
Kenneth and Karla McClendon
The last days of September included a historic hurricane across the entire Southeastern Carpenters Regional Council jurisdiction. The Category 4 Hurricane Helene registered blinding rain and winds reaching 140 miles per hour. This was the deadliest hurricane to hit mainland USA since Katrina in 2005.
The widespread, catastrophic damage affected many members of the SECRC. As the storm lifted and its wake of destruction surfaced, staff and leadership of the SECRC jumped into action.
There were multiple instances of brothers and sisters helping fellow members, including two significant boosts from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters.
Rodney Brewers (left) and Logan Brown (right)
Funded by UBC Local Unions, business partners, and Regional Councils, the UBC’s Helping Hands program provides grants to members facing adverse circumstances. SECRC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Tom Jenkins worked with UBC Southern District Vice President Jason Engels to secure two grants for $20,000 each for two Local 1263 families. Jenkins was alerted to the need by Local 1263 Council Representatives Robert Strickland and Logan Brown.
Kenneth and Karla McClendon, both members of Local 1263, are using their $20,000 grant to offset the cost of replacing the home and belongings lost in the storm. Brother Rodney Brewers is using his check for similar purposes.
Additional stories of members helping members include a joint effort to help Local 1263 member Stacey Williams. He was working out of town when the storm hit and damaged his home. Fellow member Jamie Moore and his wife, and Logan Brown and his son, Trevor, teamed up to get Stacey’s property free of the trees and other debris, including a tree entangled in a power line.
Comeback Coolers stocked by Local 318 members
Local 1263 Council Representative Robert Strickland and his son, Reese, volunteered in the Soperton, Vidalia, and Swainsboro, Georgia areas to help clear roadways and yards.
In Alabama, Carpenters Local Union No. 318 teamed with the non-profit “Comeback Coolers” to collect items needed for hurricane victims in the Pelham area.
Comeback Coolers is an organization that delivers ice-packed coolers with drinks, beer, oranges, and wet wipes to storm-ridden areas. It also provides coolers specifically for children and non-alcoholic coolers for adults.
Local 318 Council Representative Jay Schuelly and Jessalyn Michelle Taylor, the Local’s Sisters-in-the-Brotherhood coordinator, coordinated a competition among Local 318 job sites to see which could fill the most coolers.
The Local purchased the coolers and asked members to supply them. Contents include beverages, oranges, flashlights, and baby wipes. Child coolers include crayons, stuffed animals, and other small toys.
After putting the coolers together, Local 318 members took the time to write messages of encouragement for the recipients.
“These are all great examples of our motto, ‘Stronger Together.’ The dedication of our members to their fellow brothers and sisters is to be admired and emulated,” said EST Jenkins.
“Well done, everyone!”