BREVARD, N.C. (AP) — The Weissmans still have much to do to recover from Hurricane Helene flooding their home last month.
They need to chase down private insurance claims and fill out applications for the Small Business Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Because the storm killed power to western North Carolina, they worry about mold.
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Boys play basketball at the Project:Camp pop-up daycamp for families impacted by Hurricane Helene in Brevard, N.C., Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
Madiera Maxwell, left, checks in her two children, nephew and niece to the Project:Camp pop-up daycamp for families impacted by Hurricane Helene in Brevard, N.C., Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
Kids eat snacks in their "cabin groups" at the Project:Camp pop-up daycamp for families impacted by Hurricane Helene in Brevard, N.C., Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
Children play games at the Project:Camp pop-up daycamp for families impacted by Hurricane Helene at the Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County in Brevard, N.C., Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
A girl plays hopscotch at the Project:Camp pop-up daycamp for families impacted by Hurricane Helene in Brevard, N.C., Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
Max and Aviva Weissman stand outside the Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County in Brevard, N.C., Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 after dropping off their kids at Project Camp. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
Seven-year-old Reyna Weissman, right, participates in arts and crafts, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the Project:Camp pop-up daycamp for families impacted by Hurricane Helene in Brevard, N.C. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
Boys play basketball at the Project:Camp pop-up daycamp for families impacted by Hurricane Helene in Brevard, N.C., Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
The storm also wrecked Max Weissman's office, leaving the 45-year-old therapist with nowhere to meet patients. And it leveled the building that housed the tea company where his wife, Aviva Weissman, worked.
But the Weissmans haven’t had time to deal with any of that because like all parents their utmost priority is their children. Schools have been closed since the storm and their son Avi, 11, helped Max bleach the basement last week. Aviva briefly took their 7-year-old daughter Reyna to stay with family in South Carolina before returning home.
Like all children, both now need a routine, and to play.
On Monday morning, Weissman took Avi and Reyna to a free, pop-up day camp where dozens of kids were making bracelets, drawing, and playing oversized games of Jenga and Connect Four in a large playroom. Outside, girls bounced through a hopscotch court as a fierce basketball game heated up behind them.
The camp is hosted by the the LA-based nonprofit Project:Camp. As storms become more frequent and severe, the organization is increasingly traveling to disaster-affected communities to set up spaces where kids can process the disruption and devastation of a disaster while their parents start the long recovery process.
“I feel pretty guilty telling them all the time, ‘I’ve never dealt with this,’” said Weissman. “‘This is the first time we’re dealing with a pandemic. This is the first time we’re dealing with a flood.’ And I feel like it just keeps on.”
He lingered outside the playroom, anxiously peering through the window to check on the kids as he responded to messages from his patients.
The Brevard camp opened Monday and will run until Friday. Schools here are expected to open next week. Project:Camp is talking with nearby communities about where to set up next.
Schools can’t reopen until water is restored. For some counties, it’s still unclear when that can happen.
As of Tuesday, 15 school districts and the majority of the 21 charter schools in the region impacted by the storm remained closed, according to the state’s Department of Public Instruction. Three districts are set to resume classes Wednesday, with more to follow next week.
With Hurricane Milton approaching Florida, Project:Camp was also preparing for the possibility it would be needed there, too.
“It’s always been the case that there’s a lack of this,” said Dr. Irwin Redlener, founding director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University and an adjunct professor of pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “As quickly as possible, we have to begin reestablishing some level of post-disaster normalcy for children ... The necessity for play should not be understated,” he said.
Project:Camp volunteers are trained in trauma recovery. Kids participate in gratitude circles, refocusing them on positive thoughts, and do mental and emotional checks, or “Me” checks, where they rate how they feel and learn to assess their own wellbeing.
They also just have fun.
“Camp is an inherently therapeutic space for kids,” said Henry Meier, director of external affairs at the organization and leader of the Brevard pop-up. “They process through play, they process with their peers. So just having a space that they recognize, that they feel safe and comfortable in, is the best environment for them right now.”
On Tuesday morning, the Weissmans returned to Project:Camp. Max looked more relaxed. He’d gotten some things done, and the power was supposed to return that day.
When he'd picked up the kids the evening before, Reyna told him it was the “best camp ever.” Avi said it was OK, but that was enough for Max.
“In 11-year-old language," he said. "That means it was fantastic.”
Associated Press writer Gary D. Robertson contributed reporting from Raleigh, North Carolina.
Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and non-profits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.
Boys play basketball at the Project:Camp pop-up daycamp for families impacted by Hurricane Helene in Brevard, N.C., Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
Madiera Maxwell, left, checks in her two children, nephew and niece to the Project:Camp pop-up daycamp for families impacted by Hurricane Helene in Brevard, N.C., Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
Kids eat snacks in their "cabin groups" at the Project:Camp pop-up daycamp for families impacted by Hurricane Helene in Brevard, N.C., Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
Children play games at the Project:Camp pop-up daycamp for families impacted by Hurricane Helene at the Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County in Brevard, N.C., Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
A girl plays hopscotch at the Project:Camp pop-up daycamp for families impacted by Hurricane Helene in Brevard, N.C., Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
Max and Aviva Weissman stand outside the Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County in Brevard, N.C., Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 after dropping off their kids at Project Camp. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
Seven-year-old Reyna Weissman, right, participates in arts and crafts, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the Project:Camp pop-up daycamp for families impacted by Hurricane Helene in Brevard, N.C. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
Boys play basketball at the Project:Camp pop-up daycamp for families impacted by Hurricane Helene in Brevard, N.C., Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gabriela Aoun Angueira)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Lynx are three wins from a fifth championship, chasing a league record with an entirely different core from the previous dynasty.
Napheesa Collier is fully in charge of this group.
Collier had 27 points on 10-for-16 shooting and 11 rebounds and Courtney Williams contributed 24 points and both-ends-of-the-court energy to lead the Minnesota Lynx past the Connecticut Sun 88-77 and into the WNBA Finals for the first time in seven years on Tuesday night.
Collier, the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, added four blocks in a vintage all-around performance.
“She’s improved every season. She’s just been incredible. Every game, it’s more than scoring how she helps our team," coach Cheryl Reeve said. “When she plays like the MVP, we're tough to beat.”
As soon as the final buzzer sounded, with the arena roaring, Collier headed over to Lindsay Whalen's courtside seat and hugged the Hall of Famer and former Lynx star, who was the point guard on the first four championship teams.
“I definitely want to do her proud,” Collier said.
Kayla McBride had 10 of her 19 points in the first quarter for the Lynx, who advanced to face the top-seeded New York Liberty in Game 1 on Thursday night. The best-of-five series continues with Game 2 in New York on Sunday afternoon, before Minnesota hosts Game 3 on Oct. 16.
The Lynx, who finished second in the league and two games behind the Liberty during the regular season, have won three of four matchups with New York this year. That includes the WNBA Commissioner's Cup on June 25 to take the in-season tournament title.
DiJonai Carrington had 17 points and 12 rebounds and Brionna Jones had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Sun, who shot only 38.5% from the floor (25 for 65) and were flustered into 19 turnovers that the Lynx converted into 22 points.
“They just kind of punched us in the face, and we got shellshocked and then we couldn’t fight back,” said DeWanna Bonner, who had 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting.
The Sun were ousted in the semifinals for the fourth time in six years. They lost in the finals in those other two seasons, 2019 and 2022, when Williams was part of the core that still hasn't cleared that last hurdle to the franchise's first title.
Williams, who’s in her first year with Minnesota, was on a mission to make it there from the tip. The fiery ninth-year point guard was the catalyst on both ends of the floor, attacking the basket, pushing the pace on the break and pestering the Connecticut ball-handlers. Williams had her most points in a playoff game since 2019 and added seven assists, five rebounds and two steals.
She was 6 for 6 in the first half.
“When you start a game like that, you kind of know the hoop's feeling big, you’ve got the super green light,” Williams said. “I think that's the confidence that Cheryl gives us."
The Lynx built a lead as large as 21 points in the second quarter, six more than their biggest of any of the first four games. They had a sluggish start to the second half that was muted by the Sun’s cold shooting, before Alanna Smith swished a 3-pointer to end a 4:22 scoreless skid.
Then Williams swiped the ball away from Bonner as she drove to the basket and sped the other way for a layup and a 58-41 lead. Collier drained a 3-pointer to cap that 12-0 run.
Connecticut eliminated Minnesota here in the decisive Game 3 of the first round last season. Since winning Game 5 of the WNBA Finals in 2017 for their fourth championship in seven years, the Lynx were just 1-4 in winner-take-all games in the playoffs.
The atmosphere at Target Center matched the moment, with a raucous crowd that included Whalen, Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones and two members of the state’s congressional delegation, Rep. Angie Craig and Sen. Tina Smith.
Collier, who averaged 40 points in the two-game sweep of the Phoenix Mercury in the first round and had 29 points and 13 rebounds at Connecticut in Game 4, was her usual cool self with the confidence and determination of a star chasing her first championship.
“She’s just the combination of everything you want in a player, but I think the thing that makes her so special outside of the obvious skill set is she doesn’t get rushed,” Sun coach Stephanie White said. “She stays so poised, no matter what, and you can tell the rest of her team feeds off of that.”
Alyssa Thomas had a quiet seven points and six assists for the Sun, who trailed by double digits for all but 12 seconds of the final three quarters. Marina Mabrey, who came off the bench for the second straight game, hurt her ankle in the first half from an awkward step near a photographer on the baseline and was limited to 14 minutes.
“She’s one of the toughest kids I’ve ever been around,” White said. “She tried to give it a go and just didn’t have it.”
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) works toward the basket as Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington (21) defends during the second half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) shoots during the second half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals against the Connecticut Sun, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) works toward the basket as Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) defends during the second half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots over Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Connecticut Sun guards DiJonai Carrington (21) and Veronica Burton (22) talk during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals game against the Minnesota Lynx, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, right, shoots over Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner during the second half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Lynx players celebrates after the 88-77 win against the Connecticut Sun of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) celebrates with teammates after the 88-77 win against the Connecticut Sun of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, center, celebrates with teammates after the 88-77 win against the Connecticut Sun of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Connecticut Sun head coach Stephanie White reacts after a foul called on the Sun during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals against the Minnesota Lynx, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington (21) works toward the basket as Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) defends during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) points after making a shot during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals game against the Connecticut Sun, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) reacts toward a referee during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals game against the Minnesota Lynx, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) reacts after a Connecticut Sun timeout called during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
