Resilience in Action: Ashley Galleher, Zionville Ramp Company and the State Line Resource Center
ISTORY BY HARLEY NEFE
n the wake of Hurricane Helene, the High Country faced unimaginable challenges. Lives were upended, homes destroyed, and landscapes that once inspired awe became unrecognizable. Yet even in the midst of such devastation, stories of hope and resilience emerged—stories embodied by people like Ashley Galleher and the work being done through the Zionville Ramp Company (ZRC) and the State Line Resource Center (SLRC).
Galleher has become a symbol of determination and selflessness for many. Her commitment to her community shines in her tireless efforts to support neighbors in need. Her words reflect the exhaustion, heartache, and unyielding resolve felt by those on the frontlines:
“There are many moments when I feel like I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel with a toothpick. It’s been 45 days since a hurricane ravaged my community, the homes of my friends and neighbors, our beautiful mountain landscape, and many of our small businesses, and the local economy. Much of the nation has moved on from this once-in-a-lifetime disaster, but we haven’t
forgotten. We’re still here, and we’re not giving up.”
Before Hurricane Helene, Zionville Ramp Company was a hub for the skateboarding community, offering lessons, a welcoming space for skaters to practice, and an opportunity to connect with others who shared their passion. The building resonated with the clatter of skateboard wheels and the energy of young and old skaters alike, making it a cornerstone of community recreation and creativity.
After the storm, the skatepark underwent a transformation. It pivoted from being a space for skating to a base of operations for disaster relief, offering resources and support to a community in crisis by clearing debris and helping families regain access to their properties.
Ashley shared a heartwarming story about a team of volunteers from Nebraska who arrived ready to help.
“When all of this seems like a steep uphill climb in the same mud that still surrounds our mountain home some good ole cornand-steak-fed Nebraska boys show up to work their hearts out for an entire week,” she recalled. “They said to me, ‘We wanted to wait until things had settled a bit, and we could be of the most help, but we didn’t forget about y’all.’”
Ashley further described, “They mucked out a garage and an outbuilding, tackled tree work, built a footbridge, and did
Zionville Ramp Company on a typical day compared to Zionville Ramp Company as they respond to the community’s needs. Photos submitted.
property cleanup. An 80-year-old veteran worked alongside them all day. Days like this restore my soul and make me burst with pride. They remind me why we do this.”
State Line Resource Center: A Lifeline for Two States
At the intersection of North Carolina and Tennessee, the State Line Resource Center emerged as a critical hub for relief efforts. It has been a vital resource for disaster relief, supporting communities on both sides of the state line.
Trade, a small, unincorporated town, has always been a crossroads—a link between communities in western Watauga County, North Carolina, and Johnson County, Tennessee. But the hurricane turned Trade into an isolated enclave. Flooded roads, landslides, and washedout bridges severed connections, leaving residents feeling stranded.
Ashley described the early days after the hurricane as chaotic and uncertain.
“People would hear about open routes, try to go that way, and find out the road was washed out. Communication was by word of mouth because cell service and the internet were down. It was chaos,” she said.
Despite these challenges, the State Line Resource Center managed to organize a remarkable effort to distribute emergency supplies such as food, water, clothing, and tools. Volunteers worked tirelessly, often coordinating deliveries and pickups through improvised networks of information.
As the immediate crisis subsided, the focus of the resource center shifted. The team began addressing long-term needs, such as monetary donations, heaters, generators, and skilled labor to rebuild homes.
“Our team is working hard to communicate what’s really needed. It’s not just about dropping off supplies anymore. It’s about rebuilding lives,” Ashley explained.
Navigating Challenges
The road to recovery has not been without obstacles. Miscommunication about available routes created confusion. Rumors, such as claims that FEMA was confiscating supplies, sowed distrust. And while FEMA provided support, Ashley noted that the response in Tennessee lagged behind North Carolina.
"People may not have fully grasped the extent of the damage because much of it occurred in the hollows of Tennessee," she said. "These are small, remote areas that are harder to reach and less visible."
Additionally, the emotional toll has also been significant. The daily grind of coordinating relief efforts, coupled with the devastation seen across the region, has weighed heavily on Ashley and her team. Still, they press
We’re not quitting or closing up shop. We won’t stop helping people, and we won’t give up on our community no matter how hard it gets. Every day, we wake up and remind ourselves how good it feels to work together.
- ASHLEY GALLEHER
A much-needed rest for some of the many volunteers who showed up to love their community at State Line Resource Center. Photos submitted.
on, driven by the understanding that their work is making a difference.
Despite the obstacles, the High Country has shown incredible resilience. Every act of kindness—whether it’s a neighbor sharing supplies, a business donating materials, or volunteers spending long hours clearing debris—has helped lift the community.
Families who received aid in the early days of the crisis have returned to volunteer, helping others in need. Local businesses have opened their doors to relief efforts, providing space and resources. Even those from outside the region have stepped up, like the Nebraska team whose hard work left a lasting impact.
Ashley’s words capture the spirit of this collective effort:
“We’re not quitting or closing up shop. We won’t stop helping people, and we won’t give up on our community no matter how hard it gets. Every day, we wake up and remind ourselves how good it feels to work together.”
Moving Forward
One of the most pressing challenges is the approaching winter. Many homes remain uninhabitable, and residents are struggling to
Volunteers with the Stateline Resource Center building a walkway for members of the community. Photo submitted.
stay warm as temperatures drop. Ashley has been vocal about the need for continued support.
“Winter is coming, and many people still have unsuitable or heavily damaged homes—or no homes at all. We need heaters, warm clothing, and volunteer labor to make sure people are safe,” she said.
We’ll keep climbing this mountain together. We’re not giving up. And we’ll come out stronger on the other side.
- ASHLEY GALLEHER
The recovery from Hurricane Helene is far from over. Rebuilding homes, repairing roads, and restoring the local economy will take months, if not years. But the work being done by Ashley, the Zionville Ramp Company, and the State Line Resource Center offers a beacon of hope.
For those who want to support the ongoing efforts, there are many ways to help. Donations—whether monetary, in the form of gift cards, or through volunteer labor—are still urgently needed.
The Brittany Robinson Memorial Grant, named for a Watauga County farmer who tragically lost her life in the storm, has also been established to provide additional support to those in need.
As Ashley reminds everyone, the recovery is about more than providing aid—it’s about restoring hope and rebuilding a sense of community.
“We’ll keep climbing this mountain together. We’re not giving up. And we’ll come out stronger on the other side.”
This is the story of resilience in action, a testament to the power of community and the strength of the human spirit. The High Country’s recovery journey is long, but its people are determined to rise again. And thanks to leaders like Ashley Galleher and organizations like ZRC and SLRC, they’re doing just that—one day, one act of kindness at a time. t
Whether putting up signs or unloading food, every volunteer had a smile on their face at Stateline Resource Center. Photo submitted.
