On Friday, October 4, Dr. Don Ledoux, of Turning Point Wellness Center, shared with his friend Eric Corriveau of CorriBuilders his desire to do something to help the people in North Carolina whose lives were changed forever by Hurricane Helene. Dr. Ledoux hoped to collect donations and bring them to the Asheville, N.C. area. Eric responded by offering his truck and work trailer and the dream blossomed. Saturday and Sunday were spent searching for organizations in the area where donations were needed most. Finally, on Monday morning there were two options.
The first of three trucks being loaded with the donations collected for the Hurricane Helene relief effort. The picture shows a fraction of the donations made. Pictured from l-r, First Selectman Colin Moll, Dave Shute, Emma Stanawick, George Fields and John Lambert.
We needed a staging area where people could bring their donations. Without hesitation Commander Bill Moryto of VFW Post 9544 and George Fields of Suffield Hardware said yes, we could use their locations. Dave Shute of Shute-n-Safe, and Angelo Marinone said, “I’m in”! Art Diaz of Eagle Rivet offered his trailer, Sophie Belanger, Eric’s wife, and Brendan Malone hit Suffield Forum and Facebook. Social media and word of mouth took over.
On Tuesday morning, the 8th, there were donations at both locations by 8 a.m., and they didn’t stop until Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. When it was clear another truck was necessary, John Lambert of Lambert Landscaping offered his truck and trailer and Michael Alexopoulos, Jr. offered to be his co-pilot.
We were still packing and taping boxes while the THREE trucks and trailers were being loaded. Adults and children brought everything that was requested and more. Cash and check donations totaled $7,192.54.
Late Wednesday afternoon we got the word that the spots we picked to deliver were at capacity and turning trucks away. With a prayer, the trucks left Suffield at 4:00 a.m. anyway. Finally, at 10:00 a.m. Dr. Don spread the word that God’s Warehouse in Tennessee was expecting them that afternoon. What a relief!
The trucks were unloaded at three locations; God’s Warehouse, Morristown, Tenn.; Parrottsville Church of God, Parrottsville, Tenn.; and Hearts With Hands, Swannanoa, N.C. The drivers said it was a very emotional two days.
It would be impossible to name everyone who helped with this effort, and some did not want recognition, but they ALL touched our hearts. Even so, allow us to name a few and please forgive us if we missed you. In no specific order: The drivers and co-pilots of the trucks: Eric Corriveau, Dr. Don Ledoux, Dave Shute, Angelo Marinone, John Lambert, Michael Alexopoulos, Jr.; Art Diaz for his trailer; First Selectman Colin Moll, George Fields, Commander Bill Moryto; Brendan Malone, Kristi Fields, Kim Shute, Amy Morris, Josephine Lingua, Matt Nowack, and Sophie Belanger for accepting and sorting donations; Jeanine Christian for doing a Costco run, Corbin Adzigireg for her help in searching for an organization in South Carolina; Caroline and Cara Alexopoulos for securing a place for the drivers to sleep (hotel rooms were donated); Modern Designs Salon for being another drop off location; Joel Maclay for supplying the trucks with spare gas cans; Suffield Pizza for feeding the drivers; and the employees of Suffield Hardware for their patience while we took over their space.
This effort would not have been successful without the kindness of those who donated, whose names we will never know and who gave from their hearts to people they will never meet. Thank you.