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The outpouring of love and community spirit I’ve seen as we recover from Tropical Storm Helene has been overwhelming, to say the least. As I’ve said before, we will get through this. We will come out of the other side stronger than before.

It is incredible how various organizations and businesses have pooled their resources to help others when help is needed most. The mobilization of outside entities—FEMA, Operation AirDrop, American Red Cross, and countless others—is inspirational.

I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank a few folks here. Without their help, the Tryon Daily Bulletin would not have been able to function and perform the vital task of getting out timely, accurate news each day. We did not miss a single edition or day of coverage, which is admirable in and of itself.

Ben Hillyer and Kevin Cooper, writers and organizers based out of Mississippi and Alabama, respectively, went above and beyond to help facilitate news each day and get information posted to our website. John Carr with the Salisbury Post went above and beyond as well, helping behind the scenes and organizing food, water, and fuel for the staff, and for the community, that was delivered to our facility. Thank you all for your help; it will not be forgotten.

Delaney Scalf and his team at the Elizabethton Star printed our newspaper while we were without electricity. Jamie Lewis, our pressman and “digital guru,” made the arduous drive to Elizabethton, Tenn., multiple times to retrieve print editions, joined by Alex Greene; all of these men were instrumental in getting the newspaper out. Team, I cannot thank you enough.

Our office manager, Stacey Tully, and marketing consultants Lynn Cromer and MJ Parsons worked tirelessly to help in any way they could, even staying late to hand out free water bottles and non-perishable food items at our front door. I am forever grateful to all of you.

Tania and Davey Shealey with Trade Street Diner, thank you so much for all of your help. Chef Sharone at Huckleberry’s Restaurant, thank you as well. Both of these businesses provided internet access at a pivotal time. It will not be forgotten.

A very special thanks goes out to Kathy and Danielle Moroney, who were kind enough to charge my phone on Tuesday morning in their vehicle, using up precious fuel in the process. Without them, building the paper would have been incredibly difficult, if not impossible.

I also want to thank the Tryon Fire Department, Columbus, Saluda, and Landrum Fire departments, and all local and regional emergency crews that have risked life and limb to do the most important work—saving lives. The hundreds of linemen who worked tirelessly to restore power to our area—as of Thursday, lights are on in downtown Tryon—deserve all of our gratitude. Thank you so much for all your hard work.

We’re all in this together. In times of crisis, the very best of humanity is often on full display. That is the case here and now, no doubt.

To all of our faithful readers, THANK YOU. Your support means the world to us. Know that we are here for you, filling in the vital role of providing information each and every day, which is needed now more than ever.

We will always have your back.