Summer Baruth’s Post

Starting the week with a heart full of gratitude. Make this week count. 💖✨

Had the most fun on LinkedIn this weekend thanks to my friend Celinda Appleby’s post about a great prompt she found on X. Ask ChatGPT: From all our interactions what is one thing you can tell me about myself that I don't know about myself? Everyone’s responses were so spot on. I asked ChatGPT the same question, and wow, I feel so seen.🥹🥰 What do you think? I would love to see yours! Drop them in the comments.

Have power? Thank a lineman! In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, linemen, power, and tree crews have left their families to help across the Southeast, specifically in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Crews have come from all over the United States and Canada, as far as the Pacific Northwest, Calgary, Alaska, across to Nova Scotia, and everywhere in between. These workers are risking their lives, hiking into devastated areas, rebuilding entire power grids, with no idea when they will return home. What’s been incredible to witness is the way our communities have shown their gratitude—offering warm meals, opening homes for beds and showers, and even doing laundry. There are Facebook groups full of thousands of offers of support, food and community. Folks just so thankful for their help. Some without power themselves are still stepping up to support these everyday heroes however they can. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. Thank you to the crews from Duke Energy Corporation, Gagnon Line Construction Holland Power Services Hydro Québec Chugach Electric Association Midwest Energy, Inc. Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC and the countless others for your dedication and sacrifice. We see you and we are so thankful. #Helene #Milton #ThankALineman #EssentialWorkers #HurricaneRecovery

Today, my youngest, Rhyan, turns 18. From day one, she’s been an old soul with a hippie heart of gold and a love for only the BEST music. From the day she was born, she’d wave her hands like she was conducting her own symphony—I knew then she had a beat to share with the world. 🎶 As she hits this milestone birthday, I find myself reflecting on the life lessons we’ve shared with each other. I hope I’ve shown her that she can be anything she wants to be, that she can face the world with kindness but also with strength, and above all, to always trust herself. Rhyan has taught me just as much—about life, people, and the beauty of seeing things from a different perspective. Watching her grow has been a masterclass in resilience and authenticity. She reminds me daily that the best soundtrack to life comes from the soul. ✨ To my girl—happy 18th. The world is yours to explore, and I’ll always be cheering you on.💖 🎉What’s one thing you wish someone had told you at 18? Gift your wisdom to Rhyan in the comments below. ⬇️

Because we could all use a little extra kindness right now. ♥️ #Helene #NCStrong #Milton #Florida #WNC #ChooseKindness

**Trigger warning: This is going to be a hard one to read. Death, Helene** For those who know me, you know I’m often the one spreading positivity and light wherever I go. It’s part of who I am and how I choose to move through the world. But today, I’m writing from a different place – one of heartbreak, devastation, and a heaviness I’m struggling to put into words. Western North Carolina, a place I hold dear to my heart, is experiencing unimaginable loss. Forget the loss of homes and power for a moment. People are dying. You know it is bad when our group's greater supply need today is for body bags. The reality is children are being rescued from the mountains with no parents or adults in sight. We have one small church currently caring for 200 orphaned children and that is just from one small community. While alarming, the numbers being shared in the media don’t tell the full story because we can’t reach many of those who desperately need help, let alone understand the extent of the devastation. Death counts aren't accurate at this point as there has to be time for identification and notification before they are included. And the focus is on search so there has been no time for that. From the outside, what you see and hear about Western North Carolina may seem like just a town or a space, but it’s 15-plus counties with a million and a half or more people. Many of these people live in small communities – more like villages than towns – nestled in valleys that are still dealing with mudslides and infrastructure issues today. So, while the storms may have receded, the destruction continues. The people who are making a difference right now? They’re not on the news. They are friends, family, volunteers, churches – everyday people driving in from all over the East to do well checks, provide supplies, get people to families, and reunite them with their loved ones. Ex-military and private SAR teams donating their services and providing helicopters, trucks, and small aircraft. There are young moms leading the charge in donations, logistics, opening their homes, and using their networks and social influence. They are getting people on the ground, finding survivors and those in desperate need of care. This is hard to process. It’s soul-crushing what has happened. And yet, in the midst of all this, life goes on. I find myself living in this dual space – thankful for all the good, the light, and the love being shown by others but broken for what’s happening just a short drive from where I sit. We need to talk about this, support each other, be aware of what’s really going on, and not turn away because the reality is too hard to face. Please keep the people of Western North Carolina in your thoughts and find a way to help if you can. This is far from over. Hell or high water, we will rise. ❤️ #WesternNC #HeleneRelief #FindYourPeople #BurnsvilleNC #Marshall #GreenMountainNC #LookForTheHelpers

“We're doing this because that’s what we do in Appalachia—we help each other. But, it’s more than we can do on our own.” ~Rachel Shepherd

The devastation from Hurricane Helene didn’t stop at the coast. My heart is heavy thinking about the beautiful mountain towns of Western North Carolina, where I’ve grown up living in and visiting over the years. Now, these same places are being ravaged by floods, with entire communities swept away as our rivers and dams simply couldn’t handle the rain. So far, 52 people have lost their lives across five states, and sadly, that number keeps rising The pictures and stories are hard to believe—homes, businesses, and roads are destroyed. Historical main streets and beautiful mountain towns are now scenes of devastation. Right now, the need for help is overwhelming. Recovery won’t be quick or easy, but we can unite to support these communities we love. Here’s just a glimpse of what people are facing: • Families still searching for loved ones • Elderly residents stranded without access to care • Parents struggling to provide food and water for their children • Entire towns cut off with no power, water, or communication • Homes and businesses turned to debris, and roads washed away Here are a few ways to make an impact: 1. Donate: Samaritans Purse and the Red Cross are on the ground, helping with relief efforts. Your donations can provide vital supplies and support. 2. Volunteer: If you’re nearby, consider helping out at shelters or with clean-up efforts. 3. Send Supplies: Non-perishable food, bottled water, hygiene items, and everyday essentials are desperately needed. 4. Spread the Word: Share this message and resources to amplify these communities' needs. Our mountain communities are strong and resilient, but they need all the help they can get right now. No one was prepared for this. If you feel led, please consider a donation to one of the organizations listed. https://lnkd.in/eV-gxrdg #NCStrong #WesternNC #HurricaneHelene #FloodRelief