Dec. 30, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: As a member of the Natural Bridge Ruritan Club and the Glasgow Garden Club, I would like to say a very public thank you to Gary and Elizabeth Barker for their very generous contributions of time, energy and resources to the providing of Thanksgiving meals to members of a remote community devastated by hurricane Helene.
Not only did they organize the effort but also started work in 18 degrees cold, to cook 300 pounds of turkey and all the “fixings” which were then distributed to feed hundreds of local hurricane victims at no charge. And there were funds left over which have been pledged to assist rebuilding Beacon Village in Swanannoa, N.C. Beacon Village was completely flooded with water over the rooftops of homes and multiple families were rescued by chopping holes through their roofs. Many of the tenants there lost everything and do not have the means to rebuild.
The Natural Bridge Ruritan and Glasgow Garden Clubs appreciated the opportunity to provide some funds for this endeavor. Personally, I feel privileged to live in a community peopled with the likes of Gary and Elizabeth Barker and the many other local persons and organizations who have also generously contributed to these relief efforts and continue to contribute. GARNETTE TEASS Natural Bridge
