SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. – In response to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene on North Carolina, KZ Recreational Vehicles, a leading manufacturer of RVs, has stepped up to provide crucial support to a volunteer team aiding in disaster relief efforts, according to a company release.
On Friday, Sept. 27, Hurricane Helene brought historic rainfall, flooding, strong winds, and tornadoes to the state, causing significant damage, particularly in the western Appalachian region of North Carolina. In the aftermath, many families were left without homes, and local infrastructure was severely damaged.
Blue River Covenant Brethren Church (CBC) from Columbia City, Ind., organized a volunteer trip to Watauga County, North Carolina, to support Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, a nondenominational Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to people in crisis around the world, in assisting homeowners affected by the storm. However, the team was struggling with funding and temporary housing shortages, which threatened to derail their efforts.
KZ Recreational Vehicles and its division Venture RV were able to step in and offer a solution. Dave Boggs, General Manager of Venture RV, and Paul Gingerich, KZ Quality Control Manager, who attends Blue River Covenant Brethern Church, discussed the challenges faced by the volunteer team and brainstormed ways to help. Boggs proposed offering KZ’s camping units, which are typically used for personal use by KZ employees and their families at a local campground during the summer months.
The team encountered numerous challenges throughout the process,” said Paul Gingerich. “However, each obstacle was overcome, thanks to generous donations, including vehicles to tow the campers and financial contributions for food and travel. The KOA campground, originally set to close on October 30th, extended its closing date to November 2nd to accommodate the volunteers. The way everything came together so quickly was nothing short of a miracle.”
With the approval of KZ’s leadership team, including Marlene Snyder, VP of Sales and Marketing, and Lynn Stutzman, Director of Operations, the company loaned two travel trailers to support the volunteer team’s efforts in North Carolina. Gingerich was tasked with overseeing communications and logistics with the volunteer group, and once all donations were secured, a team of 10 volunteers, including KZ employee David Miller, Plant 6, made their way to North Carolina in late October. The team spent three days helping with cleanup efforts, including mudding out homes and clearing trees.
“We are deeply grateful to KZ RV and Venture RV for their generous support in providing the loaner travel trailers,” said Dave Kreider, Trip Coordinator for Blue River CBC. “Thanks to their kindness, we were able to stay on site and continue our important work with Samaritan’s Purse, assisting those impacted by Hurricane Helene.”
The donation of the travel trailers underscores KZ RV’s strong commitment to community support and disaster relief. The volunteer team’s efforts have had a significant and lasting impact on those affected by Hurricane Helene. The loaner trailers were crucial in providing the necessary resources for volunteers to carry out their work efficiently and effectively.
To support ongoing relief efforts in North Carolina, donations and volunteers are still needed. Those who wish to contribute can do so through the following organizations:
For more information about KZ Recreational Vehicles and its award-winning product lines, visit www.kz-rv.com.
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