Thursday, October 1, 2026
®
The World's Local News Source®
Shelby, NC (WNN) - What began as a family's efforts to help after Hurricane Helene grew into a full-fledged 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It helps those in need all over North Carolina.
The Organization is called Mountain Rescue NC. Jennifer Fredell-Saucier, its founder and CEO, has led it to expand beyond disaster relief to address poverty, food shortage, and utility assistance for families, veterans, and senior citizens throughout the community.
Mountain Rescue NC Logo
Mountain Rescue NC Website
Fredell-Saucier started the organization with her husband, who is a state trooper, and their two sons, then ages 10 and 17. Her husband works out of Asheville, and her sons wanted to help just as their dad does. That began the process to help communities devastated by Hurricane Helene.
Jennifer Fredell- Saucier with her husband and two children.
LinkedIn
Before they officially started helping, they noticed that not many stepped in to help. So they decided to take matters into their own hands.
"There were so many people displaced, not a lot of large organizations stepping in. So we did," Fredell-Saucier said.
One of Jennifer Fredell-Saucier's son's helping box up men's & women’s coats.
Mountain Rescue NC
The organization officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on Oct. 8, 2024.
What started as hurricane relief work quickly evolved as Fredell-Saucier recognized urgent needs in her local community. The organization currently serves the region's most vulnerable populations, such as children, mothers, foster families, veterans, disabled adults, fixed-income seniors, and more across Western North Carolina.
Mountain Rescue NC has served residents across multiple counties, including Buncombe, Mitchell, Rutherford, McDowell, Yancey, and Macon, delivering relief and rebuilding support to disaster-impacted areas.
Volunteers helping to prepare supplies for families in need.
Mountain Rescue NC
"We are all one storm away from a disaster," Fredell-Saucier said, quoting a volunteer. "It could be a loss of a job, it could be a sickness."
Fredell-Saucier experienced this firsthand when she suffered a stroke a month ago. The health crisis reinforced her understanding of how quickly circumstances can change.
"We've got families working two, three, four jobs and still not able to keep the lights on, keep food on the table, and keep clothes for their kids," she said.
Fredell-Saucier's commitment to community service stems from her own experiences. Adopted at birth, she never experienced foster care but felt compelled to support children in the system. She also cared for both parents before their deaths within the past two years — her mother passed away from cancer two years ago, and her father died in January.
"My mom said the day before she passed away, 'Jennifer, I need you to always remember you've got to give more than you take from this world,'" Fredell-Saucier said. "What we do here is important."
The organization recently received a call from a Vietnam veteran who broke down in tears while asking for help with utility bills, highlighting the struggles faced by those who have served.
"That breaks my heart," Fredell-Saucier said of seniors and veterans struggling financially after contributing to society throughout their lives.
Mountain Rescue NC is conducting its second annual Operation Magic Mountain Toy Drive to ensure children in Western North Carolina have gifts for Christmas. The organization aims to ensure no child wakes up without a gift under their tree.
A poster for the Magic Mountain Toy Drive
Mountain Rescue NC
The nonprofit will host a community event Dec. 16 at the Kings Mountain Marketplace from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., featuring Santa, the Grinch, toy distribution, cookies, and candy canes.
Despite the organization's growth, Fredell-Saucier and her husband have invested a significant amount of their own money in the organization. She admitted that they cannot continue providing that much financial help on their own anymore.
"I can help people with supplies all day long, but I can't help pay a utility bill. I can't help turn the water back on if we don't have funds in the account to do so," she said.
The organization recently received $20 from a mother whose children donated their $5-per-week allowances.
"That $10 meant like a million dollars to me," Fredell-Saucier said. "A six and eight-year-old kid donating their allowance. That's phenomenal."
She emphasized that even small recurring donations can make a substantial impact. If 500 people donated $10 monthly — the cost of a cup of coffee — the organization could significantly expand its reach.
The organization needs volunteers to organize toys, transport supplies to recipients, and assist with community events. Monetary donations can be made at mountainrescue.org, with options for one-time, weekly, or monthly contributions.
Even if you cannot donate financially, simple acts such as sharing the organization's posts on social media can help them more than most realize.
Fredell-Saucier says, "Even if people can't donate financially, share our posts, share our mission, share our page. That to me is as much as money because it takes that to spread our name and what we do and who we are."
For further WNN articles and news stories, visit https://wisenewsnetwork.com
For more WNN video news stories, visit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wisenewsnetwork
Contact WNN at newsdesk@wisenewsnetwork.com
North Carolina Press Association Member
©️Copyright 2025 Wise News Network. All rights reserved.
