R
esidents in western North Carolina are still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which hit in late September. Amethyst Albert, a sales agent for Keller Williams Realty in Fayetteville, witnessed firsthand the destruction in Saluda, a tourist town near Asheville and the South Carolina state line. Albert is passionate about KW Cares, a nonprofit arm of Keller Williams that provides support to those affected by disasters, health issues, or other crises.

    When Hurricane Helene hit, Albert was out of town at her high school reunion, but she quickly got involved in relief efforts once she returned home. She learned that there was a need for generators, fuel cans, chainsaws, shovels, nonperishable food, clothing, and bottled water in the affected areas. With the help of fellow sales agents and social media donations, Albert collected over $10,000 worth of supplies.

    Albert's home became a warehouse for the supplies, which were then transported to Saluda by a convoy of nine trucks and trailers on October 5-6. The team included active and retired military veterans who wanted to help with the relief efforts. However, they soon realized that accessing the town would be a challenge due to washed-out roads and bridges.

    Albert's team began clearing the debris from the bridge, which took several hours of manual labor and chainsaw work. Once in Saluda, they helped out at Tom and Bri Haas' Green River Barbeque restaurant, which had been severely damaged by mudslides. Albert made multiple trips to the affected areas, including a Secret Santa project that provided Christmas presents for 58 families.

    Albert's efforts did not go unnoticed, as she was recently awarded the 2025 Kathy Neu Philanthropy Award at the Keller Williams Family Reunion in Las Vegas. The award recognizes individuals who uplift the KW Cares mission and work to make their communities a better place. Albert's selflessness and dedication to helping others have made her a beloved figure in her community, and she continues to inspire others with her generosity and kindness.

    Albert credits her parents for instilling in her the values of hard work and kindness towards others. She believes that everyone has a role to play in making their community a better place and is committed to continuing her efforts to make a positive impact.