Serving Our Neighbors written by Michal Thompson

Our hearts go out to those affected by recent hurricanes, Helene & Milton. In times of such immense destruction and struggle, it is reassuring to hear of the good in the world -- such as people rallying together to help one another.

The hurricanes were thousands of miles from our location; however, no matter the distance, we can all serve our neighbors in the South afftected by the storms in their intense time of need. We recognize it can be hard to know how to help, and most especially what organizations to trust & support.

OE Ambassador & Athlete, Michal Thompson, recently returned from providing relief in the community of Erwin, Tennessee, following Hurricane Helene. Here is her experience and suggestions of quality organizations working to serve our neighbors in the South.  

Serving Our Neighbors

written by Michal Thompson

I was able to spend 4 days in Northeastern Tennessee as part of Child Life Disaster Relief. I spent most of my time in Erwin at Unicoi High School where the community has a well oiled machine of support. They are far ahead of many national services.

The hurricane victims have come here for a place of refuge.  Some come for all their needs because they have no home.  Some come for food because they have lost all of their own due to flooding or loss of power (and now have rotten food in freezers and refrigerators to deal with) or no way to cook food.  Some come to eat a free meal to save money for all the costly repairs they will need to make. Some come for the community and to feel a sense of normalcy.  Some come to process their experience and share verbally with someone, anyone.  

The survivor experience is a large spectrum. Some people come to serve because these are their people and neighbors.  Some come to serve because they can’t bear not to.  Some come to serve because they can. I saw so many students come to serve because this is their school. Some children come to serve because their parents do, and loving their fellow men has become a normal part of living life. But it is the most beautiful thing to watch a community come together and love and serve each other expecting nothing in return. I can’t tell you how much I miss living in the south.  The love and compassion is unreal.  They are friendly to all and they will share their testimony of a loving God even amidst the struggle. 

This is not the only disaster relief hub.  There are many much like this.   

I had the honor of working mostly with the children. Many of them don’t always understand what or why this has happened.  Some children are afraid to go back home where the trauma occurred- a place that once felt safe is not. A place where anything could happen at any moment.  Some don’t want to go home because it looks different.  Some don’t want to go home because it means a lot of work to clean up. Some have to go home because there are looters out. Many are still in the middle of a displacement and could be facing this for a while.  

We have also worked with parents who are still processing in their own way. Some parents are still in fight or flight mode. Some parents don’t take enough supplies from the shelter for their family because they feel there is someone in worse condition who needs it more. Some parents needed physical help collecting the items they were gathering and some were gathering for neighbors who couldn’t make it out. The processing of this traumatic experience has been difficult for many because it was not expected and so many were unprepared. 

I got to see so many incredible things.  Food trucks were often present to feed those that needed it at no charge.  Helicopters landed almost 3x a day to transport people or supplies to places that are hard to reach on the ground. Donations of every kind were offered.  Mobile laundry units were parked in many parking lots and running 24/7.  The HS offered a place to shower and sleep with toiletries and bedding included. 

There are so many downed trees and other debris to dispose of/get out of the way that they have started burning them. Such a drastic difference from where the wildfires are happening and where water is much needed!  

This has not only affected people in the pathway of the storm.  It has also affected the surrounding areas.  These students have an “extended” fall break.  It could be weeks before they are back in school. The needs of these people are evolving every day.  But the strain is real. Recovery will a long time! Pray for these people as they rebuild. Pray that we can be united as a country.  Pray for direction in how to prepare your own families for the unexpected.  I know I am looking at our preparation much differently and more seriously.

If you are interested in donating to nonprofits that provide assistance during disasters please check out Child Life Disaster Relief at cldisasterrelief.org (the organization that I volunteer with),  Rapid Relief Team  https://www.rrtglobal.org/us/ is a group that was on site helping survivors.  Chick-Fil-A was also on site serving lunch and dinner to survivors, they have a track record of doing so much good.  

#childlifedisasterrelief #childlifespecialists #HurricaneHelene #unicoicounty