ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — On most mornings, Lily Korpella works behind the scenes at the Asheville Humane Thrift Store, sorting through bags of donated clothes, toys and household items before they reach the sales floor. It’s quiet, physical work, but for Korpella, 27, it represents something deeper: stability, purpose and a way to stay connected to a community she loves.
Korpella has worked as lead intake at the thrift store since February, a new chapter that followed an abrupt turning point in her life. Before Asheville Humane, she was an assistant manager at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. That job ended suddenly after Tropical Storm Helene disrupted operations, leaving her unemployed and searching for a new direction.
“I’ve always wanted to get into nonprofit,” Korpella said. “Supporting animals and people in the community — that’s what matters to me.”…