Sharing Our Mission on National and Local Television

The story of transformation often begins with tragedy. For Echoes of the Forest, that transformation started with Hurricane Helene's devastating sweep through Western North Carolina, leaving tens of thousands of trees fallen in its wake. What began as heartbreak has blossomed into hope, healing, and a powerful testament to community resilience—a story now gaining national attention.

This week, Echoes of the Forest had the incredible opportunity to share its mission with audiences across the country and region through appearances on FOX Weather's national streaming platform and Fox Carolina's local news coverage.

These features spotlight not just our nonprofit's work, but the profound impact of turning tragedy into triumph.

More Than Art: A Community Healing Journey

The media coverage beautifully captured what makes Echoes of the Forest special—it's not just about creating beautiful pieces from fallen trees. As Liisa explained to Fox Carolina, "What's really happened is it's opened up stories. When people hear about what we're doing, they tell their story, so it's almost like therapy."

The therapeutic power of this work resonates deeply with the craftsmen involved. Take Kwadwo Som-Pimpong of Crafted Glory, whose wife was about to give birth when Helene struck. "We got blocked in our neighborhood, trees were all along the road and we couldn't get out," he shared with Fox Carolina. "The neighbors banded together, cut a path for all of us to get out, and we were able to get to the hospital, and our son was born just four days after Helene."

For Kwadwo, working with Echoes means more than craftsmanship—"getting this opportunity to create a piece of art, to interpret my Helene experience, is really meaningful to me."

Rising from the Flood: Stories of Resilience

The FOX Weather and Fox Carolina coverage also highlighted the remarkable resilience of Asheville's creative community. Mark Oliver, co-owner of Foundation Woodworks in the River Arts District, saw his shared woodshop and gallery space heavily damaged by Helene's floodwaters. When Liisa reached out about contributing to Echoes, "I was just excited to make something positive out of this."

Bryan Kerr, another craftsman who lost his rented studio space at Foundation Woodworks, found deeper meaning in the project: "If I can use a piece of wood from a tree that had fallen during the storm, it makes it feel like there was a higher purpose for that tree to come down, and it can live on."

National Recognition for Local Impact

Having our story featured on FOX Weather's national streaming platform brings important visibility to Western North Carolina's ongoing recovery efforts and the innovative ways communities are healing. The local Fox Carolina coverage provides intimate details about the personal journeys behind each piece of art, showing how creativity can emerge from catastrophe.

These media appearances represent more than publicity—they're validation that our approach to community healing resonates far beyond our mountain region. They demonstrate that transformation, resilience, and hope are universal themes that speak to people everywhere.

Join the Echoes Mission

Whether you're a woodworker, artist, community member, or someone touched by our story through these media features, there are ways to become part of the Echoes of the Forest mission. Every piece created, every story shared, and every act of support helps ensure that the trees lost in Hurricane Helene continue to serve their community in beautiful, meaningful ways.