Tell us a bit about yourself. 

My name is Leslie Beninato, and I’m the owner of Asheville Canoe House, a canoe rental company. Before Helene, I was also a raft guide, bike guide, and bike tech for a local outdoor company. I’ve lived in WNC for almost 20 years and have resided in Asheville for 11 years. I went to Appalachian State University and decided I never wanted to leave the mountains. 

What do you love about where you live? 

Well, I love the French Broad River for multiple reasons, the history and the wildlife being a few, even before I started my business. I think the coolest fact that surprises folks is how old the French Broad actually is (it formed between 260 and 325 million years ago before the continents split apart).

What’s your go-to river activity? 

I love paddling in all forms. Usually, you can find me canoeing, rafting, or whitewater stand-up paddleboarding. Treasure hunting/river cleanups are a nice bonus when on the water.

What’s your connection to MountainTrue?

I have been volunteering with MountainTrue and other local nonprofits since moving to Asheville over 10 years ago. I’ve also been organizing cleanups on my own post-Helene. 

I support MountainTrue by assisting in cleanup efforts, assisting with volunteer organization, keeping the work areas safe for volunteers, and scouting out potential river hazards and new features that may be created after storms. Promoting safe and healthy use of our local rivers and streams while educating the public and tourists has always been a top personal priority. So, helping with cleanup efforts before and after Helene was just something natural.

Why do you think folks should get involved with/support our work? 

All nonprofits can use support and help (monetarily or physically); I help physically when

hands are needed and I speak for the river when she needs a helping voice. Anything helps. Whether you donate $5 or $500, whether you pick up one piece of trash or thousands. No big skill level is needed nor is age a factor when volunteering. For example, if I’m feeling low energy or overwhelmed (especially since Helene), I always feel better after getting outside and getting my hands dirty; seeing others also out there really inspires you to do/be better. So if you don’t volunteer just to help your community, you can at least volunteer to help yourself.

Anything else you’d like to share? 

The community and the river will need help for years to come. Please continue to donate

in whatever way you can to the local nonprofits helping our community members in need and to our environmental nonprofits to help keep Appalachia a beautiful and sacred place.