Disaster Relief Recap: Southwire Activates Support Following Hurricane Helene

In the devastating wake of Hurricane Helene, Southwire’s Project GIFT jumped into action to support fellow team members and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.

In West Georgia

Project GIFT volunteers and community members worked to collect necessary resources for those affected by Hurricane Helene in the Douglas/Coffee County, Ga. area.

“It was a blessing to see the company I work for, the people I work with and the community I am a part of come together to help those in need. Amongst all the overwhelming devastation in Douglas, I saw a community coming together,” said Amber Bassett, total rewards coordinator and Project GIFT volunteer who helped deliver the supplies collected to south Georgia. “I left Douglas feeling blessed and empowered. I believe that I truly work for one of the greatest companies in the world! A company that shines a light on those in need and reminds me that there's hope in humanity when times get dark.”

Seven filled tractor trailers were successfully delivered and unloaded for distribution in Douglas, Ga. by volunteers from Southwire and the community.

“I have been part of Project GIFT collections in the past but have never been on the receiving end. It is truly inspiring the effort and support that goes into giving back,” said Brandon Linne, Douglas plant manager. “I received feedback from several of our team members regarding the pride they feel to work for a company that cares so much and tries so hard to support the people and communities we operate in. I couldn’t agree with them more.”

In Bremen, Indiana 

In addition, Southwire’s Bremen campus also rallied to collect supplies for those impacted by the storm.

One tractor trailer filled with food, water, hygiene products and more was delivered to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina supporting local communities affected by the hurricane.

In Douglas, Georgia

Days after the storm, many residents are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene which caused widespread power outages, downed trees and millions of dollars in property damage.

"In the wake of the storm, Douglas saw devastation that I have not seen in the 24 years that I have lived here. Homes, schools and businesses were affected by the aftermath with many still without lights and water. We are very grateful and thankful for Southwire’s generosity and for Project GIFT," said Sandy Sharpe, People & Culture manager at Southwire's Douglas site. "There was an outpouring of love when we saw the Project GIFT trucks roll into Douglas filled with vital supplies needed to help our community. You cannot begin to imagine how much this has meant to the Douglas community and to our team members. Thank you to all who helped make donations and who came to help in every way possible. Our team members have expressed many thanks and will forever be grateful."

"Our trip to Douglas was a humbling experience. I am fortunate to work for a company that allows me the flexibility to do my work and better serve my community and those around me," said Rae Herndon, certifications specialist. "The disaster relief recipients were beyond grateful for the provisions. Several people came to receive supplies but stayed all day lending a hand to unload the trucks and distribute supplies to their neighbors in need. At the end of a long day, we were sweat covered and tired, but it pales in comparison to those whose lives have been upended by Hurricane Helene, all because we were spared."

In Huntersville and Youngsville North Carolina

In Huntersville, volunteers collected items and funds while working with the local Chamber of Commerce. Southwire also partnered with disaster relief non-profit organization Heart with Hands to help get support to western North Carolina. 
In addition, volunteers at Youngsville also collected supplies to support western North Carolina. According to site leaders, volunteers collected enough to feed more than 200 people for the weekend.

Relief Efforts Still Going On

Multiple Southwire sites are still collecting items, including Hawesville, Ky. and Starkville Miss.

Items collected from these sites will be delivered to impacted communities in North Carolina.

Water Mission

Southwire partnered with Water Mission to collect monetary donations for impacted communities across the state of North Carolina.

More than $54,000 was raised from team members and community partners and will be sent to Water Mission so that they can help provide life-changing relief to those impacted throughout multiple cities in North Carolina.

One of Water Mission’s largest focus areas right now is providing gassed up generators and installing safe water systems in some of the hardest hit areas.

To learn more about Water Mission and how they respond to disasters across the world, please visit their website here.

A BIG Thank you

Businesses within Southwire’s communities stepped up in a big way to help support these efforts including the following and many more:

- CDT Construction 
- West Ga. Technical College 
- RaLin 
- Addison Smith 
- UPS Store, McIntosh Plaza 
- Grillo & Associates/GMS Planning 
- CM Tanner Grocery 
- City of Tallapoosa 
- Hightower Funeral Home 
- 3:16 Healthcare 
- Regal Nails Salon and Spa 
- Norton Financial 
- West Ga. Mobile Hydraulics 
- Pine Grove Baptist Church 
- Outback Forestry 
- CC Sheriff’s Department 
- Stewart House 
- First Franklin Financial

If you would like to contribute monetarily, there is still time! Please visit: https://cfwg.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1396 (please include “disaster relief” in the notes.)

For more information about Giving Back at Southwire, visit https://www.southwire.com/sustainability.