Friends,
Many of you have been asking about ways to help respond to the hurricane disaster that has occurred in western North Carolina. I personally have numerous close friends and my wife’s family in the mountains of North Carolina and this tragedy has struck home for many of them. One of the hardest things of all is feeling helpless, but knowing they need our help at the same time. This is a normal feeling in these situations.
As a North Carolina based business, the Bland Landscaping Company leadership team is investigating ways that we can respond and provide effective aid moving forward. The recovery is going to be a marathon, not a sprint and the need is going to grow as time goes forward and rebuilding begins. In my opinion, now is the time to let trained professional aid organizations and others who are already present do their work. For example, my good friends in Swannanoa lost neighbors to mudslides and their homes are not safe. They have been getting meals from World Central Kitchen and distributing them throughout their community. World Central Kitchen has set up massive kitchen tents in the local park with a helicopter landing zone and they are using their expertise to bring in professional emergency aid providers, and supplies. I have personally decided to help by making a gift to world Central kitchen led by Jose Andres. They do incredible work all over the world all of the time. I have friends working with them locally.
We are landscapers, not trained first responders, and there are so many people going into Western North Carolina to provide assistance right now that they are creating a burden on actual emergency response systems. People are going up there without proper supplies and inadequate shelter, causing further strain on the local communities they are trying to help.
Please be patient as we come up with a thoughtful approach to how we can help the western part of our state. Jumping into the thick of things without proper preparations, may solve any emotional need, but it is not the most effective way to make a positive impact under these circumstances.
Sincerely,
Kurt
Kurt H. Bland
President/CEO
Bland Landscaping Company
UPDATE ON STAGE ONE DISASTER RELIEF FOR WNC
I am proud of my team, and their actions in my absence speak volumes. If you wish to drop off any of these requested supplies at one of our offices across the state of NC, we will welcome your contributions.
BLC and Foster’s employees,
To piggyback off of Kurt’s email and in an effort to provide a coordinated response to help those in the western part of the state, we are going to work within regions to provide support. There are some absolutely heartbreaking stories coming out of that area and I know that many of you have friends and family that have been affected. If you would like to help, and are able, please see below for some additional information.
For the Triangle Region, which also includes the coast, we are working with a local Fire Department in Stoval. They will be sending tractor trailer loads of supplies starting this Friday the 4th with flights to more difficult places to access on Saturday and Sunday. This will be ongoing until the need goes away. Thanks again to Eric Mote for helping to coordinate this alongside his farther.
Please do not deviate from the below list of specific items they are requesting:
- Bottled water
- Sports drinks
- Baby wipes
- Diapers
- Baby Formula
- Plastic utensils
- Manual can openers
- Trash Bag – Contractor Bags
- Non- perishable foods
- Cleaning Supplies
- Tarps
- Plastic sheeting
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Toiletries/Sanitary items
- Pet Food
- Hand Sanitizers
- Sanitary wipes
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Work gloves
- Unopened NEW packs of socks
- Unopened New packs of underwear
- First aid supplies
For the Greater Charlotte Region, including Greensboro, we are working with BOMA Charlotte. NOTE that they do not want bottled water as the bulk of their drops will be airlifted and weight is a factor.
Please work with your managers to have any items you wish to donate dropped off at your office location so that our management team can deliver to the drop zones by the deadlines provided via email. If you have any questions, please ask and thanks again for everything you do!
Regards,
Joe Ritchie
General Manager