Federal officials are stepping in to aid the thousands without power, homes, or basic needs following devastating flooding in West Virginia last week. But one Virginian is stepping up and doing what she can to help those recovering, loading up a tractor trailer with supplies, and heading home.
When Virginia state trooper Angie Shaffier checked Facebook last Sunday, she was shocked by the images and stories from friends and family back in Greenbrier, West Virginia -- where she grew up.
“Not long after, we started to see the devastation and talking about people being lost," Shaffier says. "And then my parents are actually on higher ground, but they lost power too, so when the flood waters rise to where people in the outskirts of the county start to lose power and phone lines -- you know it’s bad.”
So in a split second, she decided she was going to help.
“It started out, my thought was to fill my pick-up truck," Shaffier says. "And I got on Facebook and asked if anyone wanted to send anything back home when I went, and I knew soon after that that my truck was going to be full real quick.”
Now Shaffier is well on her way to filling up a 53-foot truck, donated by Cox transportation. She's collecting everything from water and food, to cleaning supplies, to beds and couches. The supplies will get taken to the sports complex at the Greenbrier resort.
“When it gets to where it’s going, there are people there that have the means to unload it. And they have it set up so they can distribute it from there,” says Donna Simmons.
Simmons is a friend of Shaffier’s and fellow West-Virginia transplant who has been helping the effort.
“I guess the thing is, it’s one of those places that everybody knows everybody, everybody’s going to come together to try to help," Simmons says. "It’s heartbreaking to be here and have them go through that. You know? Because I have family there, the same that Angie has family there. No matter where I live West Virginia will always be home. It is a place where the people are genuine and true and will do anything for you.”
And it’s that spirit, along with all the physical goods, that will get loaded up in this truck and driven home to West Virginia, this weekend.
The Red Cross is also seeking donations to provide support to West Virginians affected by flooding.