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Many East Tennessee residents who lost their residences to Hurricane Helene are seeing a ray of sunshine through assistance provided by a local foundation.

Mountain Ways, which was established in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires in Gatlinburg in 2016, distributed $5,000 checks to about 100 individuals and families Friday, Dec. 20, during a daylong event at Tusculum University. The recipients applied for the funds and received the money after meeting with Mountain Ways staff.

“We’ve had eyes popping open and big smiles because they did not know how much they were receiving, especially five days before Christmas,” said Lori Moore, the foundation’s executive director. “We wanted to be purposeful and get as many people in before Christmas as we could. Others are breaking down into tears. This fits a normal pattern of grief that people are experiencing. There is so much action when all of the immediate relief is coming in. Now, people are starting to settle into their new life.”

Prior to Friday’s event in Chalmers Conference Center of the Scott M. Niswonger Commons, Mountain Ways had distributed about $600,000 to people impacted by the hurricane.

Mountain Ways was founded as a way to give back after the tremendous outpouring of support Gatlinburg received. Gatlinburg natives Joe and Jessi Baker, highly successful business leaders in the region, provided financial support in the immediate wake of the fires and then formed the foundation to assist people affected by natural disasters and tragedies. One of the more prominent financial backers of the foundation is music legend, businesswoman and philanthropist Dolly Parton.

Those who qualify for assistance from Mountain Ways as a result of the hurricane have sustained a 100% loss of their primary residence. The foundation is supporting each one with a $5,000 check, which the recipient can use in any manner. The other piece of good news is the money from Mountain Ways does not preclude recipients from pursuing financial assistance from other organizations, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Because we are providing disaster relief, it is not counted toward anything FEMA or other organizations might give them,” Moore said. “In fact, we urge them to pursue additional avenues to help navigate this challenging period. We’ve been sending them to other resources and groups that are rebuilding houses and providing other forms of assistance. We’re trying to encourage them to get help from as many places as they can. They are dealing with a lot on top of losing their home.”

Mountain Ways worked with the Niswonger Foundation to find a place where the distribution could take place Friday. Dr. Nancy Dishner, the Niswonger Foundation’s president and CEO, said her organization was pleased to assist.

“It has been an honor for the Niswonger Foundation to assist Mountain Ways Foundation with this worthy cause,” Dr. Dishner said. “Mountain Ways is providing an incredible service to the region by supporting our friends and neighbors with these funds. People who have lost their houses to the hurricane have faced many challenges, and we are grateful they are receiving assistance.”

Likewise, Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, said the university was happy to be part of the distribution process by serving as host.

“Tusculum is thankful to work with the Niswonger Foundation and Mountain Ways Foundation to support our community and to help those most devastated by the hurricane and floods,” Dr. Hummel said. “We grieve for those who have experienced such life-altering devastation, but we are also proud of organizations such as Mountain Ways that have stepped forward to assist with such generosity. We remain impressed by how East Tennesseans have rallied around each other and have demonstrated such tangible kindness.”

Individuals and families from Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties can apply for assistance from Mountain Ways through Tuesday, Dec. 31. Renters and homeowners are eligible. To apply, please visit https://mtnways.org/get-relief/.