Swannanoa Man Living In Tent Post-Helene Receives Camper From Good Samaritans

Keith Bills is a volunteer firefighter from Statesville - when he found out about people living in tents in Western North Carolina, he quickly jumped into action.
James Scott,

SWANNANOA, N.C. — Nearly three weeks after Helene, some people in western North Carolina are still living in tents.

β€œA lot of people want to help,” says Brian Blazer.

Blazer, an Alabama resident, is one of those people who are lending a helping hand. He’s made the 10-hour round-trip drive to Swannanoa multiple times to deliver critical supplies to those in need. But when he saw people like Joe Bryant living in tents – he knew they needed more.

β€œIt just really brings you to tears,” says Blazer, “My wife came with me and said, β€˜I’ve got to hug these people.”

@brianblazer2

My wife hugs the man living in a tent #storm #helena #northcarolina

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He started filming with his phone and posted them on social media to let the world know how dire the situation has become.

@brianblazer2

Tent livng after loosing their houses #storm #helena #northcarolina

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β€œPeople are really moved by seeing how people need and what the need is,” says Keith Bills.

β€œYou think about things in a different light; how blessed we really are to have the things we have versus somebody an hour and 20 minutes away.”

Bills, a volunteer firefighter from Statesville, was certainly moved by what he’s seen on social media – and in person. He’s also made multiple trips to the Swannanoa area – and when he found out about people living in tents, he jumped into action.

β€œI put on my Facebook, β€˜If you’ve got an old camper and it’s sitting in your yard, it’s being a nuisance, as long as it’s still livable, donate it out.’”

And sure enough, he got a hit. An anonymous donor gave him a trailer – and Bills hit the ground running.

β€œSo, we loaded it up last Friday and I contacted Travis, since he knows the people,” says Bills.

He’s talking about Travis Frizsell, who works at Appalachian Tool & Machine in Swannanoa – and as it turns out, he did know someone – his coworker, Joe Bryant. Bryant and his dog are no longer camping in the cold – that’s music to Blazer’s ears.

β€œI’m ecstatic. I could just jump up and down,” beams Blazer.

β€œThey’re up out of the dirt and they’re in a camper, and they’re in a better environment just because of the goodness of God and the people wanting to help.”