Pennybyrn staff and residents set out to help with laundry at an Asheville senior living community, but they soon became aware of additional needs. (Photos provided) HIGH POINT — Pennybyrn Retirement Community has led several impactful relief efforts in response to Tropical Storm Helene. These activities included a community-wide drive for food, water and essentials as well as support for two senior living communities in western North Carolina: Brooks-Howell in Asheville and Fleshers Fairview Health & Retirement Center in Fairview. Pennybyrn’s residents and staff united to provide supplies, gift bags, laundry services and encouragement to those affected by the storm.
Immediately after the hurricane, the High Point retirement community and prayer center that was founded by the Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God launched a five-day drive. They collected water, food and other essentials from residents and staff that were delivered to western North Carolina during the first week after the storm.
Vonda Hollingsworth, vice president of Pennybyrn, learned of the immediate need for volunteers to help with laundry at Brooks-Howell, where skilled nursing residents needed clean linens and clothing. Hollingsworth organized a team of six Pennybyrn staff members to travel to Asheville and assist.
As the team prepared for the trip, they became aware of the difficult personal situations facing many of Brooks-Howell’s staff – some had lost homes, cars and loved ones – prompting Hollingsworth to expand the effort.
“We originally set out to assist with the laundry at Brooks-Howell, but as we learned more about the needs of their staff, our mission 
expanded,” she said. “How our healthcare residents, retirement living residents and staff came together to support this effort is truly heartwarming. Even those who couldn’t give financially found a way to help.”
On Oct. 14, the “Super Suds Squad” – comprised of Hollingsworth, Katie Lambeth, Shane Bunnell, Vanessa Blakeney, Sandra Loy and Francisco Sanchez – traveled to Asheville, where they worked through the night washing, drying and folding eight days’ worth of sheets, towels, and clothing for Brooks-Howell’s skilled nursing residents.
Pennybyrn’s skilled nursing residents, with the assistance of staff and independent living residents, packed gift bags for Brooks-Howell’s 75 staff members. They assembled bags containing snacks, drinks, hand sanitizer, tissues, handwritten notes and $50 Walmart gift cards. Pennybyrn’s residents and staff raised $15,550 in two days – far exceeding the original stretch goal of $3,800.
This overwhelming response allowed Pennybyrn to support a second senior living community. On Oct. 21, care packages were delivered to the 100 Fleshers Fairview Health & Retirement Center staff members in Fairview, one of the hardest-hit communities.
Spiritual sponsorship of the community of more than 450 residents is transitioning from the sisters to the Diocese of Charlotte in 2025, when the sisters will return to London.
— Pennybyrn