Towson, MD – Answering a call for help from fellow Americans in western North Carolina who are struggling to recover from severe flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, a team of colleagues from the automotive industry joined forces to provide relief. The team included Brian Crouch, Service Adviser with Brooks-Huff Tire & Auto Centers, Fred Wenker, Butch Brooks, Ben Matthews and Chris Evans with Metro Investigation & Recovery Solutions, Inc. (MIRS, Inc.) and Platinum Auto & Truck Center. Their mission was to organize relief efforts by coordinating with local businesses and groups to fill trailers with essential supplies.
Additional organizations played a crucial role in supporting the mission. Local businesses such as Berry Patch Early Learning Center in Hampstead and Leaps & Bounds Learning Center in Parkville pitched in by serving as donation drop-off points.
Brooks-Huff Tire & Auto Center stacking all the donations.
The team departed at 11:00 PM on the evening of October 25, with their first planned stop in Tennessee. To their surprise, they were turned away at this location due to an abundance of donations that had already arrived. Celebrating this sign of overwhelming support, the team continued their journey to Burnsville, North Carolina, even after experiencing a flat tire along the way. Thanks to the assistance of Platinum Auto & Truck Center and MIRS, Inc., they were able to continue smoothly despite this middle-of-the-night setback.
Pickup truck full of donated items by the Republican Women of Baltimore County coordinated by member Linda Eminizer.
One organizer shared, “We made sure to keep this effort transparent. There was no affiliation with any organization or charity – this was a small group of people wanting to help however we could. We are deeply grateful to the companies we work for, the communities we’re a part of, and the people who supported us. At Brooks-Huff drop-off locations, people came from as far away as Maryland's Eastern Shore, Harrisburg, PA, and Charleston, WV.”
Social media and word of mouth were instrumental in rallying support and spreading the word about the donation centers. “A special thanks to everyone who shared our posts and contributed,” said Brian Crouch, a key organizer. “Each person who pitched in is a star who made this effort possible.” Donations poured in from individuals, communities, local businesses, organizations, and church groups. Reflecting on the community's dedication, Crouch added, “We couldn’t be more grateful for how our community came together to support our neighbors to the south.”
Key Organizers and Contributors:
- Organizers: Fred Wenker, Chris Evans, Butch Brooks, Ben Matthews, and Brian Crouch
- Drivers/Transport Team: Fred Wenker, Chris Evans, and Butch Brooks
Special shout out to MIRS, Inc., not only provided the trucks and trailers but also covered fuel costs and hotel accommodations for the volunteers delivering the donations.
Staging the vehicles for delivery.
This successful relief effort underscores the power of community and compassion, demonstrating how individuals and businesses can unite in times of crisis. Every participant, from organizers to donors, came together as neighbors helping neighbors, delivering hope and essential resources to those in need. Through this effort, they proved that even in the face of natural disasters, kindness and generosity can overcome any obstacle.
Drivers/Transport Team: Fred Wenker, Chris Evans, and Butch Brooks
Saturday October 26, 2024 trucks arrived in North Carolina.
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