Former UNC women’s basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell is known for her grit, leadership, and ability to uplift those around her. Today, she is using those same qualities off the court as she leads a heartfelt community effort to restore her beloved charity blueberry patch—an effort fueled by resilience, purpose, and hope after the devastation left by Hurricane Helene.
In September 2024, Helene tore through Western North Carolina, reshaping landscapes, damaging homes, and leaving families to pick up the pieces of a community forever changed. Fairview, where Hatchell lives, was among the hardest hit. Flooding, debris, and mudslides left once-lush areas unrecognizable, and Hatchell’s well-known “you-pick” blueberry patch—where visitors over the years donated thousands of dollars to the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center—was nearly wiped out.
More than 300 blueberry bushes were destroyed. The land itself was left covered in debris and contamination. Yet in the middle of destruction, Hatchell chose action.
Over the past year, she has spent her time helping neighbors recover and regain stability. She loaned her personal equipment to the local fire department, assisted community members with cleanup, and reached out to state and federal officials on behalf of the region. But even as she advocated for others, she ran into obstacles of her own.
Hatchell applied to FEMA for assistance to help repair the extensive damage to her property—only to be denied. “The reason why I’ve been turned down by FEMA is that it’s not my primary residence,” Hatchell explained. She noted that she had already spent $40,000 out of pocket clearing debris and dealing with contaminants left by Helene’s destruction. She admitted feeling frustrated and even embarrassed that more help wasn’t coming for the people of Western North Carolina.
“I wrote all of them letters because I was really actually embarrassed that the state of North Carolina – which I was born and raised in and I love – was not doing more for the people of western North Carolina,” she said.
Still, setbacks haven’t slowed her determination. If anything, they’ve reinforced her mission: to bring the community back together and help rebuild not only property but spirit.
That mission comes to life in her latest effort—Plant a Blueberry Bush Day, happening this Saturday. The event aims to replace the 300 blueberry bushes lost, restore the land, and revive a tradition that has long connected people through generosity, simple joy, and a shared desire to support cancer research.
Hatchell is inviting volunteers from across the region to come out, get their hands in the dirt, and help plant new bushes. Those unable to attend in person can sponsor a bush for $25. Every plant represents new growth, renewed hope, and the continuation of the patch’s charitable legacy.
For Hatchell, this isn’t simply about replacing bushes. It’s about reclaiming normalcy—something precious and deeply missed in the wake of the storm. “I just want things to feel normal again,” she said. Rebuilding the patch is one step toward that goal.
But Plant a Blueberry Bush Day is becoming something even bigger: a symbol of resilience. It’s a reminder of what communities can accomplish when they come together. And it’s a testament to how healing often begins with small acts of restoration—one bush, one shovel of soil, one neighbor helping another.
Helene’s impact—both the devastation and the strength that followed—is also examined in the WRAL documentary “Helene: What We Lost, What We Found.” The documentary takes viewers inside the communities most severely affected, showing both the heartbreaking destruction and the remarkable determination of survivors. It highlights what people discovered in themselves and in each other as they began rebuilding homes, farms, and entire neighborhoods.
That resilience is embodied in events like Hatchell’s planting day. Though her blueberry patch has long been a place where families come to enjoy a simple outing and support cancer research, it now represents something deeper. It stands for recovery. It stands for community. It stands for the belief that rebuilding is possible—even after the darkest storms.
And this rebuilding effort is personal for many. For some, it’s a way to reclaim a cherished gathering spot. For others, it’s a chance to give back after months of relying on the kindness of neighbors. For still others, it’s an opportunity to look forward—toward a season of growth and healing.
As the people of Western North Carolina continue navigating the long process of recovery, events like Plant a Blueberry Bush Day offer not only physical restoration but emotional renewal. Each bush planted is a gesture of faith in the future.
Sylvia Hatchell is extending an open invitation to anyone who wants to be part of that future. Whether through volunteering, sponsoring a bush, or simply sharing the story, the community can help turn a patch of devastated land back into a thriving symbol of generosity and hope.
This Saturday, the work begins—one plant at a time, one person at a time, rebuilding what was lost and celebrating what was found.
