The Report
$1,000,000 Milestone
A look at the numbers from our first $1,000,000 of funding.
When Rebuild Hot Springs Area reached its first million dollars raised, it was more than a number on paper. It was shingles on rooftops, lumber in hardware stores, meals on kitchen tables, and paychecks for local crews who showed up day after day. Every dollar moved through our valley and back into the hands of neighbors, businesses, and workers who are rebuilding life here in Hot Springs.
This page outlines exactly how those funds were invested in our community—supporting homeowners, restoring businesses, strengthening emergency services, and keeping the recovery moving forward. Transparency matters, but so does the story behind the numbers. Each section shows not just what was spent, but what it meant for the people of Hot Springs.
4
Funds Developed
We established four distinct funds that allocate resources where they are needed most:
- Residential
- Business
- Emergency Services
- Municipal
Learn more about our designated funds
9
Special Initiatives Created
We launched nine special initiatives where unmet needs couldn’t wait. These include:
- Worker Relief Program
- Silvermine Restoration Project
- Downtown waste and sanitation remediation
- Critical assistance to local organizations
- Developing a permanent parking solution
- Reimbursements to community members
200+
Families Helped
More than 200 families found support through Rebuild Hot Springs Area. Some received materials to repair damaged homes, others gained the financial relief needed to steady themselves after weeks of uncertainty. Each family’s story was different, but together they tell of a community moving forward, one household at a time.
Taking Action
A Breakdown
How our funds were spent
Every contribution helped lay the foundation for Hot Springs to rise again. The first million raised was carefully directed into the places where it mattered most. The breakdown below shows how those dollars shaped our path forward.
$320k+
to Residents & Workers
More than $320,000 was placed directly into the hands of Hot Springs families. These funds patched roofs, fixed bridges, rebuilt walls, and brought stability to properties scarred by the flood. Just as importantly, they offered relief to workers whose paychecks had been interrupted, giving them the chance to steady their lives while recovery took shape around them.
$525k+
to Businesses
More than $525,000 went into the storefronts and shops that make Hot Springs feel like home. These funds helped businesses repair damage, restock shelves, and reopen doors that many feared would stay shut. Each grant meant more than recovery—it meant paychecks returning, neighbors back at work, and the familiar hum of our local economy coming to life again.
$100k+
to Local Community Organizations, the Town of Hot Springs, and Special Initiatives
Over $100,000 was invested in the backbone of our town. Local organizations received support to keep serving neighbors in need. The municipality of Hot Springs gained essential tools and software to carry out the work of recovery more efficiently. And when urgent needs arose—moments where a quick response meant the difference between delay and progress—these funds allowed us to act without hesitation.
Two
Fire Apparatus Repaired and Returned to Service
We repaired and returned two damaged fire apparatus to service for the Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Department. Restoring these vehicles meant more than fixing equipment—it meant ensuring our firefighters had the tools they needed to protect lives and property, ready to answer the next call without delay.
Our Efficiency
99.6% of all donations went straight back into the community.
One of our proudest achievements has been the efficiency of this effort. Out of the first million dollars raised, just 0.4% of all funds were spent on administration. Every other dollar went directly back into the work of recovery.
That was possible because of a team of volunteers and local contractors who gave their time, skills, and long hours to keep overhead low while delivering high-impact results. Their dedication meant that donations stretched further, turning generosity into tangible progress for Hot Springs.
We’re not going anywhere.
The work of rebuilding is far from over, and neither are we. Rebuild Hot Springs Area is here for the long haul, long after the last wall is raised and the final storefront repaired. Our mission is not just recovery but renewal, ensuring that Hot Springs is stronger, safer, and ready for the generations to come.
Every donation matters. Each gift, no matter the size, fuels real change by helping families return home, keeping businesses alive, and building a future our town can depend on.
Together, we are proving that a small Appalachian community can rise and thrive.