To Our Dear Friends and Community,
As I sit down to write this update about the events of the past few days in Western North Carolina it almost feels too daunting to undertake. Massive flooding, mudslides, power outages, lack of water. Homes and livelihoods destroyed. It's a lot to process.
For me, there are two competing emotions existing right under the surface.
The first is a vacillation between worry and fear about the devastation and loss that has occurred, while ruminating over the many unknowns for the future.
Second, I feel a sense of extreme wonder as I marvel at all of the beautiful and selfless, kindness, love, compassion, patience in action I have seen in our community in Asheville. I've also felt it from so many of you outside of Asheville.
The second feeling is the one that creates a quicker volume of tears in my eyeballs. There is a love in human beings in these kinds of disasters that you get to see rarely and it's such an incredible reminder of our innate good. I've always known it, but it feels great to have it confirmed.
Some examples of love and caring in action I've seen: neighbors sharing food, water and gasoline. I've seen friends traveling to nearby cities to gather supplies to distribute. Strangers have opened their homes for shelter to one another. I've seen countless organizations and groups mobilize to take care of our most vulnerable.
Also I've received innumerable messages of support and inquiries about how those outside of Asheville could help.
To that end, I want to share a few ways that you can help, if you're able, both for our the community in Western North Carolina and also for us personally.
Please consider donating to one of the organizations on the ground in Asheville doing incredible work:
As for the future of our store, we simply don't know when we may be able to reopen and how it may look when we do. We have a lot of unanswered questions and concerns. The unknowns created by this disaster are daunting for so many and we're in that group, taking it one day at a time.
Full disclosure and complete transparency; we sold our home to have the capital to open our business. We've quite literally, put everything we have in it. We depend on income from the store to meet our families basic needs.
To generate income during this time I am able to work remotely taking on interior styling and design projects. I am also actively seeking other employment in the fields of: retail consulting, visual merchandising, design services, social media management, and creative direction. If you know of any opportunities in these fields, please connect me.
Another way to support is to shop our online store. Shipping will be delayed but if you're not in a hurry we will resume fulfilling orders as soon as we can.
Last, some have asked for our Venmo to send us cash to help us bridge the financial gap. Our Venmo handle is @therethereshop. Please don't feel any pressure to send money if you are not well-resourced or simply not inclined. Given the outpouring of inquiries about how to help, we're grateful to know so many care.
Email me anytime at mindy@therethereshop.co if you have any ideas, initiatives, job opportunities, feedback, or just want to say hi. Email me also if there is a way I can be of support to you during this time. I want to help.
With love and gratitude,
Mindy
