by Frank Gunsallus
The following article was written by Easton Town Council President Frank Gunsallus on his recent trip to help victims of Hurricane Helene.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, I felt a deep sense of responsibility to step up and offer help to our fellow countrymen in need during such a challenging time.
L to R: Me, Danny Buchanan, Chief Dan Stiles, Barc Upchurch
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Perhaps it was the summers I spent in these hills as a child, visiting my grandparents, or the deep connection my family has to this land that stirred something within me. Or maybe it was simply the empathy I feel for others in times of crisis. After seeing heartbreaking videos of people suffering on social media, I knew I had to act. I picked up the phone and called Bob Grill with Disaster Aid USA to offer my help.
We met at DAUSA’s headquarters in Lanham, MD, and made a trip to Costco to stock up on much-needed supplies. With my Tahoe packed to the brim, I hit the road, heading south to North Carolina. After speaking with my grandfather and several cousins, I was able to connect with Pastor Joy Moss at Skyland United Methodist Church, where we began to coordinate our efforts.
Above: All loaded up!
Below: Stations of care packs being assembled.
After delivering the supplies to the church, we gathered a team from Skyland UMC, loaded several cars with care packs, and spent the next ten hours driving to different areas of Asheville to distribute much-needed items. It was a long day, but seeing the relief on people’s faces made every moment worth it.
When we returned to the church, Pastor Joy mentioned that with power being restored in some areas, there was now a need for essentials like milk and eggs. After reaching out to several local grocers, we realized that the closest place to find enough supplies was in Hickory, NC—an hour and a half away. Without hesitation, I made the drive, stopping at two different stores and buying all they would allow me to: 27 gallons of milk and 75 dozen eggs. It was a small sacrifice to help meet the needs of the community.
With Pastor Joy
On Sunday, after attending church and saying our goodbyes, I began my journey back to our beloved Eastern Shore. Before departing, Pastor Joy asked if I could make a stop in Swannanoa to check in with the distribution centers and assess their needs. I was happy to oblige. After gathering the necessary information, I texted the list to her and then made the long trip back to Maryland, reflecting on the strength of the communities I had just left and the importance of helping one another in times of need.
Sherye Nickerson, a fellow Rotarian from Easton, reached out and connected me with Danny Buchanan from the Double Island Volunteer Fire Department in Green Mountain, NC. Danny shared that they were urgently in need of a 7,500-watt generator and a side-by-side ATV for their search-and-rescue missions. I assured him I would do everything possible to help, though I anticipated it might take about a week to raise the necessary funds for such significant equipment.
Luckily, I was able to get in touch with a regional distributor, who generously provided a quote given the situation's urgency. Knowing that I’m not an expert on ATVs, I reached out to someone who is—Dave Wilson of Preston Automotive Group and Preston Powersports. After hearing about the need, Dave didn’t hesitate; he stepped up and donated the vehicle himself. What a guy! Incredibly, what I thought would require a week of fundraising was accomplished in just twelve hours.
While all of this was unfolding, I reached out to my fellow Rotarian, George Hatcher, to see if he could help find someone to copilot with me on the second trip. George didn’t miss a beat and brought Barc Upchurch, also a Rotarian, on board for the mission. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful I didn’t try to handle this alone. Barc’s company and his logistics expertise were invaluable, and I’m thankful for his support. We headed west on Route 50, crossed the Bay Bridge, and made our way south to Asheville, arriving just after 2 a.m.
L to R: Me, Bob Grill, Barc Upchurch at Preston Powersports
After catching a few hours of sleep, we had breakfast and then set out on the trek deep into the mountains to deliver the Kawasaki Mule. Along the way, we passed several military transport vehicles, a clear reminder of the scale of the recovery efforts in the area. It was a sobering but powerful experience as we made our way through the rugged landscape, knowing that the equipment we were delivering would play a crucial role in the ongoing rescue operations.
As you can see from the first picture in the email, we successfully delivered the Mule. After that, we navigated through the winding mountain roads and made our way into Tennessee, where we eventually caught Route 81 North. The journey through those mountains was breathtaking, a mix of natural beauty and the reality of the hard work still ahead for so many.
Sights like the one in the image above were all too common, making the drive nerve-wracking at times, as there was little room for error along much of the route (especially with oncoming traffic)! Trees that had been toppled by the dozens, or even hundreds in some areas, were simply cut where they blocked the road and piled along the roadside. The sheer volume of debris was astounding, a powerful reminder of the storm’s devastation and the immense recovery efforts still underway. This type of storm damage is seen from Florida through Virginia, and this was just from Hurricane Helene.
Disaster Aid USA has numerous teams on the ground, providing vital support in the states impacted by these powerful storm systems. If you'd like to contribute to DAUSA’s efforts and support the victims, I encourage you to do so by following the link below or by mailing a check to:
Disaster Aid USA
700 Port St. # 538
Easton, MD 21601
Thank you for helping and for sharing your story and the photographs.