Went up with 5 other fellas and my son. Reported to a small Fire Dept. outside Newland. We coordinated ahead of time. Upon arrival few leaders had shown up and those present were looking exhausted. The pre meeting phone call led us to believe we were doing ground work and shuttles of supplies.
After killing an hour or so we redirected to Spruce Pine Fire Department. They sent us to a large Baptist Church who was coordinating out reach and supplies to the community. Upon arrival it was hugely apparently they had way more organization and direct communication to the community. We were able to register and list skills and equipment picked few things up they had and spent the day doing work orders as they needed us to.
We removed some trees, tarped a few roofs and tore out a saturated bed room and ceiling of one home.
We took water and food as instructed to offer and had zero takers. The Church and every Fire Department or similar drop off was absolutely inundated with bottles of water. They were housing a few folks and making meals around the clock.
The realness of the damage is shocking and oddly humbling.
The amount of folks in and out all day in every type of transportation and level of equipment was impressive. It was very apparent who came to do what ever task at hand those looking for a feel good vibe. The over all amount of control over emotions, calmness of character and grace displayed by those manning the Church was blessing among the chaos.
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