In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the University of North Carolina Asheville community has shown remarkable resilience, perseverance, and grit. To honor this strength and support those affected, we are excited to launch our apparel fundraiser, “The Maples Still Stand.” Normally, our community would soon be gathering to celebrate the Turning of the Maples, an event to recognize the beauty of our campus and the warmth of our community. The hurricane hit our area hard, with many downed trees, but we are pleased to report that our iconic maples weathered the storm. Our celebration will be different this year, with classes being postponed and many far away, but we want you all to know that with your support, just like the maples, we will weather this storm.

This initiative not only celebrates the iconic maples on our campus—symbols of endurance, change, and growth—but also serves as a reminder that, despite the challenges we face, our community stands strong together. 100% of proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly to UNC Asheville Disaster Relief efforts, providing crucial support to students, employees, and operations impacted by the hurricane. Your purchase will help ensure that our community receives the assistance needed to rebuild and thrive. Sales end Nov. 12th and will be shipped soon after. Thank you for your support!