Neighbor Helping Neighbor

In the wake of Hurricane Helene which caused severe flooding from Florida to North Carolina, and Hurricane Milton which wreaked incredible destruction on Florida’s Gulf Coast, we’ve read of so many instances of neighbors, friends, and brethren helping each other.

The devastation in Western North Carolina is especially difficult given the mountainous terrain that must be traversed with entire towns being destroyed and roads being wiped out.

Of course, there are various charitable groups to which one can donate goods or money to help, but some of the most effective have been individual efforts.

Today’s blog post (another example of good accomplished through social media)  is to not only recognize these efforts but to provide information if our readers would like to help.

Martin Adams has made 3 trips into the Asheville area with much need supplies. and is making the 4th on Monday.  If you wish to contribute, you may contact his wife, Joanie via facebook to get details on how to send money.

Wilson and Julie Adams have also gone into East Tennessee with help as well. I’m not sure if they are planning a return trip, but if you contact them, I’m sure they can provide helpful information.

Wilson posted this on this facebook page.

This couple.
Motivated by what they’ve seen, Adam and Jensen Nicholson of Athens, Alabama are renting a U-Haul, collecting requested items, and heading to North Carolina. They decided if others could “go and do,” so could they. They connected with our contacts in Elizabethton and are going soon.

With all the Christians in north Alabama, they shouldn’t have any trouble getting what they need. Reach out to Jensen Nicholson on FB and help. I love their beautiful hearts for getting involved and getting it done.
Another couple, checked in at TLC two days ago and have been put to work. Both medical, they arrived with supplies like Tetanus shots, EPIPENS, etc. -being directed to people needing help.
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Campers for Carolina… Four used RV campers have been donated/purchased and delivered to the TLC Community Center in Elizabethton. From there, they are given to families in North Carolina that have lost homes. For some, their land is all they have and they do not want to leave. Sadly, some are in tents with winter coming.
Look for used campers -donated /purchased reasonably. The unit must be in good working order, fully functional, and road worthy. If we can find some, we will need drivers/truck willing to tow to East Tennessee. Friends at TLC then connect with locals needing them. Pic: two campers delivered the day we were there.

We’ve also read about brethren from the Cornerstone Church in Centerville, Ohio, lead by Matt Allen, who’ve also loaded trucks and trailers with various necessities to help those in need.

Currently, Mike Stephens from Wellandport, Ontario, Canada, is in Spruce Pine, N.C. for a few days working and delivering more supplies. Here’s a post from his facebook page.

“I really appreciate what you are doing.” That’s what the US CUSTOMS AGENT said as he handed us our passports and sent us on our way. …Have you ever?

We just crossed into the US with over $3000 worth of hurricane relief items, and our chainsaws, tools, etc. Evan and I are headed to Spruce Pine, NC to volunteer for a few days, on the ground with a grassroots local group, wethepeoplemission.us

With very short notice, a great deal of $$ was raised, especially from our church members at the Wellandport Church of Christ.

Canadian Tire Port Colborne sold us items on our list at or below cost AND donated over $500 worth of merchandise as well. Elijah’s work, Lucyshyn Contracting donated fire extinguishers and CO detectors. ❤ !!!

Thank you to all who have contributed personal items too. I promise we will try our best to put them in the hands of the folks that need them.
Thank you to so many that have donated. Thanks to the electronic age, we can keep buying things in the US with the Canadian e-transfers, as they keep coming in. michaelstephens66@gmail.com

“The mountains are calling and we must go.”

Here’s also a post from Mark Roberts about a brother who lost everything and needs help restarting his business.

” When I was in SC in a meeting I talked with brethren who know Charlie personally and they vouched for him emphatically. He is not eligible for FEMA aid and lost everything – his truck, his warehouse, and more. If you can please help this brother!”

Help Rebuild Jamaican Food Business Destroyed by Helene

Where we are in the Smoky Mountains was unaffected by the storms. But just a few miles away, the town of Newport was flooded and people have suffered the loss of homes and all their possessions. Olie Williamson, the preacher here at Cosby, has been personally taking donations to people he knows who are in need. Olie doesn’t have a social media presence, but if you would like to contact him and help, PM me and I will give you his address or phone number.

All of these examples speak to the essence of Jesus’ parable of The Good Samaritan and forever answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?”

If there ever was an occasion to follow that example and fulfill Paul’s command in Galatians 6:10 this is it. “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Neighbor helping neighbor.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman