It started with a Facebook post by Bates county Sheriff Chad Anderson empathizing with victims of hurricane Helene. "About 5 years ago my family lost everything due to a fire. We got a little taste of what those folks are experiencing. I simply put it out there and it came with an incredible response from not only our community but others in the region."
Literally within a few hours of making the post, the sheriff was inundated with messages and calls from local folks wanting to help the victims; now, fast forward to today as two large trailer loads of supplies will caravan to Buncombe, North Carolina courtesy of the Bates County Sheriff's Office with those local donations in tow.
While news of relief efforts from North Carolina are mixed, leading some to believe that not all supplies are quickly getting to those who desperately need them, Anderson and his organizers decided to work directly with sheriff offices in Buncombe county as well as two other adjacent counties.
Anderson also discovered in his communications that dire conditions have lead to many sleeping in tents and cooking over a campfire, all while not having the luxury of hot showers along with other things we might take for granted. Hence the items in route include about everything imaginable including hygiene products, fans, blankets, towels and more.
With water and food high on the priority list, one generous donation came in the form of over 2,000 MRE's (meals ready to eat) from the Bates County Commission, to which Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley along with Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson and Northern Commissioner Ken Mooney, said they are glad to be able to aid with the effort.
And without delay the caravan pulled out of Butler this afternoon heading east hoping to land around Knoxville, Tennessee later tonight before continuing to Buncombe tomorrow.
"Even the trailers are donated for the trip" said Anderson "It's unbelievable how much folks here want to help in any way they can." He went on to say that fielding calls and answering questions has taken just about as much time as loading the trailers and getting everything ready.
But that's not all. The caravan not only will include 11 volunteers and two escort vehicles, but one added item personally owned by Anderson and his wife Courtney.
"We realized our camper is just sitting there and it might as well as be put to good use." Hence, it will be included in the caravan to be used by Buncombe county sheriff's office personnel. As of now, plans are to return at a later date to retrieve it after things calm down.
While chatting with Anderson this morning, we found that donations came from points further away including Lee's Summit, Overland Park, Cass county, Henry county and others. "Some donations were left in the foyer at the Sheriff's Office and we don't even know who it's from. Not to mention, we have received some astounding monetary donations, one from an individual was $2,500. Another was a shopping cart full worth about $1,200."
While organizing this trip has happened in short order it appears everything is well packed and ready for the 950 mile or so journey that likely will require some additional time due to a detour as some local highways have been washed away.
Even with that, it be a short turnaround as the plan is to unload late tomorrow or early Thursday then be back home sometime late Friday.
"But well worth it" he added. "The outpouring of support is incredible. This is why I call Bates county the best community in the world. I don't know of another one like it."
"Even the trailers are donated for the trip" said Anderson "It's unbelievable how much folks here want to help in any way they can." He went on to say that fielding calls and answering questions has taken just about as much time as loading the trailers and getting everything ready.
But that's not all. The caravan not only will include 11 volunteers and two escort vehicles, but one added item personally owned by Anderson and his wife Courtney.
"We realized our camper is just sitting there and it might as well as be put to good use." Hence, it will be included in the caravan to be used by Buncombe county sheriff's office personnel. As of now, plans are to return at a later date to retrieve it after things calm down.
While chatting with Anderson this morning, we found that donations came from points further away including Lee's Summit, Overland Park, Cass county, Henry county and others. "Some donations were left in the foyer at the Sheriff's Office and we don't even know who it's from. Not to mention, we have received some astounding monetary donations, one from an individual was $2,500. Another was a shopping cart full worth about $1,200."
While organizing this trip has happened in short order it appears everything is well packed and ready for the 950 mile or so journey that likely will require some additional time due to a detour as some local highways have been washed away.
"But well worth it" he added. "The outpouring of support is incredible. This is why I call Bates county the best community in the world. I don't know of another one like it."
Mid America Live will continue to follow this story and provide updates both during and after the crew makes this every important trip east.
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| A quick pic before departure |
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| A prayer for safe travels |
