Dawson Buchanan Provides Zenith Amounts of Aid in Multiple Ways During Hurricane Helene Recovery STORY BY TIM GARDNER
D
awson Buchanan is a classic example of good being done by good people for Avery County, the rest of the North Carolina High Country, and those from other places who
need it. Since Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, there has been an outpouring of people looking for ways to support those hit hardest by it. Dawson, co-owner of the South Valley Garden Center in the Altamont Community of Avery County (6900 Linville Falls Highway), is among those who have helped in massive manners individually and by turning their businesses into recovery centers to give away needed supplies, provide free meals, and even offer any emotional peer counseling desired. Dawson is an Avery County native. He was raised in the Pyatte Community and is a 2018 graduate of Avery County High School. He attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Government & Politics. He finished his senior year of college while living and working in Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia). He worked in various political and government posts there. He was raised in the horticulture industry and moved back home to Avery County and opened the garden supply center in 2023 with his family, which includes his parents, Ronald and Andrea, along with his brothers, Tyler, Eli, and Silas.
South Valley Garden Center opened in 2023. Photo courtesy of South Valley Garden Center.
Our operation has entailed the coordination, receiving, and distribution of donations. In the first week, I sent runners from Roan Mountain, Tennessee to Cashiers, North Carolina. Our business almost immediately became a center resource for Western North Carolina and helped stock other distribution centers before more resources came in seven to ten days after the hurricane.
- DAWSON BUCHANAN
Dawson Buchanan, co-owner of the South Valley Garden Center. Photo courtesy of South Valley Garden Center. 20
HIGH COUNTRY MAGAZINE
December 2024
Dawson detailed his hurricane recovery effort help: “Our operation has entailed the coordination, receiving, and distribution of donations. In the first week, I sent runners from Roan Mountain, Tennessee to Cashiers, North Carolina. Our business almost immediately became a center resource for Western North Carolina and helped stock other distribution centers before more resources came in seven to 10 days after the hurricane.