Swannanoa residents find gratitude during grief in wake of Helene [Video]

This Thanksgiving is looking anything but traditional for many families in Western North Carolina, displaced by Helene.While the hurt burrows deep inside the hearts of many throughout the Swannanoa community, residents there are finding healing through all the help they’ve received.The holiday season comes around once every year, and this time, things look — well, different.”This will be the first season I have not cooked a turkey dinner,” said Swannanoa Resident George Huling.Huling sits outside the Swannanoa Post Office, dressed as Santa Claus. He hands out donations to families in need of warm clothes, socks, and —soon, hopes to also have toys.”This is still a bad, bad situation,” he said.The time of year that’s usually so merry and bright in these mountains is now dimmed by devastation and destruction.”The thought of trying to put up a tree right now is like,” Heather Pettipaw starts nodding. She lost her home in …