Hokies helping after Helene
Because we are Hokies, we have a drive to help others whenever we can. Our identity is rooted in service.
When Hurricane Helene unleashed its fury on Appalachia, leaving historic flooding in its wake, Hokie Nation showed its strength and commitment to serving others.
The storm wrought devastation on communities spanning Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina — well as Georgia and Florida. Together Hokies stepped up to help. Here’s a look at how.
CADETS PAUSE TRADITION TO AID HURRICANE CLEANUP
The Caldwell March is a rite of passage for first-year cadets. The 26-mile trek celebrates the journey of Addison Caldwell, who took the same path to become the first student and cadet to enroll at Virginia Tech.
But this year, service trumped tradition.
Instead of hiking the countryside in the storied Virginia Tech march, Corps of Cadet members packed up, loaded buses and traveled to Giles County. There they helped clean up in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
The regimental commander, Cadet Carson Manternach, a national security and foreign affairs major in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, told cadets of the change in plans, and two days later 10 sites in Giles County were identified for assistance.
“While Caldwell is a time-honored tradition, so is our basis of Ut Prosim, service, sacrifice, and leadership. It’s what we do, and this is our opportunity to live out those things that we talk about,” said Manternach.
A CONCERT FOR A DIFFERENT CAUSE
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Center for Rural Education postponed its annual Rural Education Summit for a year. But rather than canceling the scheduled evening entertainment, organizers proceeded with a different focus.
“We had planned to host Palmyra at the Lyric [Theatre] and the Downtown Divas at McClain’s [at First and Main] as ex-pressions of rural Queer joy for this year’s summit,” said Amy Price Azano, summit organizer, director of the Center for Rural Education and professor in the School of Education. “Rather than cancel the con- cert and drag show, we chose to pivot and hold community fundraisers to support those impacted by the hurricane.”
EXTENSION ASSESSES AGRICULTURAL DAMAGE TO HELP COMMUNITIES RECOVER
The Virginia Cooperative Extension reports damages from Hurricane Helene to farms and agricultural operations in Southwest Virginia could reach well over $125 million.
The damage estimates from the Extension are reported to local emergency managers and state and federal agencies as part of a coordinated effort to facilitate disaster response. Extension’s damage assessments help state and federal officials direct resources and allocate relief funding.
The losses include livestock, crops, farm buildings, equipment, feed and hay, fences, water cisterns, and other features that were washed away by flood- waters and damaged by high winds, falling trees, and debris. Cleanup efforts could take months, but the residual impacts could last much longer.
“It’s catastrophic,” said Kevin Spurlin, an Extension agent in Grayson County, who is a lifelong resident of the county. “I’m 47 years old, and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The flooding was unprecedented and caused so much loss.”
The preliminary estimate is based on the work of Extension agents in 16 of the most heavily impacted counties who spent the week after the September storm assisting their clients and communities.
In addition to agents and volunteers working in the affected communities, Virginia Cooperative Extension offers re- sources for people impacted by the storms and those seeking ways to help. Visit the VCE Hurricane Resources webpage for a regularly updated list of available resources and relief efforts in your community.
STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES ASSIST IN CLEANUP
Eggleston Springs Campground is idyllic and picturesque on most days. The campground was a far cry from that the day following Hurricane Helene, where an angry swollen river nearly destroyed the area.
A group of 13 Virginia Tech students and employees gathered at this spot to help with cleanup efforts in a familiar scene playing out throughout South- west Virginia, western North Carolina, and eastern Tennessee.
“I was in complete shock,” said Grace McHenry, a senior pursuing a degree in biological systems engineering. “My family and I go camping, and we have trailers like these [at the campground], and just to see them thrown about so easily. ... Those things are big, and it takes a lot of force.”
HELENE RECOVERY RESOURCES
VT Engage: The Center for Leadership and Service Learning at Virginia Tech has curated a webpage with information and links for local efforts as well as ways to connect with groups supporting the greater Appalachia region.
Hokie Wellness for Employees has crowdsourced a variety of numbers, links, and information sources for those affected by hurricane damage and those wishing to help in recovery efforts. This is shared on the Human Resources and Hokie Wellness for Employees pages and grouped according to region or affected Virginia counties, including Pulaski, Giles, Montgomery, and Floyd counties.