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Photo:
Gary Gershoff/Getty Images
Ben Napier
knows the importance of home. Now the star of
Home Town
and
Home Town Takeover
is reflecting on the devastation from
Hurricane Helene
on homes across the South, particularly in the Western part of North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, which were hit hard.
While Ben and his wife,
Erin
, and their two daughters, live in
Mississippi
, he has strong ties to to the Smoky Mountains and the towns that were flooded by the natural disaster.
“Growing up, the Smokies of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee were heaven for my brothers and me,” Ben
wrote on Instagram
. “The first vacation I can remember was to this part of our great country. I went to church camp at
@lakejunaluska
every summer, and continued as a youth minister.”
In addition to making great childhood memories in the Smokies, he explains that visiting the mountains and the towns in the Smokies was an important part of building a foundation for his relationship with his wife, Erin. “This place is a part of mine and
@erinapier
’s love story,” he wrote, sharing photos from his younger days with Erin and his family.
Western North Carolina and the city of Asheville in particular were slammed by the hurricane. Widespread flooding throughout the area has wiped out roads, homes, and businesses and power has yet to be restored to much of the region.
In his post, Ben directed folks to his
Instagram Stories
for ideas as to where to donate to help those in need. Suggested recipients from his include
Manna Food Bank
,
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
,
Mountain Projects
, and others.
Here is a list
of organizations working in the region to help those in the aftermath of the storm.