KEY WEST’S FRIENDS OF ASHEVILLE GROUP HELPS HURRICANE HELENE VICTIMS WITH JAN. 18 FUNDRAISER

a street that has been flooded with water
Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville, North Carolina on Sept. 27, 2024. BILL McMANNIS/Wikipedia

Key West and the Florida Keys are no strangers to hurricanes and the devastation they bring. The southernmost island chain breathed a sigh of relief following an uneventful storm season for South Florida. The same could not be said for those in western North Carolina, including Asheville, a place connected to Key West by the many residents who have homes, businesses and family in both places. 

Key West Friends of Asheville will hold a fundraiser to provide relief to those in western North Carolina on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Salute on the Beach and Higgs Beach. 

Key West Friends of Asheville is a group of individuals with connections to the Asheville area. All money raised will go directly to Thrive Asheville, a nonprofit dedicated to finding equitable solutions for the region’s most pressing problems.  

“Thrive Asheville brings together local community advocates, policymakers, and professionals from diverse fields and backgrounds to find equitable solutions to our city’s toughest challenges. We connect some of Asheville’s smartest problem-solvers with research and tools they may not have the budget or capacity to easily access on their own. Then we design the best community solutions together so that all in our city can thrive,” states the organization’s website at ThriveAVL.org.

Thrive Asheville and United Way are jointly leading the Long Term Recovery Group, which brings together over 100 members of nonprofit, faith-based, government and business organizations to directly help individuals and families recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

Tickets for the event are $50 and can be purchased at keystix.com or at the door the night of the event. The event will feature food from chef Dan Hatch and other Key West chefs, live music by local musicians, a silent auction featuring artwork by Martha dePoo, John Martini and more and raffles for an electric bike, a day trip to Havana, a weekend getaway and more. VIP tickets are available for $100 and include all of the above plus a limited-edition T-shirt and a chance to win a Hydro Thunder golf cart.Visit keystix.com for more information and to purchase tickets.