In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which swept through Asheville and surrounding areas, Mount Airy City Schools extended a remarkable gesture of kindness and support to students in the Owen District. Just one day after the storm, Polly Long of Mount Airy City Schools reached out to ask how they could help.
After collaborating with Christy Cheek of the Buncombe County Schools Foundation, they devised a plan to provide a hoodie for every student in the Owen district. The initiative, though ambitious, quickly gained traction as Mount Airy students and staff sprang into action with fundraising efforts.
The students organized creative fundraisers, including cider and cookie sales, a powder puff football game, and they even enlisted the help of their local radio station to spread the word. Their hard work paid off, raising enough funds to purchase high-quality sweatshirts for every Owen District student. To make the gesture even more meaningful, each hoodie was personalized with the Owen horseshoe logo—a symbol of unity and pride for the district.
“The Interact Club at Mount Airy High School is all about connecting with the community, reaching out, and making a difference,” said Mount Airy High School student Jaqueline Zamora. “We got all of the Mount Airy schools involved. Schools had fundraisers, we sold food at football games, and we made announcements each morning to ask ‘Who wants to Bundle Up for Buncombe?’ Students would bring $13 dollars to the office to buy a sweatshirt for a student in the Owen District.”
The generosity didn’t stop there. A group of teachers, students, principals, and even Mount Airy City Schools’ superintendent, Dr. Phillip Brown, delivered the hoodies in person to schools across the Owen district. The surprise delivery brought joy to students, many of whom were still recovering from the storm’s impact.
“This is such a tremendous gift,” said Owen Middle School Principal Bradley McMahan. “We’re going to see students wearing these hoodies out and in stores and restaurants all over. It’s going to really be something to unify the valley.”
Students marveled at the thoughtful gift, with one describing the sweatshirt as “like putting on a hug.” The hoodies were praised for their softness, but more importantly, they symbolized the compassion and solidarity shared between two school districts.
This extraordinary act of kindness highlights the power of community and the importance of supporting one another during challenging times. Buncombe County Schools extend heartfelt thanks to Mount Airy City Schools for their generosity and for embracing Owen students in such a tangible and meaningful way.
“Thank you for wrapping your arms around our students in a way we could’ve never imagined,” Cheek said.
