Community Support for Families Impacted by Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene left a profound impact on families and communities throughout Western North Carolina. The storm displaced countless families, disrupting lives and leaving children and parents with an overwhelming need for comfort, support, and stability. In response to this devastating event, Hive Mind Therapy, based in the heart of Western North Carolina, recognized the urgent need to step up and help restore a sense of community and healing.

Our Mission of Support: Therapeutic Comfort Boxes for Displaced Children

In the days following the hurricane, Hive Mind Therapy’s owner, Sherree Turcott, felt compelled to take action. Drawing on her personal experience and dedication to mental health, Sherree envisioned “therapeutic comfort boxes” for children displaced by the storm—boxes that would bring a sense of security and tools for emotional resilience to kids facing uncertain circumstances.

Sherree reached out to her network of local mothers, many of whom are small business owners and nonprofit leaders, who were eager to help make this vision a reality. Through community support, Sherree raised $3,000 and received generous donations, allowing her to build comfort boxes tailored to the needs of young children coping with trauma. Each box contains:

    A book to read

    for distraction and relaxation

    Coloring books and tools

    for creative expression

    A handwritten caregiver note

    offering guidance and encouragement

    A message drawn by a child

    to inspire hope and connection

    A soft stuffed animal or blanket

    for comfort and reassurance

    Sensory items

    like Play-Doh, slime, and fidget toys for stress relief

    Emotional regulation activities

    to help children process their feelings

    Puzzles and games

    to encourage engagement and focus

    A parent guide

    • with evidence-based advice on discussing the hurricane and using the items for therapeutic support

    Thanks to the community’s generosity, Sherree and her team assembled and distributed 400 comfort boxes, providing direct support to families in need.

    A Community Event for Healing and Hope

    SAVE THE DATE! To further expand these efforts, Sherree partnered with the National Emergency Child Care Network (NECCN), a North Carolina grassroots organization. Together, they are hosting a large-scale community event on December 14th at a local Asheville school. This event will feature:

    • Free comfort boxes from Hive Mind Therapy and NECCN for local families
    • 1,000 comfort bags donated by McGraw Hill Publishing, filled with additional resources and goodies
    • Free arts and crafts, games, activities, and giveaways for children and families to enjoy
    • Complimentary food for all attending families
    • Local artisans and vendors showcasing their wares, providing a holiday shopping opportunity that supports small businesses in our community

    Families Together: A Holiday Celebration

     Over the past eight weeks, I have been dedicated to fundraising and collecting donations to curate 400 therapeutic comfort boxes for children affected by the recent hurricane. Through collaboration with community partners, I’ve also gathered over 1,000 additional giveaways to provide extra support and joy to these families.

    To further our mission, I’ve organized a community event to bring families together, foster connection, and provide much-needed resources. Details about the event, as well as opportunities for vendors and volunteers, are outlined below.  Thank you for considering joining us as a vendor or volunteer and helping to spread the word!  

     Join Us for a Day of Community, Fun, and Connection! 

     Date: December 14th
     Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
     Location: Hall Fletcher Elementary School Asheville, NC

    Hive Mind Therapy invites families, vendors, and volunteers to a community event filled with joy and holiday spirit!

    For Families:

    •  Free Therapeutic Comfort Boxes – 400 available!
    •  Comfort Bags & Children’s Books – Over 1,000 to give away!
    •  Free Food
    •  Music, Games, Activities, and Crafts
    •  Holiday Shopping – Explore unique finds from local artisans and small businesses

       

       Questions? Email us: info@hivemindtherapy.org

      How You Can Help

      We’re still accepting donations to continue building comfort boxes and supporting families affected by Hurricane Helene. You can make a difference by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List or making a financial contribution through Venmo (@Sherree-Turcott) or PayPal (@Sherreeturcott).