Leigh Raymer founded the Thermal Ridge Vegetable Stand in Columbus, North Carolina, as a way to teach her 9-year-old son math through real-life business experience. What began as a modest but successful venture quickly transformed into something far more impactful in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

After witnessing the devastation caused by the massive 2024 storm, Leigh decided to pivot her vegetable stand into a community relief hub. “Trucks started arriving, looking for places to offload donations, so we just started accepting and distributing them,” she recalls. What began as a simple response to an immediate need soon snowballed into a full-scale operation.

As the donations flooded in, Leigh’s vision expanded, and she applied for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for what she now calls Thermal HUGS—short for Humans United in Giving Support. The organization quickly became a central supply point for hurricane victims. Leigh’s farm stand outside of Asheville became a beacon of hope for those in need, turning over nearly $2,000 worth of supplies daily—everything from boxed milk, bread, and juice to diapers, wipes, pet food, and water.

Through her work with Thermal HUGS, Leigh forged a connection to JABOR, thanks to Andy, the brother of Lori Tierney. After the last Live at Lititz conference, where JABOR held a Toy Drive, Charlie Hernandez from JABOR reached out to Andy looking for a place to deliver the donations. Leigh’s stand was the perfect destination. 

In the days leading up to Christmas, 20 bicycles and a wide assortment of toys were delivered to Leigh’s stand. These gifts arrived just in time to bring joy to children who had lost so much in the storm. Children lined up down the block to receive their toys, their faces lighting up with excitement. It was a rare moment of joy amidst the otherwise challenging circumstances.

Leigh’s story is a powerful reminder that one person’s commitment to their community can make an immense difference. What started as a small roadside farm stand has grown into an organization helping countless families rebuild their lives after the storm. Thanks to her vision and unwavering dedication, the impact of Thermal HUGS continues to resonate throughout the community.