In the aftermath of the recent storm, the spirit of collaboration and resilience has been a beacon of hope across Western North Carolina. Communities, businesses, and individuals have come together to foster unity and resilience in the process of rebuilding. Among these inspiring efforts, S.O.S. Senior Oral-health Services offers just one example of this kind of dedication and service.

S.O.S. Senior Oral-health Services, a local business providing essential preventive oral health care to dependent elderly residents, faced immense challenges after Helene. Despite widespread power outages and limited access to clean water, their team remained steadfast in their mission, ensuring no senior under their care was left behind. At the heart of these efforts was oral care clinician Kristi Haynie, whose remarkable contributions embody the #WNCStrong spirit.

Haynie’s dedication to the senior community extends beyond her role as a clinician at S.O.S. Each week, she visits nursing facilities to provide essential preventive oral care services, fostering not only healthier smiles but also meaningful relationships with residents.

After the storm, Haynie rose to the occasion in extraordinary ways. Volunteering with Asheville Angels, she delivered critical supplies to homebound seniors who lacked access to necessities. In addition, she took on extra responsibilities, caring for residents in facilities when other clinicians were unable to reach the location. Her tireless efforts ensured even the most vulnerable members of the community received the care they needed during a time of great adversity.

The resilience of S.O.S. Senior Oral-health Services extended well beyond Haynie’s contributions. Other members of the leadership team also played vital roles in the recovery efforts. Pat Wagner and AnnMarie Miller joined Operation Blessing, dedicating their time to brush and tree cleanup in the Weaverville community with their families by their sides.

Meanwhile, Diana Moiseyev and her husband Yuriy opened their vacation rental at no charge to traveling volunteers. Their generosity provided a crucial space for rest and recovery for those offering relief efforts to the community. The Moiseyevs also volunteered with Baptists on Mission disaster relief in Old Fort, further demonstrating their commitment to rebuilding the region.

The collective actions of the S.O.S. team illustrates how businesses can adapt and collaborate during times of crisis. Despite logistical and staffing challenges, the organization found innovative ways to deliver essential services. Their compassion and determination underscored the power of teamwork and the importance of community connections in recovery.

For the S.O.S. team, balancing their professional responsibilities with broader recovery efforts was no small task, yet they found a renewed sense of purpose through this dual commitment. 

“Being there for our seniors when they needed us most wasn’t just our job — it was our way of giving back to the community that supports us,” Miller said.

The story of S.O.S. Senior Oral-health Services serves as a reminder that recovery is not an individual endeavor but a collective one. The strength of Western North Carolina lies in its people: businesses, individuals, and organizations coming together to rebuild and support one another.

Let the inspiring example set by Kristi Haynie and the S.O.S. team encourage us all to find ways to contribute to our #WNCStrong community.