About High Country Hope
Our Mission
High Country Hope was founded by John Phillips in direct response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in the High Country of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee.
John brings a unique background to this work—spanning construction, heavy equipment operation, logistics, disaster response, nonprofit leadership, and ministry in 16 countries and 39 U.S. states.
The work began on September 27, 2024, in John’s own driveway in Boone, NC. From there, it extended to Rippling Water Lane, where John and his family began clearing and rescuing neighbors, then on to Payne Branch Road and beyond.
Since that catastrophic day, we’ve been on the ground six days a week for over 13 months, operating across 14 counties and 2 states, and welcoming volunteer teams from 7 states and counting.
What We Do
Our work is both broad and deeply personal. We’ve assisted with:
- Search and recovery
- Chainsaw work and debris clearing
- Mucking and cleaning flooded homes
- Rebuilding houses and roads
- Supplying furnishings, appliances, and tiny homes
- Providing fuel, generators, and propane
- Clearing landslides and rebuilding bridges
- Distributing supplies and food via ongoing supply runs
We’ve also secured temporary housing, placed campers for displaced families, and provided hands-on help for homeowners dealing with complex permit and legal issues.
Who We Partner With
To maximize our impact, we’ve partnered with numerous local and national relief organizations—including a strategic partnership with Samaritan’s Purse, headquartered here in Boone, NC.
Through generous donations, we’ve distributed over $125,000 in financial assistance directly to storm victims in the High Country and to partner organizations doing critical work.
How You Can Help
The need is still great. Our team is committed to continuing this work for the long haul—rebuilding lives, restoring hope, and standing alongside families who’ve lost so much.
We need your help.
Please consider joining us through volunteer work or by supporting High Country Hope financially.
Together, we can continue making a lasting impact in the High Country.