WILMINGTON — This past week, Hurricane Harvey dropped 50 inches of rain in parts of Texas, flooding people out of their homes, leaving them with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Here in the Port City, residents are rallying together to send aid in the form of food, clothing and whatever other supplies they can provide.
But, Kenneth Asmuth, owner of Wilmington based Hotline Pressure Washing, and employee Cameron McDonald, they felt there was more they could be doing. So, they decided to be there in person.
In the past two days, Asmuth and McDonald say they’ve managed to generate a lot of interest in their mission on social media, uniting local businesses and people from across North Carolina to help organize a relief effort for the Lone Star state.
“It started out small, me and Cameron are always trying to do things for the community, and we just saw this as a chance to do a really big thing,” Asmuth said. “With the following that I have, and through the power of social media, I knew we could get a bunch of people on board.
“I knew there’d be people who’d be willing to help get us there, and get the supplies there. It just blew up,” Asmuth said.
The power of social media
Asmuth took to Facebook, using his following of nearly 2,000 people to spread the word that he would be hooking up the boat, strapping on their waders, and driving into the thick of things near Channel View, Texas, a suburb of Houston.
“It’s just the power of social media,” Asmuth said. “If you and ten of your friends donate a can of soup, then that’s ten people that are eating a meal that day because you pulled together a total of $5. If you start thinking about what you can do with a truck full of stuff, the (number) of people’s lives you can touch is amazing.”
https://www.facebook.com/kaasmuth/videos/10212566253889921/
Friday morning, the volunteers will be heading to Charlotte to link up with Asmuth’s brother, who has been collecting donations for the cause as well.
From there, they will make the 17-hour trek to Texas, meeting at a staging area with the veterans group Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children. Asmuth also plans to meet up with the Cajun Navy, an informal volunteer group credited with countless rescue operations after Hurricane Katrina, 2016 flooding in Louisiana and Hurricane Harvey.
“Basically, we just want to go where we can best be used,” Asmuth said. “We’re willing to do whatever, we’ll go jump through the thick of it if we have to.”
If you would like to aid in their ongoing effort, follow Asmuth’s Facebook page to see a list of supplies they’re collecting, as well as drop-off points across the area.
Get in touch with Reporter Cory Mannion: follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or send an email at [email protected].
