding Together Grant for grant aid to help local WNC businesses survive and rebuild

    3. The Sunlight Tax Paypal mutual aid fund. 100% of donations will be given to people I know and love and who need it

    4. Love Asheville from Afar: links to WNC businesses that have inventory and would love your support. Please consider Asheville and WNC businesses as you send gifts this fall and for the holidays.

  • Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance (www.disasterassistance.gov)

    If you need money for water, shelter safety gear or even a chainsaw from Helene’s damage, you can apply on your phone. Watch my video here for additional guidance

    Application takes about 15 minutes. You can add in insurance info later if you don’t have it handy. You just need you & your partner’s SSNs and basic household info.

    Even if you suffered minor damage, you’ll likely qualify for money for water and hotel and supplies. I recommend doing it. I just applied, and it took 15 minutes on my phone with decent WiFi.

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    AN OPPORTUNITY FOR WNC MAKERS+VINTAGE SELLERS

    If you have the inventory ready and the ability to travel to Charlotte in just under two weeks time, please let us know! This is a large scale, high volume, indoor market.

    At this time we are only adding vendors from the areas directly impacted by Hurricane Helene. Booths are available at no cost to the vendor. These spaces will be available until filled. We will keep this post updated on availability status as best we can.

    You can email vintcharlotte@gmail.com
    with interest or questions.

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    EMERGENCY GRANTS FOR ARTISTS

    Go to https://cerfplus.org/ for more information.

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    US SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DISASTER ASSISTANCE: Loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits affected by the disaster. This includes:

    • Home Disaster Loans: Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.

    • Business Physical Disaster Loans: Loans to businesses for repairing or replacing disaster-damaged property, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations are eligible.

    • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Working capital loans available to help small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses, and non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their financial obligations during a disaster recovery period.

    An SBA office is now open at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce at 36 Montford Avenue. Hours are M-F 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-3pm, closed on Sundays.

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    DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AVAILABLE

    People in Buncombe County who are unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Helene may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Business owners and self-employed individuals affected by the storm may also qualify for benefits. 

    • People have 60 days from Oct. 1 to file an application for DUA atdes.nc.gov. The deadline to apply is Dec. 2, 2024. If you are not able to file through the website, you can call the DUA Hotline at 919-629-3857.

    • All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from application date. DES will work with people who cannot provide all documentation to ensure that their unemployment benefits are not delayed.

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    KESSIAH CARLBON

    Kessiah is willing to help a small business that’s been devastated by Helene who could use a website to rebuild their business. Kessiah will build it pro bono. Message her on Instagram: @wildmoonrise

I love you all so much.
Joy and pain do not arrive in separate packages. I'm finding that life braids them together.

Warmly,
Hannah