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Contributed by Doe River Gorge Staff

In the 13 days since Helene brought floodwaters to the Hampton area, inspiring acts of generosity and kindness have risen in equal measure. Doe River Gorge staff members have worked alongside multiple organizations, local residents, churches, friends, and neighbors to provide relief and support. Volunteers continue to pour in with more calling to ask how to help.

The recovery efforts will continue for many months, and the needs are dynamic. Doe River Gorge is committed to helping with relief efforts by keeping the public connected to the work God is doing in the community as well as offering the DRG property to support large-scale meal prep and housing/staging areas for volunteer groups. 

Though the situation is rapidly changing, DRG staff has been working closely with Red Stone Church in Elizabethton.

On Friday, Sept. 27,  Doe River Gorge staff were assessing flood water risks and working to move items in the water’s path. By late afternoon, efforts shifted to helping in the community. Joel Hurst helped emergency personnel with swift water rescues while Jennifer, Riley and Reece Vernon, Ivi Williams, Theo Fadrow, and Brooke Crabeel helped an injured woman named Ruby get medical care and animal rescue support for her dog. Ryan Vernon drove a backhoe down to Hampton and worked with local police to clear 19E of logs, mud, trash, small sheds, dumpsters, and many other items of debris from the roads for rescue workers. He continued clearing until after dark with the help of Riley and Ivi following with the truck and light bar. They cleared 321 at the Shell/Trout Farm/Dollar General, too, before turning efforts toward First Street. Due to high water levels, clearing on Spring Street was not possible at that time. 

By the following day, staff joined Doug and Monica Calhoun’s son and his family on Spring Street. They had lost nearly their entire ground floor belongings. They packed up all salvageable personal belongings and relocated them to storage. Next, they rallied around Jerry Poole, a friendly face to many as the former greeter at the Elizabethton Chick-fil-A. He had spent the night in wet clothing in a lawn chair at the edge of his property defending his home from potential looters. A set of clothing was found and provided, which he put on immediately given the dropping evening temperatures, and everyone set to work clearing mud and debris as darkness fell. Jill, Jennifer, and Ivi provided a home-cooked meal, and Jerry adamantly acknowledged God’s goodness despite the complete loss of his home, vehicles, and most importantly his Bible. Jennifer brought him a Bible from her mother, Verna Price, who wanted him to have it, which Jerry tearfully accepted. God’s provision for the restoration of Jerry’s home continues with the help of Red Stone Church and Jerry’s friend Courtney Dailey who has shared encouraging stories of God’s provision via social media videos. 

Several staff are connected with Red Stone Church Elizabethton’s pastor, Jerry Williams, who quickly rallied and organized volunteers to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those with the greatest need. Red Stone Elizabethton is affiliated with several area churches – Red Stone Johnson City, Redeemer, Tri-Cities Baptist, and Hampton Community Church – through the nonprofit organization, Planting Appalachia Churches (PAC). 

Red Stone Elizabethton, in partnership with the other PAC churches, have adopted several families directly impacted by the flood waters and will continue to support them until their homes are restored to turnkey condition. Doe River Gorge will remain closely connected through Full Time Staff involved in those churches and will be supporting their boots-on-the-ground efforts in Hampton. Volunteer sign-ups will be forthcoming. Once compliance with FEMA guidelines for residents is complete, the real work to rebuild will begin, and staff will be publishing needs and volunteer opportunities as soon as they become available.

On Friday, Sept. 27, as the floodwaters receded, Rosie, owner of Second Hand Rose Consignment in Hampton, quickly recognized the need for food. She asked the local Masonic Lodge near her shop to open their meeting room and commercial kitchen and used her own food to provide hot meals, rallying neighbors to help. With a dedicated group of local friends, Rosie emptied her freezer and served two hot meals a day to ensure no one went hungry. As donations poured in, Rosie and her crew, along with help from DRG’s Cara Carr and Sarah McCoy, sorted and organized, transforming the lodge into a resource center where locals could access clothing, food, heaters, baby supplies, and water – all for free

Rosie and her husband, David, have laid plans to continue the relief efforts for at least the next two months. The Hampton Lodge has become the hub for locals in need, so Jennifer Vernon, full-time DRG staff, will be helping to consolidate assistance opportunities here as the needs change daily.. 

Doe River Gorge will continue to partner with Red Stone Church in Elizabethton.