From left, Eric Parkhurst and Brian Burns sitting on the edge of the truck containing donations for the hurricane victims.
 By Bonnie Hobbs   

After Hurricane Helene dealt a devastating blow to Western North Carolina – washing away homes and livelihoods and leaving many residents and businesses without drinkable water or electricity – American Legion Post 177 in Fairfax City just had to do something. So it began collecting items for the victims and then delivering them.

“A lot of people here have friends and family in North Carolina, and we wanted to help out,” said Brian Burns, the post’s third vice commander. “And so did everyone else.”

“We’ve been working directly with the North Carolina National Guard,” said post Commander Eric Parkhurst. “Each week, I call and ask them what’s needed that week, and we collect it and drive it to them in a rental truck.”

They’ve made three trips so far – on Oct. 11, 20 and 25 – and will make their last one this Friday, Nov. 1. “The first delivery went to Marion, N.C., for distribution to rural, mountain areas in McDowell County,” said Burns. “We brought items including blankets, water and clothing – which we sorted first. And once others found out about our collection efforts, it just exploded from there.”

“Through email and a Facebook post, we sent word to the other American Legion posts in Northern Virginia,” said Parkhurst. “There are 16 total posts in District 17, which is our district, and they really came through.” But that’s not all. Burns said the donations they’ve received from the local community have also been heartwarming.

“Neighborhood associations shared information about our donation drive on their own, online neighborhood groups and on other social-media outlets,” said Parkhurst. And a sign outside Post 177 at 3939 Oak Street tells passersby that it’s a location for hurricane-relief drop-offs. 

Anyone wishing to donate supplies, cash or checks to aid this humanitarian project may do so until Oct. 31, from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Checks payable to American Legion Post 177 may be brought or mailed to the post at 3939 Oak St., Fairfax VA 22030. For more information about the drive, email info@fairfaxpost177.org or call 703-273-2250.

Parkhurst said the National Guard was “really appreciative” of the first load of supplies they delivered. For the second round, it requested oil-filled, electric space heaters because, he explained, “People who’d gotten their electricity back needed this type, instead of propane heaters. Since propane is so volatile, it’s not safe to transport it on Western North Carolina’s ripped-up roads.”

“Lowe’s came through and gave us a 20-percent discount on everything, so we were able to send 48 heaters,” continued Parkhurst. “We also delivered hand and foot warmers, winter socks and nonperishable food, such as canned goods, cereal, crackers, etc. The Fairfax City Safeway gave us $8,000 worth of food for $5,500.”

Financial donations have helped make all these purchases possible, as well. As of last Friday, Oct. 25, said Parkhurst, Post 177 had received $26,000 in monetary contributions, enabling it to deliver some 30,000 pounds of hurricane-relief gear and supplies.

“On the Oct. 20 trip, we sent down hand tools – shovels, rakes, sledgehammers and axes – plus at least 500 pair of work gloves, to help with the cleanup,” he said. “And right now, bleach and gallon sprayers are the big things especially needed for mold remediation.”

“We also sent N95 masks for the workers and residents to wear for their protection,” said Burns. “Most of the donated items we received were brand new. People actually went out and bought stuff new – just to donate – which I think is pretty cool.”

“Last week’s load went to Yancey County,” said Parkhurst. “A power plant there and another one nearby were severely damaged, and they’re not expecting people there to have electricity until the end of December/beginning of January. So the big push currently is for generators and 1-pound canisters of propane for cooking. In addition, Holtzman Propane is donating 100-pound propane tanks so people can heat their homes, and they’re also delivering it for us to North Carolina.”

Furthermore, American Legion Post 177 is also working with Northern Virginia Generator in Chantilly, in hopes of being able to purchase generators to donate to Western North Carolina residents desperate for some kind of power. “They’re giving us 3,600-watt generators for $205 each – normally, they’re $650 to buy commercially,” said Parkhurst. “But we have to buy 100 generators to get the deal, and we’re $10,000 short right now. So we really need monetary donations to make it possible.”

Meanwhile, the truck they drove to Marion, in Boone County, last Friday contained about 200 propane canisters, 1 pound each, plus some $10,000 worth of food, blankets, sorted clothing, diapers, wipes, space heaters, camp stoves and two 76-case pallets of water.

Burns said the response this post has received so far to its hurricane-relief supply drive hasn’t surprised him because “we’re a veterans’ organization and want to help others.”

Parkhurst, though, said he was overwhelmed by it and was even more amazed by all the donations they’ve received from the local community. “Everybody’s stressed by the tough economy and the upcoming election and its divisiveness,” he said. “But they still dug deep and went out and bought things to help other people. Some people who have never set foot in here – or even heard of the American Legion – came in to donate.”

“Six healthcare workers from the nearby Fairfax County Health Department came by last week and spent about 40 minutes helping us load the truck,” said Burns.

“When the truck pulls up, whoever’s here helps load it,” added Parkhurst. “And our older veterans have helped sort items, tape and label boxes – which makes it much easier for the National Guard when we drop them off.”

All in all, said Burns, “I’m extremely proud of the Legion, our fellow veterans and this post for making a difference for the hurricane victims.”

“Even some of our members we don’t see on a regular basis have come in to help and to watch our post come together as one for this mission,” added Parkhurst. “And ultimately, that’s what we’re all about.”