ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) — Communities in Western North Carolina continue to rebuild nearly two months after Helene. A business owner there is helping to spearhead those relief efforts.
Michael Geisler owns Ace Handyman Services Asheville, a company helping families repair their homes across western North Carolina. He told 7NEWS his staff raised nearly $20,000 to provide essential supplies for free.
“How many families we’ve affected, it’s hard to put a number on that, but how many families can we help, I hope that never ends,” said Geisler. “We want to have that direct impact. So, if someone is donating a dollar, we’re buying something at cost. And we’re taking that dollar, and giving them, and the ability through Ace Hardware, to open that door for us.”
Geisler said his team has given away items like generators, heaters, cleaning supplies and carbon monoxide detectors. He said it’s helping families in Asheville’s most-devastated neighborhoods restore their homes, and clear them of water and debris.
“It is heartbreaking to hear that,” Geisler also said, referencing families torn apart after Helene’s devastation. “So, if I can just do a little bit to help those folks maybe, give them some light, and help out any way we possibly can, that is the most important thing, and all of my folks that work for me have the exact same feeling.”
Geisler told 7NEWS that Helene forced him to close his business for two weeks. His mission now is to serve as many families as he can. Geisler said he has boots on the ground delivering supplies directly to Helene victims.
“The true devastation that happened in the Asheville area and some of the surrounding towns, I tell you what, it takes your heart, and throws it on the floor, and you stomp on it,” Geisler went on to say. “We rallied the troops, and you know, all of us came together, we’re a big family, to give back to our community family, in any way that we could.”
Anyone who would like assistance can visit any Ace Hardware store in the Asheville area and let a staff member know of the need, or find more information on the Ace Handyman Services website. There is also a link here for anyone who’d like to donate.
