By Marlene McTigue
Capital Region Independent Media
RAVENA — In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated areas of western North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky, families and communities were left scrambling for basic necessities. With roads blocked, power lines down, and clean water scarce, CDL driver Shawn Plante from Ravena saw an opportunity to help.
Plante, along with two companions, embarked on a mission to deliver supplies for both people and animals in the hurricane-hit areas. While the journey was an effort to provide relief, Plante soon discovered that navigating misinformation and local mistrust posed their own unique challenges.
Plante and his team traveled from New York to Asheville, North Carolina, with a trailer full of essential items such as pet food, baby formula, hygiene products, and even toys. The journey, expected to take 14 hours, stretched to 26 due to road closures and heavy cargo.
“It was an adventure, to say the least,” Plante said. “The roads were blocked in places, and the traffic was intense. But we made it, and every bit of the effort was worth it.”
COMMUNITY SUPPORT FUELS THE MISSION
The mission relied heavily on donations from upstate New York communities. Plante made stops in Schenectady and Chatham, where organizations and individuals help load his trucks and trailers with supplies. Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue provided critical animal supplies, while high school students from Long Island organized a large collection effort, adding to the cargo.
“We thought we had enough room for the Long Island donations, but by Friday evening, more and more kept coming in,” Plante said. “It ended up being a bunch of high school kids playing Jenga with the supplies to make it all fit.”
With his truck beds and trailers packed to the brim, Plante and his small team were determined to get the supplies to communities in need, not knowing what obstacles they would encounter along the way.
PARTNERING WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
Once in Asheville, Plante worked with local organizations to distribute the supplies. His first stop was the Appalachian Wildlife Rescue, where he delivered much-needed pet food and other supplies. He then moved on to Asheville Veterinary Associates, where Guardians of Rescue and Sister Kitten Animal Rescue had set up a donation station for local residents.
“They had a great system in place—people would pull up, tell them what they needed, and volunteers would hand out the supplies. It was efficient, and people really appreciated it,” Plante said.
NAVIGATING THE APPALACHIAN COMMUNITIES
As Plante ventured deeper into the Appalachian Mountain communities, he encountered a different set of challenges.
The deeply self-reliant residents were hesitant to accept help, and Plante noticed a reluctance to ask for supplies, even when they were clearly needed.
“The first person I talked to didn’t want anything to do with me or the supplies,” he said. “But the next guy, after I talked with him for a while, opened up and eventually mentioned the needs of community members.”
This was not the only obstacle Plante faced. He had been told that FEMA regulations required donations to be rerouted through a hub in South Carolina, preventing local fire departments and community centers from accepting donations directly. This information created confusion and frustration for Plante, who was determined to deliver supplies directly to communities in need.
However, an interview with Bernardsville Fire Chief Kevin Mundy later revealed that the information Plante received was inaccurate.
“I’m not aware of any FEMA requirement to reroute donations,” Mundy said. “We never had to refuse donations because of FEMA regulations. The only reason donations might have been turned away was if we were full and had nowhere to put them.”
This incident highlights a broader problem with misinformation during disaster relief efforts. In a region already mistrustful of outsiders, false information can easily spread, creating unnecessary barriers for volunteers like Plante who are just trying to help.
FINDING WORKAROUNDS
Despite the misinformation and logistical challenges, Plante remained determined to get his supplies to those who needed them.
After being directed to an old firehouse repurposed by a group of volunteers, Plante found a place to distribute donations. Though not an official FEMA site, the firehouse became a reliable location for delivering aid to the local community.
In one instance, Plante was able to provide a generator to an elderly woman who was relying on oxygen but had no power.
“I had one generator left, and a fire chief said, ‘I can’t take it as the fire chief, but I’ll take it as her neighbor,’” Plante recounted. “That’s the kind of spirit these communities have.”
REFLECTING ON THE MISSION
As Plante reflects on his journey, he acknowledges the challenges and the complexities of providing aid to self-reliant communities. However, he remains undeterred in his mission to help.
“If someone called me right now with more supplies and the gas money, I’d be on the road tonight,” he said.
While misinformation complicated Plante’s efforts, it didn’t stop him from making a significant impact. He continues contact with local volunteers.
“The people in the mountains are resilient, but they still need help,” Plante noted. “We’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of what’s needed for recovery.”
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE
While FEMA has a message on its website that says “do not self-deploy” to affected areas, Plante, through a network of volunteers, knew where he was headed and what was needed.
Mundy emphasized that while outside assistance can be valuable, it’s essential for volunteers to understand what is actually needed before bringing supplies. Mundy pointed out that bringing items without checking could lead to unnecessary deliveries.
“It would be wise to first call and see what they needed,” Mundy said.
He explained that some supplies, like bottled water, might already be in abundance, whereas other items like propane heaters or generators could be more helpful. As for current needs, Mundy added, “We’re doing OK… just about everybody’s got the power back on that’s able to get it at this point.”
He reiterated what Plante heard again and again — that they’re mostly self-sufficient, relying on wells or springs for water. His approach highlights the importance of coordinated, needs-based relief efforts to ensure resources reach those in need without overwhelming local distribution points, which he says is happening.
Those looking to help should reach out to local organizations or check social media for ongoing grassroots efforts.
“The work isn’t done,” Plante said. “We have to keep showing up.”
