December 24, 2024 | Read Online

In the spirit of Christmas

Please remember our neighbors in WNC

In partnership with

Merry Christmas Launch Key 🚀 community!

We end the year with faith, family and friends and this week's message is simple: gratitude.

In business and in life, we have a lot to be thankful for. It's natural to have some reflection during the holidays. We win some. We lose some. We gain people. We miss people.

Grateful for it all.

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Comment below and let me know if we're on the right track.

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We end the year in a new house in a new town, but a plan for 3 boys, a new daughter-in-law, 1 significant other plus an additional dog – all under my roof for a few days. Family is the tie that binds.

And I couldn't be more grateful.

I hope you find yourself in the same condition.

Sadly, many in western North Carolina are still struggling for that normalcy. In October, I wrote a piece about the lack of accountability around Hurricane Helene natural disaster relief. I wasn't wrong.

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That story should still be on the front pages.

People are living in tents. Cadaver dogs are still on the ground. Lives are in turmoil. Please keep these people in your prayers this holiday season. They are expecting snow in the higher elevations.

But the heart of America has illuminated via volunteer efforts. Neighbors helping neighbors.

And X has let them tell on-the-ground stories not being covered anywhere else. Two excellent examples are Shawn Hendrix - delivering donations and RV trailers for homeless NC citizens, and Matt Van Swol - an Asheville entrepreneur who has dedicated his posts to pointing out regulatory hurdles slowing recovery.

Another is Jason Ward. He's a native in the heart of one of the most hard-hit areas - Swannanoa - and has been gathering supplies and recording videos since the water receded. He just posted a thankful Christmas message.

I spent a day volunteering with Samaritans Purse in late October. My eyes were opened to just how devastating the damage was in the small town of Newland. I wrote about my experience in this Linkedin post and have since heard from a number of Launch Key subscribers who volunteered as well. Our help will be needed for years.

Samartians Purse may be the best place to donate both your gifts and your time. Based in Boone, they've been on the ground since day 1. And a spokesman says the average age of their volunteers is 68.

You're not too old. Use your grateful heart to help our fellow citizens.

"Peace and goodwill toward men."

Now go launch something 🚀

❝

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

Authur Ashe

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