A few weeks ago on Election Day, we talked with residents across Western North Carolina to ask them what they were grateful for. Beyond politics, community members shared with BPR News reporters they’re most thankful this Thanksgiving for friends, family, and living in Appalachia.
Many were also thankful for the community support after Helen's devastation across the region.
Here’s a look at what Western North Carolinians are giving thanks for this year:
“I'm grateful that a lot of people did come to help whenever people lost their homes and their businesses.”
– Adawechi Parker, Madison County
“That I’m healthy, that my family is healthy and I’m thankful for this nation and I hope that we all come together.”
– Danny Keever, Sylva
“I'm grateful for the land. I'm grateful for the mountains. I'm grateful that even though we have such a divided county and such a divided state, that I do feel like, especially when the hurricane came through, we all came together and helped each other. Hopefully, we can build on that kind of spirit and mentality because it was really beautiful to witness.”
– Dasha Alexander, Madison County
“My son retired from the military so he'll be home for Thanksgiving this year so that'll be great. He's married and so he and his wife will come over and have Thanksgiving with us. I'm very thankful that they moved back home.”
– Kellie Brewer, Webster
“I feel it's an important time more than ever to evaluate why that holiday is what it is and for us to be thankful for our lives, our ability to go out and exercise our right to do anything, especially the grievous loss that we've all experienced throughout multi-generations. I think that it's speaking on its own that we're alive in general. I'm grateful to have a community.”
– Keawe Bone, Qualla Boundary
“I am very grateful for my community and I'm grateful for the people that are coming in this community and wanting to be a part of it. They truly want to be a part of, like, what to me is Appalachian culture. So like bluegrass and canning and quilting and like this camaraderie of community and no one gets left out of the picture. Everyone has a hot meal and everyone has a roof over their head. To me, that's what it means to be Appalachian, is to make sure that your community is taken care of, to make sure from the least to the greatest is involved. And to be Appalachian is to say, this is who we are with all our grit and salt of the earth. And we come to love and to serve others.”
– Shasta Wilde, Madison County
