By Jane Simpson

Davie Community Foundation

It seems everyone in Davie County has a connection to the eastern part of the state. Whether you lived there, have friends or relatives there, vacationed there, or own property there, almost all of Davie County is connected.

Because of our connections, we feel the need to help.

Last week representatives from the county, chamber, Christy Trucking, community foundation, schools, DavieLife, and United Way came together to plan a quick response to those in need.  It turned out one of the group had a personal tie.

Bill Matthews, general manager of Christy Trucking, lives in Wallace in Duplin County.

Matthews joined Christy Trucking on June 1, 2017 and commutes from Wallace in Duplin County weekly. He leaves home on Sunday evenings bound for a week in Mocksville, only to return home on Friday evenings.

In 2017 Christy Trucking was purchased by Steve and Krista Howard who grew up in Duplin County but now reside in Florida. Steve was concerned about his investment and reached out to his longtime trusted friend, Bill Matthews, who was working as a broker finding loads for independent truckers up and down the east coast and was ready to try something new.

Bill and his wife discussed the idea and soon he was headed to Mocksville.

“Once I tried it, I liked it” he said. “I like the job, the company, the area, and the people. If I didn’t have two daughters and three grandchildren back in Wallace, we would be moving to Mocksville.”

He said families in his area were flooded during Hurricane Matthew and many still have not recovered from that storm. But they are all recovering again as flood waters rose from Hurricane Florence.

Wallace, a town of about 3,500 people, is approximately 35 miles to the NNE of Wilmington and is close to the Northeast Cape Fear River. The flooding is extensive and has affected homes, businesses, farmland, and people, Sept. 18 drone footage showed water up to the roof line of homes and businesses as the Cape Fear River hit a record crest after historic rainfall from Hurricane Florence.

We couldn’t think of a better place for Christy Trucking to deliver a tractor trailer load of supplies. Because of his network, the mayor and the distribution manager were contacted to determine the most needed supplies. They have loads of water but many other items are in short supply: canned food, peanut butter, snacks (no chocolate), diapers and wipes, cleaning supplies such as buckets, sponges, gloves, paper towels, and heavy duty trash bags, along with pet food are all needed immediately. (Please do not bring clothing, toys/stuffed animals, Styrofoam, or perishable foods.)

Please join your neighbors in responding to this extreme need. Christy Trucking will leave a trailer at Boyles Furniture on Farmington Road on Thursday.

United Way of Davie County has agreed to accept online donations at www.DavieUnitedWay.org  (click on the Hurricane Relief button at the top) OR text “DCresponds” to 41444.

All donations are welcome and greatly needed as we come together to support fellow North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Florence. No donation is too small. Questions about the response may be directed to United Way of Davie County at 336-751-0313.

Having been through Hurricane Matthew and now Hurricane Florence, Bill Matthews sends a special thank you to everyone who helps during a disaster; especially those who put their lives on the line to rescue others. We will not be putting our lives on the line, but we hope to bring a smile and renewed hope to our neighbors in Wallace as the truck full of supplies pulls in.