Community members convened on Saturday afternoon to honor those who have passed and to welcome new beginnings at Fender’s Farm in Washington County, Tenn.

The HNDS and FT organization hosted a day filled with worship services, music, farm activities, and opportunities to give back, almost a year after Hurricane Helene impacted the area significantly.

“HNDS and FT began on the day of the flood,” explained Sharee Percival, the organization’s co-founder. “We were at the high school when rescues were happening. We’ve been involved in reconstructions, demolitions, and providing emergency shelters with numerous campers. Our aim is to instill hope, helping everyone realize their resilience and the essence of community.”

In the recovery process, HNDS and FT played a significant role in the cleanup of Fender’s Farm, which experienced massive flooding, destroying three homes on the site.

“This site has been a focus for HNDS and FT as we’ve helped restore the business to enable its reopening,” stated Heather Newhart, the coordinator. “The flood impacted them heavily, and we saw this as an ideal opportunity to bring everyone together for a celebration of the months past.”

There was also a candle lighting ceremony for the lives lost in the floods.

Volunteers came to Fender’s Farm from across the country, both when the flood first hit and for the event.

Percival said that the support has been impactful in recovery efforts.

Newhart, a local herself, expressed, “It has deeply affected us. Words can’t fully capture what our community has gone through, but witnessing the ongoing support from across various states, both northern and western, has been amazing, and it’s been a privilege to collaborate with everyone involved.”

Newhart added that this event could not have been possible without the community.

“I would just say that it’s been amazing,” Newhart said. “This event really couldn’t have been pulled off without so many wonderful volunteers and sponsors that have come to help us. We’re just so grateful and thankful that everybody’s coming back together, just like they did when the flood first hit. They’re back here and they’re serving the community.”