In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic sweep through Western North Carolina in September 2024, a remarkable story of human kindness and resilience has unfolded—one that embodies the timeless virtues of the Amish community. Thousands of Amish volunteers from Pennsylvania and beyond have descended upon devastated towns like Chimney Rock, Boone, Swannanoa, and Bat Cave, wielding hammers, saws, and an unwavering commitment to help their neighbors. Yet, this extraordinary display of selflessness, heart-felt faith, and craftsmanship has been met with deafening silence from the national media, a shameful oversight that obscures one of the most inspiring recovery efforts in recent memory.

The Amish are a people defined by their principles: humility, community, hard work, and a deep-seated faith that calls them to serve others without fanfare. When Hurricane Helene left Western North Carolina in ruins—homes flattened, businesses erased, and families displaced—the Amish saw not just a disaster, but a call to action. With no expectation of reward or recognition, they packed their tools, loaded their trailers, and traveled hundreds of miles to rebuild a region they had no personal ties to.

In Boone, 62 Amish volunteers from Central Pennsylvania arrived on December 17, 2024, and constructed 12 tiny homes in less than 48 hours, complete with kitchens and bathrooms, to shelter displaced families. They funded the $300,000 project themselves, bringing everything from lumber to propane tanks, and even donated tools and supplies to local first responders. Their efficiency was staggering—by the end of the first day, eight homes stood ready, a testament to their disciplined teamwork and mastery of traditional building techniques.

In Swannanoa, the “Cabins for Christ” initiative has seen 57 Amish volunteers rotate weekly, living in tents and relying on donations to build homes for flood victims. In Chimney Rock, over 2,000 Amish workers, coordinated through groups like Pennsylvania’s Great Needs Trust, have been laboring to restore a village reduced to rubble. Volunteers like Amos Stoltzfus speak of the joy in “watching people get their life back again,” while Bat Cave resident Kim Gill tearfully recounted how Amish workers fixed her roof in a single day after her insurance company abandoned her.

I went there during the disaster with my family … this is so SPECIAL https://t.co/YB15J5ew3D

— Max Papis (@maxpapis) April 24, 2025

These acts reflect the core virtues of the Amish: a rejection of self-interest, a commitment to manual labor, and a belief that helping others is a sacred duty. Unlike modern relief efforts often mired in red tape, the Amish move with speed and purpose. When a Pennsylvania resident saw the devastation in Boone, he rallied his community, contacted local coordinator Andy Owens, and within days, a rebuilding project was born.

A Media Blackout on a Story of Hope

Despite the scale of their contributions, the Amish’s efforts have been almost entirely ignored by national media outlets. Local outlets like High Country Press and WCNC have reported on specific projects, but the broader narrative—thousands of Amish volunteers transforming Western North Carolina—has failed to grab the attention of the established media. Social media users on X have voiced outrage over this omission, with

@FoggyMission decrying the “national media ignoring the story” and

@TheGrayRider praising the Amish for filling gaps left by “the ineptitude of FEMA.” Others, like

@laura_7771, have called it a “disgrace” that such a powerful story of human kindness remains untold.

The national media’s failure to cover the Amish’s work is a missed opportunity to highlight a story that could inspire a divided nation—a story of people coming together, not for clout or profit, but because it’s the right thing to do.

The oversight is particularly glaring when contrasted with the media’s fixation on the initial devastation of Hurricane Helene. While the destruction rightfully dominated headlines, the recovery phase—especially grassroots efforts like those of the Amish—has been relegated to the shadows.

The Amish’s work has not been without challenges. In November 2024, reports surfaced that Buncombe County officials were removing residents from Amish-built tiny homes, citing building code violations like inadequate plumbing or electricity. These prefabricated sheds, while offering immediate shelter, didn’t meet North Carolina’s strict regulations for temporary housing. The decision sparked backlash, with critics on X arguing that forcing families back into tents was callous, especially amid claims of a child’s death from hypothermia.

The Amish’s contributions, from tiny homes in Boone to restored roofs in Chimney Rock, are a lifeline for communities still struggling to stand.

The Amish are showing the world what it means to be a neighbor. It’s time the world noticed.