Posted on 04/24/2025 6:13:12 AM PDT by MtnClimber
Recovery and rebuilding efforts from the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Helene on towns like Chimney Rock, North Carolina has largely faded from the headlines and the public’s awareness.
Over the past 6 months, however, a team of 2,000 volunteers from the Great Needs Trust, a Pennsylvania Amish community, have been quietly and steadily rebuilding the town’s homes, businesses and bridges.
Chimney Rock Mayor Peter O’Leary told WCNC, “When we look around, we still see tremendous damage and realize it will take a long time to build back. But at the same time, we have made tremendous progress, and that is very encouraging.”
The Amish volunteers have offered skilled labor and compassion in their efforts to help rebuild the community with volunteer Amanda Zook describing how they “Our hearts just felt drawn to come help the people in this area.”
Amos Stoltzfus is another volunteer who traveled hundreds of miles to come to the aid of the residents of Chimney Rock.
Stoltzfus remarked, “It just fills my heart with joy, watching people get their life back again. Somebody that was completely devastated through the storm … somebody who didn’t have anything … it is just so encouraging to see them get back on their feet.”
The western North Carolina mountain community was among the hardest hit during Hurricane Helene with virtually every business sustaining some level of damage.
Mayor O’Leary noted that the recovery will be a long-term effort, stating, “This is a multiyear process. It is a huge job that is going to take a lot of input, a lot of resources, a lot of efforts by a lot of people. All of the building material going into these stores has been donated up to this point, and it has just been a tremendous recovery story that is ongoing.”
While politicians and bureaucrats have bickered and postured over how to direct government aid to storm-devastated communities like Chimney Rock, the Amish members of the Great Needs Trust are showing what compassion and community, combined with action, can accomplish.
My Amish furniture all have great finish. I even have an Amish grandfather clock.
I bought a belt. It was black. They didn't blacken the holes (so I did). The material was thick, but it wasn't supple. Their dog leashes are wonderfully supple and strong, but the edges are rough. They didn't cut the thread flush to the surface, leaving a string hanging from it. The collars are amazingly tough, but they don't come in much of a range of lengths, so I had to buy a longer one and cut it.
Etc. I'm not bitching per se, as I am going to continue to buy their products, but they just don't exude the pride of craftsmanship I had expected of that work ethic and for which I would gladly pay. Products that last a lifetime should be like that.
The Amish in PA, OH, IN and other areas make everything you can imagine out of wood & PVC: Cabinets, sheds, furniture, cupolas, planters, fencing, pallets, trusses, wall panels bed frame, cabins, barns, doors, windows, flooring, etc.
My company sells many Amish & Mennonite owned/operated companies.
I would trust an Amish bridge to last 100 years.
I have bought my last couple leather belts at the local county fair here in NH. A husband and wife buy the cow hide, tan, dye and cut them to width. Any belt on the table was $25 with a brass or chrome buckle.
They measure your waist, cut it to the correct length and punch holes in it while you wait.
I attend an Amish auction every year in May in Western PA with my sister who lives in NW PA. It’s 80+% Amish, so it’s not a “tourist event.”
Of course, there are lots of Amish children and teens. I watch them closely, and noticed that none of these kids are “hyperactive.” They speak quietly and calmly - even in a large group of other kids/teens. They are able focus on an event or task, and they all seem to have some purpose. The girls form cooperative groups to watch the youngest children, and both the older boys and girls are always working at some task. They do not have nervous ticks and twitches. They are relatively tall (given their German heritage) and also quite fit. Obviously, none are overweight.
Without passing judgement, it seems the difference in their vs. our “modern” lifestyle is producing increasingly noticeable physical, psychological and behavioral differences.
Guy i worked for hired two of them to skid logs on a job he had down by Spring Green.
I was the most lonely kid on earth cutting timber ahead of them.
Pick them up and nothing was said. Work all day and nothing was said. Taking them back home after work..the same.
But boy could they handle them horses. We ran single horse hitch most of the time and i cut short logs so one horse could handle them. One coming, the other going. All day long.
They obviously need more tolerance and diversity. /s
This is probably a stupid question, but do the Amish have a website for their products? I would be interested in seeing what they have for dogs. I need a dog harness that my English Bulldog will not break! Thanks!
There is a wide range of Amish leather products for dogs at Leerburg.com.
Nice, but “works”?
Ephesians 2:8-10 New International Version (NIV)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Thank you! I will check them out.
I guess they help in between car jacking and drug deals.
Bought a two-bottom plow from an elderly Amish farmer 40 years ago, still use it to plow the garden. Good people if you ask me.
My neighbor was raised Amish, but many of his family members left, 'The Life.' He still hired his cousins to build a horse arena and various out-buildings on his farm. Done in a few DAYS - with all hand tools. Amazing to watch.
I worked for Seed Savers. We closed our store in Madison and moved the whole operation to their farm in Decorah, Iowa. We were given a donation from a very LOVELY donor and used the $ to build a Visitors Center. The local Amish built it and it is STUNNING - post and beam, etc. I set up the whole store with seed racks (also Amish-made) and gift ideas, educational books, etc. I was offered the job there, running the place, but my boys were in HS at the time so I wasn't going to uproot us all and move to Iowa. ;)
They are the only ones i know who can put up a complete dairy barn in one day.
I’ve watched them do it. What they need is ALL, the beams or material ready and on site. Supply the food and water. They even bring their women in to prepare the meals.
Good ol fashion barn raising.
Just west of Howards Grove WI.
Lehman’s carries a lot of Amish-made items:
https://www.lehmans.com/category/amish-made
(I didn’t look to see if they have pet items.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.