Western North Carolina. September 27, 2024, to present.
It’s as if every decision and every experience up until now has led Dr. Anna Quinn Harrelson ’00 here … and now.
“When Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, the devastation was unimaginable. Roads were washed out. Power, water and cellular service were lost for weeks, and entire neighborhoods were displaced. People were left struggling to meet their basic needs: food, water, shelter and safety,” says Harrelson, who did what she always does, using the resources at her disposal to make a difference.
Because of her background, Harrelson was primed to act quickly after the hurricane devastated Asheville, N.C. At Wofford, Harrelson led the Twin Towers volunteer service organization. She was a member of APO service fraternity and Campus Union. She earned a master’s degree in public health then became a physician. Harrelson is now a hospitalist with UNC Health in Hendersonville and has a private family medicine practice. She’s connected with a mission-focused church within walking distance of her home. She co-owns a consignment business (Grateful Village) that supports Western North Carolina, and she and her children founded and run Chances for Children Carolinas, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that removes barriers for children in the Carolinas who want to participate in extracurricular activities but can’t because of a lack of resources.
When the rain and wind stopped, Harrelson and her family and friends went into triage mode, assessing then adapting.
“Our team at Chances for Children Carolinas immediately stepped in to help people meet basic needs by providing clean water, hot meals and essential supplies,” says Harrelson. “We partnered with our local church to create a distribution hub for disaster-relief services, with the kids running the food line, loading and unloading supplies, and offering a sense of connection to those feeling isolated.”
In 2000, Harrelson participated in the college’s Presidential Seminar, led by Dr. Joe Lesesne, who was retiring, and Dr. Bernie Dunlap, who was starting his tenure as president.
“In that seminar I first learned of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Until someone’s basic needs are met, they can’t move toward self-actualization. The idea stuck with me and helped shape the way I see service,” says Harrelson. “As a Wofford alumna, I’ve always carried the lessons of community service and compassion with me, and now, I see those values playing a crucial role in helping stabilize our community after this unimaginable disaster.”
Family, friends and others in the community have joined the grassroots effort to tend and begin the long process of rebuilding.
“What amazes me most is how the kids — Laura Cooper, Mary-Hudson and Skyler — have grown into this work,” says Harrelson. “They were raised by a village of helpers and givers and are eager to engage with others. It makes me so grateful. It’s a legacy I hope they will carry forward.”
Right now, Chances for Children Carolinas (chancesforchildrencarolinas.com) has partnered with Grateful Village (gratefulvillage.com) and is completely dedicated to hurricane relief, with the focus being on providing food, shelter and basic needs.
“If anyone in the Wofford community is looking for a way to help, I would love for them to consider donating to Chances for Children Carolinas,” says Harrelson.
“We’ve learned that in times of disaster, anything is everything. Every small contribution counts, and our community will need support long after the news cycle has moved on.”