Thankful for the Helpers
“My mother used to say whenever there would be any catastrophe, ‘always look for the helpers … there will always be helpers’… rescue teams, medical people … anybody who is coming into a place where there’s a tragedy … if you look for the helpers, you’ll know that there’s hope.” Fred Rogers
Help. Hope.
Twin four-letter words. Small but mighty bookend words that bring us to tears when, at the darkest hour, we know both are on the horizon. When help is coming, hope is here.
Heroes.
Like all our neighbors in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, the West Knoxville Lifestyle Staff was inspired by the immediate, self-sacrificing, and life-saving help from the response teams that rushed to the aid of thousands endangered by Hurricane Helene in mountainous terrain turned more treacherous by unprecedented water and winds.
There aren’t enough words to express gratitude for the selfless service of first responders, rescue squads, medical teams, emergency management teams, local, state and federal law enforcement, fire department crews, national and state guardsmen and women, active-duty military units, utility line crews, federal, state and local government agencies, and national non-profits.
Grateful for the Volunteers
"The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others." DeAnn Hollis
Pick-up trucks. ATVs. Helicopters. Mules.
The faithful character and fierce spirit of our Volunteer State, shining brightly from folks coming from communities everywhere, remains undaunted in this dark season from the very beginning of the disaster and continues today.
Local businesses, churches and other faith-based groups, schools, community organizations, and thousands of individuals jumped in immediately and have volunteered tens of thousands of hours donating, gathering, and delivering water, food, medical and other vital supplies for living. They’ve been boots on the ground, working side by side with the people who lost so much, helping clean up and rebuild. They are still hard at work over a month later, committed to helping our neighbors in these beloved mountain communities for as long as it takes.
If we are blessed to sit down with our families in a warm home to enjoy a bountiful table this Thanksgiving, let’s not forget our neighbors impacted by this historic storm who have lost so much and still endure hardships now, for months, and perhaps years to come.
Here are just a few resources that can be your hands and feet of help and hope.
The American Red Cross RedCross.org
The Salvation Army SalvationArmyUSA.org
East Tennessee Foundation EastTennesseeFoundation.org
Local NBC Knoxville affiliate WBIR.com has curated ways to donate and volunteer