In Swannanoa, North Carolina, the crunch of dried, bent cornstalks underfoot marks the path for Jill Holtz. With her gaze keenly focused on the ground, she ventures into the woods, weaving between twisted branches in search of lost treasures. Soon, her eyes catch a glimpse of something unusual—a sonogram strip, its scraggly white lines fragmented like shattered glass, lies on the ground. Despite the wear from the elements, a name remains visible on it.
Earlier in February, Holtz methodically combed through parts of a cornfield that Hurricane Helene’s fierce floodwaters had flattened months prior. The deluge swept away people’s homes and their most cherished belongings—photos, keepsakes, and heirlooms—many of which have been presumed lost forever. However, Holtz is determined to find and reunite these scattered treasures with their owners, bringing renewed hope to those unable to search for themselves.
Holtz’s mission began after she delivered aid to western North Carolina post-storm as part of her duties with the North Carolina National Guard. Her efforts to retrieve Violet Vardiman’s lost items sparked the realization of so many more missing items, compelling her to continue her search. She has been coming to Swannanoa frequently, posting her finds on Facebook to reach their rightful owners.
Although initially overwhelmed by the abundance of scattered objects, Holtz has honed her search technique to focus just a few feet ahead, concentrating on one piece at a time. Over time, she has developed her own methodology: using larger debris to store smaller finds, wearing gloves and sturdy boots, and picking up items with care, all while navigating the natural obstacles with a good-natured approach.
Within 20 minutes of scouring the cornfield and surrounding woods, Holtz collects a variety of items—a teddy bear with golden wings, an 8-track tape, and several photographs, which despite their journey through the storm bear only minor abrasions. As she retrieves each item, she remains hopeful for the opportunity to return joy to someone’s life through these found treasures.
Holtz stores her finds in a trailer, resembling a garage sale brimming with past lives captured in photos from events like weddings, school functions, and everyday moments. Her photo restoration process, involving cool water and gentle cleaning with a soft toothbrush, is laborious yet comforting, allowing her to intimately experience pieces of strangers’ lives.
One muddy canvas she cleans reveals the faces of a family portrait, sparking her wish to reunite it with its owners. Through Facebook, Holtz remains in touch with about 15 families, some of whom have already reclaimed their belongings, while others are yet to connect with her in person. For those unable to return to Swannanoa yet, Holtz patiently holds onto their cherished items until the time is right.
On a subsequent day, Holtz sets up her trailer near the cornfield and waits in anticipation of visitors drawn by her social media updates. Soon, Angie McGee arrives, eager to rediscover her family’s lost possessions after searching unsuccessfully post-flood. As McGee cleans the dirt from photos, vivid memories resurface of her brother, father, and son.
Amid her findings, McGee finds her ultrasound photos—the very strip Holtz observed the previous day—and is astounded to discover how far they traveled from her home. After months of despair over what was lost, she expresses overwhelming gratitude for regaining fragments of her family’s history.
The reunion is deeply emotional as McGee spots her son’s football shoulder pads, prompting tears. Witnessing the profound impact of her work fortifies Holtz’s resolve to continue her mission. For each item returned, Holtz not only restores hope to others but receives a semblance of hope herself.
