The “To Hell with Helene” Pool Re-Opening Party – A Celebration of Resilience
Brandon Wilde: Rising Strong After Hurricane Helene
When Hurricane Helene tore through Evans, Ga., it devastated homes and businesses, and caused massive disruptions to our daily lives. But the largest natural disaster in our city’s history also uncovered the heart, grit, and generosity of all those who live in the CSRA.
Brandon Wilde rose to meet the moment with resilience, compassion, and unity. We’re proud of our endurance, but ours is only one of many such stories in our region.
Devastating Storm Uncovers Community’s Resilience
Helene struck suddenly at 4 a.m. on September 27, 2024, startling residents of the senior living community awake with howling winds and eerie, unfamiliar noises.
The storm’s impact was both sudden and severe. “When we went to bed, everything was fine—we weren’t expecting to be affected in our part of the state,” says Marketing Director Cheryl Stevens. “But when we woke up in the morning, it was total devastation outside.”
Brandon Wilde’s leadership team immediately sprang into action, bringing calm to a chaotic situation. Roads were blocked by fallen trees, the power was out, and communication was sporadic. “Our driveway was blocked, which is dangerous because an ambulance wouldn’t have been able to reach us if we needed help,” Stevens explains. “Our plant operations team, led by Chris Pearson, was out there at 6 a.m., clearing the road.”
Maintaining Calm and Building Community Spirit
Thanks to a robust emergency plan and strong leadership, the Brandon Wilde staff pulled together, maintained composure, and did what had to be done.
Though the power was out, the community’s generators kept running strong, ensuring the safety and comfort of vulnerable residents in the assisted living and memory care neighborhoods. “We also had the generators working in the Georgia Room to give people in independent living a central gathering spot,” Stevens says.
For 10 nights, directors and team members took turns staying overnight to provide constant support. “Every night we had 5–10 rooms set up for people to sleep in, and everyone was coming in early and staying late. With Wi-Fi down across much of the Augusta region, it was a challenge to get information out, but we figured out a way to send frequent updates to the families.”
Departments and job titles stopped mattering—everyone pitched in wherever they were needed. “At one point we had water but no electricity, and the sales team and I were in the dark kitchen, helping wash huge stacks of dishes by hand. Team members went door to door helping residents clean out their refrigerators. Everyone was checking in on one another constantly.”
Twice-daily website posts helped reassure loved ones across the country.
In the weeks following the storm, Brandon Wilde’s national management company, Life Care Services (LCS), had representatives onsite working alongside the community’s staff to ensure recovery and rebuilding efforts went smoothly. “It was an all-hands-on-deck situation, and the support we received was—and continues to be—tremendous,” Stevens notes.
Small Acts, Big Impact
As local grocery stores struggled to meet the needs of recovery crews, Brandon Wilde staff stepped up—handing out sandwiches to FEMA workers at sunrise, offering temporary shelter to tree-removal teams, and making gas and food runs to Atlanta to keep operations going. Quiet heroism defined each day.
Meanwhile, residents pulled together. The storm’s most visible damage to Brandon Wilde occurred when a massive 150-year-old tree fell onto the roof of the community’s pool, destroying a major social hub, recreation center, and fitness facility in seconds. Several residents gathered to watch the tree being removed, forming bonds over the shared experience and offering mutual support.
Perhaps most moving was the response from residents and their families. From handwritten thank-you notes to heartfelt hugs, gratitude flowed freely. One resident’s son, himself facing storm-related challenges, expressed peace knowing his mother was safe and cared for at Brandon Wilde.
“The residents also made generous donations to support team members who had lost property and whose lives were upended by the storm,” says Stevens.
Looking Forward: Planting Hope
Seven months later, the recovery continues—not just in infrastructure, but in spirit. A newly formed landscape committee is helping replant what was lost. Residents, knowing they may never see the trees fully grown, are still planting them—for the next generation. It’s a powerful metaphor for Brandon Wilde itself: rooted in community, growing toward the future.
The vibrant Brandon Wilde lifestyle has also returned in full force. The pool reopened with an epic party featuring a cannonball contest, signature cocktails, a dance routine, and a water volleyball tournament.
As Stevens put it, “We’re anything but retiring. Brandon Wilde isn’t just a place to live—it’s a place to thrive, even in the face of the storm.”
View the full news story here.