Chimney Rock & Lake Lure

Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach will be accepting monetary donations to help aid the victims of Hurricane Helene with food and support for rebuilding.

Our mission is to help eliminate hunger and provide emergency services with love and compassion to those in need. All programs and activities are solely supported by our volunteers and generous donors.

Please click the check box:

Outreach Services (rent, medical bills, other expenses) 

 When Matt & Michelle Banz opened RiverWatch Grill opened in 1998, they didn’t know the everlasting impact it would have on our community. For decades, RiverWatch has been a sanctuary on the Rocky Broad River, where friends, family, and visitors from near and far gather to create memories, enjoy a meal, and take in the beauty of Chimney Rock. 

 Though our beloved RiverWatch is still standing, it is deeply wounded and in desperate need of help to recover.

While we’re grateful the building remains, the damage is overwhelming, and we are asking for your help with funds for building repairs, replacing vital equipment, and supporting our RiverWatch family.

  The O’Learys, are a cherished, hardworking family that runs Bubba O’Learys, a well-loved and known general store in Chimney Rock, NC, for decades. Chimney Rock has been destroyed. Their store is gone, their home also likely gone as it was across the street, but they are not able to even access it to know at this point. The family is safe. The roads are all destroyed.

Please consider donating anything to help this sweet family get back on their feet. The store was both of their careers and family legacy. All their kids and grandkids have grown up there.

All donations will go directly to the O’Learys and Bubbas.

 Rob and Robin Jones own the Riverside Event Center in Lake Lure. They helped many couples have the wedding of their dreams in their beautiful venue.

Hurricane Helene came through and completely destroyed their venue. Insurance won’t cover the building or the refunds for the couples already demanding their money back. Rob and Robin have put their hearts and souls into this business and are devastated that they won’t be able to continue.

The funds collected will go to the couples whose weddings have been cancelled and have already paid as well as the building’s expenses. Rob and Robin are still trying to help the couples by finding other venues to hold the weddings.

I am starting this GoFundMe for my parents to assist them through this difficult time.

We have experienced unprecedented devastation throughout the Hickory Nut Gorge in Western North Carolina as a result of Hurricane Helene. The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge has sustained much structural damage. The west end gardens are entirely gone, and the Rocky Broad River is flowing through this area. The Education Center, Informational Kiosk and Atrium in this area are still standing. Initial assessments are much damage to the east end of the gardens.

At this time, we do not know what is ahead for us as we are focused on making sure our community and citizens are safe. We are grateful for the outpouring of support we are receiving. We have had many inquiries and requests regarding donating money to the Flowering Bridge and hope to rebuild.

  My name is Vinny Sottile, and my mother April and I own April’s Boutique and Under the Rock in Chimney Rock Village. We were very fortunate for one of our businesses to be free of damage, but we can’t say the same for the other.

We would greatly appreciate any donations you would like to provide at this time. I believe there is about a foot of mud still in Under the Rock, and everything from the floor to two feet up is unsalvageable. That being said, we fared much better than some of our friends who lost everything. For that, we are thankful and humbled.

100% of the donations you provide will be going to the cleanup efforts of not only Under the Rock, but wherever else we are able to provide aid to in the village. The saying “it takes a village” can apply to many situations, and this is definitely one of them. We will rebuild, and we will rebuild better than it was before. #ChimneyRockStrong

 We all love Lake Lure and Chimney Rock and agreed to gather at the historic Broad River Inn for the weekend where we were introduced to the world’s most amazing and gracious innkeepers, Nick and Kristen Sottile.

We had the time of our lives just playing miniature golf, ribbing one another, talking about the past year’s ups and downs. We finally were able to take the time to breathe, to enjoy the fellowship and friendship, and to take in the beautiful surroundings of this painstakingly restored inn and the serenity of the river beside it.

We vowed to return every year, and it’s become a tradition we all look forward to. Nick and Kristen have basically become part of our group and we have extended our silly antics and laughter to include them

Y’all… it’s time to extend the same hospitality extended to us. They’re hurting right now. Everything they’ve worked toward has been devastated in Helene’s aftermath. The community is washed away and there will be a long painful road ahead. 

  Hurricane Helene caused major flooding, landslides, and devastation in Chimney Rock Village, NC, resulting in major losses of the town's infrastructure. Your donations will go directly to Chimney Rock Village to support rebuilding efforts. We appreciate your support now and in the upcoming months.  

   We're asking your help to support our staff. Fae Nectar has always been a scrappy company flying by the seat of its pants. All of our money has gone into the business during the past 4 years, so there is very little left to hand out at this point. If you've been to Fae Nectar, you know exactly how amazing each staff member is! 100% of donations received will be distributed to the staff, listed below.

Thank you all so much for helping bring community and merriment to our beloved establishment.

Ray - Bartender

Amanda - Bartender

Starla - Bartender

Keith - Bartender

Somber - Bartender

Natalie - Bartender

Nea - Bartender

Noelle - Head Brewer

Samson - Barback

Asa - Social Media & Events

Sprig - Illustrator

Brad - Cook

Logan - Bartender

Victoria - Bartender

Christian - Cook

Morgan - Kitchen

Moxie - Bartender & HR

Cap'n Moss - Pirate Emcee

Craig - House Sea Shanty Band

Kristina - House Sea Shanty Band

Kelly - Decorator & Weddings

Our community is facing a devastating loss with the recent flood that destroyed Chimney Rock, including the beloved @the_highlands_kitchen_bar , (as seen in the photos) stands no longer. This was more than just a restaurant; it was a gathering place for friends and family.

@megs_h_v and her dedicated staff are in urgent need of support as they navigate this challenging time. Any contribution can to help them rebuild and recover. As of October 4th, all proceeds will go towards the open of the sister restaurant to get our town employees job placements. Every donation counts and will make a huge difference.

Ways to donate at the moment ✨

VENMO : Highlands-KitchenBar

My name is Tiffany Speare, and my family owns The Carter Lodge in Chimney Rock, NC. As many of you have already heard, the town of Chimney Rock has been completely destroyed from hurricane Helene. Those of you that know us, know that we are a family-owned lodge in the heart of Chimney Rock, NC. Many of you have met myself, my uncle Derek Hennessey, my husband Allen, and our 2 little girls Cambria and Izabella, and know that the lodge was our home.

We witnessed entire homes being carried away and swallowed up by raging 40ft waters.

Many of these homes still had people in them, and all we could do was pray. Our Main Street Deli was ripped from the lodge and taken by the river right in front of our very eyes. When more of the lodge from that point was being torn apart and washed away, we decided we had no choice but to leave. With nowhere to go our family and guests rushed to our vehicles in attempt to reach the highest point in Chimney Rock possible.

We are now humbly asking for your help as we take on the responsibility of rebuilding our town and rebuilding our lives while helping others do the same. Just know that we are a real family here in Chimney Rock, NC who called The Carter Lodge home.

 My Uncle Bruce and his wife Becca have lost everything.

If you’ve ever been to Chimney Rock, you know it’s a charming and quaint little town nestled beneath the iconic state park of the same name. To the right of the classic Old Rock Café stood Coffee on the Rocks; my family’s shop, where you could stop in for a delicious latte, dress up for an Old Time Photo, or both! What many didn’t know, however, is that my Uncle’s home was there too. 

We are blessed that Bruce and Becca made it out alive and managed to evacuate to the firehouse a bit further up the hill. However, everything else was swept away. Coffee on the Rocks is gone. Their home is gone. Everything they own is gone.

I am establishing this campaign to help my family rebuild their life. Our $5,000 goal will aid in replacing the necessities they’ve lost: clothing, food, hygiene products, household essentials, and more.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your consideration, help, and prayers.