When Hurricane Helene blew into Asheville, North Carolina with hurricane-force winds in late September 2024, it devastated the community with record rainfall, severe flooding, and landslides. For the local Elderflower Care Community Center that had been working tirelessly to launch its new farm-based, multi-generational homestead on October 4, an ensuing mudslide closed the center and brought progress to a standstill.
“All our hopes and dreams were finally going to pay off, and then we were just left with so much grief,” recalls Elderflower Care Community Center Founder and Executive Director Annie Spindler. “Overnight, Elderflower was destroyed and under 10 feet of water. We suddenly had to pivot from reminding folks about our grand opening to sending alerts that our doors had closed indefinitely.”
Elderflower Care Community Center is an Asheville nonprofit established in 2022 that provides mental and physical support to dementia patients and their families, bringing joy and healing to those who need it most.
Annie and Elderflower’s staff assessed the damage in the aftermath and quickly realized they’d need significant help to rebuild. On what was supposed to be opening day, Annie launched a GoFundMe page to raise the estimated $150,000 needed to start over. That’s when Ellen Raffel Miller, Elderflower President of the Board, reached out to franchisee Brumit Restaurant Group (BRG) that owns and operates 64 Arby’s, including four in the Asheville area.
Daughter of Arby’s co-founder Forrest Raffel, Ellen is no stranger to the brand’s values. “Arby’s has always been an advocate for dreaming big and making a difference, and Elderflower provides meaningful programming that enriches lives, fosters friendships, and creates lasting memories. It seemed like a perfect fit.”
BRG agreed with Ellen’s vision, partnering with the Arby’s Foundation to donate the full $150,000 for Elderflower to reopen its doors. “Hurricane Helene caused so much heartbreak. When we heard about Elderflower, we knew we had an opportunity to make a difference,” shares Inspire Foundation Executive Director Stuart Brown.
After ten months of dedicated clean-up, replanting, and rebuilding, the Elderflower Care Community Center is now open – including a new homestead. “The outpouring of love we’ve received has been truly inspiring,” says Annie. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of so many, we’ve been able to gut, renovate our space, and begin again.”
The Inspire Foundation exists to ignite and nourish change for good. In 2024, Inspire’s brand foundations gave more than $23 million to support youth-related organizations, making a difference in the communities we serve. To learn more about the Inspire Foundation, visit foundation.inspirebrands.com.
