McDowell Technical Community College students continue to show remarkable resilience and a spirit of generosity and togetherness following local and regional devastation from Hurricane Helene in the mountains of Western North Carolina. When college classes were cancelled in the immediate aftermath of the storm, students from throughout the college volunteered daily in the relief efforts and supply distribution jointly coordinated by MTCC President Dr. J.W. Kelley and McDowell County Schools Superintendent Tracy Grit in a warehouse adjacent to the college’s Universal Advanced Manufacturing Center.
But when the college re-opened last week, students had to return to classes, labs, work-based learning and other educational settings. However, for several students in the college’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program, their return to required clinical experiences became yet another opportunity to serve those most impacted by the storm.
An agency with whom the nursing students had typically practiced their clinical skills was not quite ready for students to return to their facility after the disaster. But thanks to the creativity and ingenuity of MTCC Nursing Instructor and Simulation Coordinator Kim Crawley, students quickly pivoted to utilize their clinical time on Thursday in a service-learning experience, assisting in a regional distribution center in a neighboring community.
Crawley and her nursing students worked alongside other volunteers in a converted warehouse at Maynard Electrical Company in Morganton, NC, unloading trucks filled with donated relief supplies and assembling pallets filled with all manner of essential provisions bound for hard-hit areas throughout Western North Carolina still in desperate need of help. Over 20 pallets were packed and shipped to Asheville, Boone and Banner Elk during their time at the center.
In addition to basic necessities—like diapers, baby wipes, baby food, hygiene products, clothes, tents, tools, grills, charcoal, and sleeping bags—students packed outbound pallets with children’s toys, coloring books, crayons, books and board games.
“In disaster situations, it is just as important to provide comfort items for children to support their emotional health as it is to provide physical necessities,” said Dr. Kim Amos, Director of Nursing Education at McDowell Tech. “It helps bring some sense of normalcy to their lives, as well as relief to their parents and caregivers during difficult and stressful times.” In addition, they packed Bibles to provide spiritual support to those in need.
Crawley and her students demonstrated teamwork, collaboration, and provided love and support to those suffering through this crisis, said Amos. After helping a family from New Jersey unload a trailer full of donations, including chain saws and clothing, the family decided to stay and assist the volunteers, even offering their RV as a place to cook meals for volunteers, furthering a sense of community throughout the day.
The staff at Maynard Electric Company were incredibly appreciative of the help from Instructor Crawley and her nursing students. They took special notice of the hard work and dedication of nursing student Cassandra Burgess and even offered her a job that day. Although the experience was not traditional bedside nursing, it evolved into a deeply rewarding community health experience. “I couldn’t be prouder of my students for their hard work, compassion, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of those affected by Hurricane Helene,” said Instructor Crawley.
For more information about Associate Degree or Practical Nursing Programs at McDowell Technical Community College, contact Dr. Kim Amos, Director of Nursing Education, at 828-659-0479, or email [email protected].
For volunteer opportunities or donation information, email McDowell Cares at [email protected] or contact Maynard Electric Company at 828-544-5056.
