David Burke embarked on a mission to serve 5,000 hurricane victims after witnessing widespread devastation across western North Carolina’s mountain communities.
“The suffering of our mountain neighbors demanded action,” said Burke, who lives seven hours away in Margarettsville. His background in competitive barbecue and community fundraising prepared him for this massive undertaking.
Nearly 200 volunteers joined Burke’s initiative, planning to prepare 100 turkeys and hams alongside traditional fixings. The team selected Newland as their primary location after learning about the town’s struggles following Hurricane Helene.
“They needed help. Government support fell short of expectations,” Burke said. The operation, dubbed Operation Thanksgiving Blessings, expanded beyond initial plans for 1,000 meals due to overwhelming community response.
Burke channeled all donations through Seaboard Lions Club to ensure transparency. “Every contribution directly supports storm victims,” he said, noting widespread support from various donors.
The initiative includes serving 500 veterans with Eastern-style barbecue in a separate event. “Bringing people together helps heal communities,” Burke said.
Local churches provided crucial backing for the massive undertaking. “Divine guidance assembled this team,” Burke said, crediting his faith for the project’s scope.
Burke hopes the feast creates lasting impact beyond Thanksgiving. “Taking minds off troubles, even briefly, makes this worthwhile,” he said.
The event marks two months since Helene struck the region. “One meal won’t fix everything, but it shows survivors they’re not forgotten,” Burke said.
