[ wv strong ]
Editor’s Note: Thank you to all who submitted names of individuals and organizations that volunteered in the wake
of the 2016 flood. While we could not print the full list, the names submitted by our readers can be found on our
website at www.wvexecutive.com/acts-of-kindness. Please note that this online list was submitted by our readers and
is not a comprehensive list provided by any state, federal or volunteer agencies.
Photo by MDS Photos.
Photo by Alabama Athletics.
Photo by Duracell
PowerForward.
Photo by
Kanawha-Charleston
Humane Association.
Acts of
Kindness
The Faces of Flood Relief
In the wake of the June 2016 flood, thousands of volunteers
from across the country poured in with donations, ready to work.
Volunteer West Virginia’s volunteer reception centers in Clay,
Kanawha, Greenbrier and Nicholas counties logged more than
3,900 volunteers, contributing over 56,094 service hours, and
this is just a small glimpse into the number of volunteers and
hours of service amassed in the Mountain State over the past year.
West Virginia Executive (WVE) asked its readers to provide the
names of stand-out organizations that went above and beyond
to help affected families get back on their feet, and the response
was overwhelming—a true testament of the Mountaineer spirit.
From these submissions, WVE chose to highlight the following
eight organizations from around the country to say thank you.
38
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
SAMANTHA CART
Duracell
Perhaps one of the most recognizable posts on social media
during the days following the flood was the picture of the Duracell
truck with the caption, “West Virginia, we’re on our way.”
According to Disaster Response Coordinator Mike Winn,
Duracell’s PowerForward disaster relief program has a five-ve-
hicle fleet stationed at four hubs across the U.S. always ready
to respond to communities impacted by natural disasters.
The PowerForward team that came to West Virginia last summer
from the New Hampshire hub consisted of three members: Will
Vaughn, Joe Carter and Winn. The team worked within the impacted
communities for four days, providing 13,000 free Duracell bat-
teries as well as personal PowerMat chargers and mobile phone
charging via the Rapid Responder. The team positioned the truck
at shelters and distribution centers like the Kroger parking lot in
Rainelle, Old White Motor Service and Bethesda Church in White
Sulphur Springs and Smith’s Foodfair in Clendenin.
“It was truly an honor to be able to serve the residents of West
Virginia,” says Winn. “During our time there, we were witness to
countless citizens from around the state rallying together in support
of one another when they needed it the most. Thank you to all for
your help and hospitality. Your resiliency and determination to
recover were an inspiration to the Duracell PowerForward team.”