Through a cooperative staff member, Lorain-Medina Rural Electric and North Central Electric were made aware of a small community in North Carolina that had many of its members desperately struggling not only to clean up after Hurricane Helene's devastation but also to survive. Families residing in this rural, elevated area were cut off from aid due to roads being washed away and were in desperate need of food, water, and basic supplies.Ìý
The FESCO team became aware of this community’s issue on the afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 2. By that evening, the call had been sent out to members, board, staff, and community partners via social media and email at each cooperative. Donations started arriving before the offices opened the morning of Thursday, Oct.3. Drop-off locations were set up outside of each office for those donating water, food, clothing, blankets, medical supplies, and so much more. Members and businesses could also provide cash donations at each office, which were used to purchase additional items. Local businesses donated pallets of buckets and water, chainsaws, tools, and other supplies. Families even stopped to share their stories of when they were helped and why they wanted to ensure they passed it on.Ìý
When the initial call for aid went out, the co-ops aimed to fill one semi-truck with needed supplies and equipment. Due to the overwhelming response of co-op and community members, three semi-trucks full of desperately needed supplies and equipment left the facilities heading south that were collected in less than 72 hours. The outpouring of support from members, board, staff, and community was so overwhelming that we could answer an additional call for aid from another community in a rural area of Unicoi County, Tennessee. It was an awesome community and employee effort, and it was so awesome to see everyone come together and help out.Ìý
View our Thank You videos on YouTube here Through a cooperative staff member, Lorain-Medina Rural Electric and North Central Electric were made aware of a small community in North Carolina that had many of its members desperately struggling not only to clean up after Hurricane Helene's devastation but also to survive. Families residing in this rural, elevated area were cut off from aid due to roads being washed away and were in desperate need of food, water, and basic supplies.Ìý
The FESCO team became aware of this community’s issue on the afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 2. By that evening, the call had been sent out to members, board, staff, and community partners via social media and email at each cooperative. Donations started arriving before the offices opened the morning of Thursday, Oct.3. Drop-off locations were set up outside of each office for those donating water, food, clothing, blankets, medical supplies, and so much more. Members and businesses could also provide cash donations at each office, which were used to purchase additional items. Local businesses donated pallets of buckets and water, chainsaws, tools, and other supplies. Families even stopped to share their stories of when they were helped and why they wanted to ensure they passed it on.Ìý
When the initial call for aid went out, the co-ops aimed to fill one semi-truck with needed supplies and equipment. Due to the overwhelming response of co-op and community members, three semi-trucks full of desperately needed supplies and equipment left the facilities heading south that were collected in less than 72 hours. The outpouring of support from members, board, staff, and community was so overwhelming that we could answer an additional call for aid from another community in a rural area of Unicoi County, Tennessee. It was an awesome community and employee effort, and it was so awesome to see everyone come together and help out.Ìý
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