Lexington County Volunteers Build Refuge Shelters for Western NC
When Hurricane Helene ripped through the Southeast at the end of September, the storm left many without power for hours and for some stretching into days. While the Lexington County area was hit hard with power outages, uprooted trees, and property damage, South Carolina’s northern neighbor faced intense damage particularly, in western North Carolina.
Many churches, organizations, and individuals became the hands and feet of God providing donations and food across the Midlands and North Carolina. However, one individual and his church in Leesville saw a need and chased it down, building 10- foot by 15-foot refuge shelters for those displaced by the hurricane.
Curtis Fink is a member of Convent Baptist Church. With the support of Convent Baptist Church’s Pastor Travis Crumpton and many community and business volunteers, 12 shelters have been sent to the Swannanoa area.
Fink said the volunteers have stepped up and helped with the shelters as many are living in tents or campers with heaters or generators. The rescue shelters have insulation and electrical outlets as well as light. It’s also big enough to hold a couple of twin mattresses, Fink said.
“We added a small electrical area to plug in a generator. It has a light switch and a light; just things to help keep people alive,” said Fink.
“Campsites are still up there. The path of destruction is unbelievable,” said Fink. “The rock embankments underneath the earth look like the Rocky Mountains underneath dirt. It just blows my mind the amount of water we saw,” he shared.
Fink’s nonprofit organization, GodSpeed SC, has provided support for people when other hurricanes and storms have hit. Fink said he has been to Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, and across the Carolinas for other disaster relief and humanitarian efforts. However, the Helene storm destroyed property and caused flooding that was not expected in the mountainous towns taking people by surprise while leaving many people without walls and a roof.
“It’s great to see the community come together and make a difference,” said Pastor Crumpton. “I am thankful to be a part of it. The church has the heart to help. The only way people can see God’s heart is to see the work in the community.”
Fink is amazed at the volunteers and donors who have supported this endeavor. D&T Steel has helped with logistics, Todd Bolton with Synergy has helped with insulation, and other businesses and individuals have donated supplies, donation boxes, and many other needs.
While Fink and a plethora of volunteers were building shelters in Lexington County other people are also doing similar work in other areas for those displaced by the storm. For instance, Fink is working with a nonprofit, Cabins 4 Christ. This organization has also built rescue shelters for people displaced by the hurricane.