A mother-daughter duo in a western North Carolina closed their small business in late September to turn it into a full-time relief center to help their community recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helen. Now, more than a month later, they tell Fox News Digital their goal remains the same as day one: to give hope to all victims for as long as it takes.
Jen Byland and her daughter, Taylor Lonon, wasted no time in making their 70,000-square-foot Jimmy & Jean’s Family Entertainment and Arcade. family entertainment center to Ashe County’s largest supply distribution center where families can also refuel and receive hot meals.
“We didn’t want to do that,” Taylor told Fox News Digital. “We started this, went in to assess our damage the day after the storm and found out we had power, water, internet, a working kitchen and a big space for the kids to run around in.”
When Taylor suggested opening the business for their local football team, Jen took it a step further by opening for all of Ashe County.
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Taylor Lonon and Jen Byland are co-owners of Jimmy and Jeans Family Entertainment and Arcade in Ashe County, North Carolina. (Taylor Lonon)
“Within five days, our 70,000-square-foot warehouse was completely stocked,” Taylor said. “We’ve now had donations from 38 states. And they just keep flooding in.”
The mother and daughter lead a team of volunteers that collects and distributes much-needed supplies not only to their community and others across the state, but also to other affected communities in Virginia. and Tennessee which was damaged when the storm hit on September 26.
Donations poured in from 38 states. (Taylor Lonon)
About 300 to 400 families a day stop by for supplies or a hot meal, Jen said, adding that as of two weeks ago, the number they’ve helped directly was about 4,200 people.
The mother-daughter duo uses their 70,000-square-foot business as a supply distribution center. (Taylor Lonon)
But the duo hasn’t been alone in helping out.
“We have a husband and wife couple that came here from Canada,” Jen said. Others came from Texas, Colorado and California to deploy to the center.
After the hurricane, volunteers came from all over the country at Jimmy and Jeans. (Taylor Lonon)
“We’ve had other groups come from all over the US for a week and they don’t seem to want to leave,” Jen said. “They come in and they just say, OK, I’m coming back. I’m going to come back in a month.”
Taylor said that in the rural area where they live, many people often struggle to ask others for help.
“We live in a very rural area and it has very proud people,” he said. “And it’s hard enough to get them through our doors, you know, it takes a lot for them to ask for anything, especially the wayward farmers, you know, their farms are destroyed and they don’t want to ask for anything. ”
Volunteers also provide affected families with hot meals and a chance to recharge. (Taylor Lonon)
“It’s very sad,” Taylor continued. “And it’s overwhelming to see how many emotions go through our building in one day. But they are amazing to watch. They come in here and they laugh and they smile and they get what they need and they leave with like. a little more hope, you know.”
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Jenn and Taylor say requested items include battery-powered heaters for those who lost their homes and are living in tents; remedy for flu and cold season and items for the rebuilding phase, such as dehumidifiers, construction gloves and tools, and bleach to get rid of mold.
“Just think about it, well, my house is damaged. What do I need to return it? And those are the needs we’re trying to fill right now,” Jen said, adding that basic needs like food and water have. met quite a few. A current need list is posted on the Jimmy & Jean’s Family Entertainment and Arcade Facebook page.
The center supplies North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. (Taylor Lonon)
When Fox News Digital asked the duo what would happen to their business if it remained closed, Jen and Taylor said they were partnering with a nonprofit for monetary donations to cover costs, and a company offered to match donations dollar for dollar. . up to 250,000 USD.
“When people say, well, what do you need, what do you need? And our response is that as long as supplies can continue and we can keep the lights on, we will stay open and continue to not only serve our community, but any community in need,” Taylor said.
Jenn said the team is “in it for the long haul” and is already planning Thanksgiving and Christmas Project, as well as starting their own non-profit organization called the Node of Hope.
“We give hope,” Jen said. “Everyone who walks in here, our goal is that they leave with a little more hope than they came through the doors.”