Groce United Methodist Church and Haw Creek Commons were honored by HCCA, at our public board meeting on November 21, for their community-minded response to tropical storm Helene. On hand from the Commons was Patrick Neitzey, Campus Pastor, and from Groce UMC, Pastor Jill Rhinehart and True Morse, Chair of the Groce Leadership Team. 

True Morse, who was involved in the response effort hands-on, reported that what occurred in response to the Helene disaster would not have happened if not for all the community volunteers who showed up and pitched in. Everyone agrees that about 75% of the volunteers were not members of Groce. He said, "For us at Groce it really opened our eyes to see how much more we can accomplish for our community through doing more with and through community partners instead of defaulting to thinking it has to be done primarily through members of Groce."

The key partnership that occurred during this crisis was with the leaders of Grateful Village / Chances for Children Carolinas: Tracey Stebbing, Anna Harrelson and Marsha van Rijssen. Tracey was the genius in the supplies room and Marsha (who also is a key volunteer at Groce's weekly Welcome Table and leads the Prom Dress Exchange for high school students) was the leader of the meals effort. The effort all started when Marsha contacted Jill that Monday morning and said "We might as well cook and serve the food in the freezers and refrigerators before it spoils."

Chances for Children Carolinas are engaging with the Reynolds school district to help children and youth in need due to this disaster, expanding what they had already been doing. HCCA members may want to support the important storm relief work they're undertaking.

At Haw Creek Commons, Chef and Kitchen Manager EJ Mochrie, and Community Coordinator Linden Lingle, together with Peter Lorenz Cubmaster of Scout Troop 4, helped transform the Commons into a relief and aid center. Among others who stepped up were Emily Oldenburg (Troop 4 parent) and Pat Smith who helped organize an outside effort to secure supplies.

The teachers at Haw Creek Elementary School volunteered often and checked on individual families in need. Pack 4 Cub Scouts and Troop 4 Scouts and their parents also helped in many ways. Haw Creek dog walkers relayed community needs. And from elsewhere, the Cajun Navy, North Wilkesboro Speedway, and the Disaster Relief Donation Center of ASU in Hickory, all provided important and timely supplies.

HCCA is grateful to all the community volunteers who provided their skills, labor and love to support their neighbors during the recovery from this disaster.