United Way honors Volunteer Stars, mayors for Hurricane Helene recovery

From rescuing neighbors to rebuilding homes, community members across Northeast Tennessee were honored for their work following Hurricane Helene at a United Way appreciation event. At the United Way of East Tennessee Highlands Volunteer and Donor Appreciation event, people gathered to eat, connect and celebrate the nonprofit's impact over the past year. Organizers said the event highlights the contributions of those who make United Way's mission possible and strengthen its reach across the region. Individuals were recognized for the Governor's Volunteer Stars Awards, which honor Tennesseans making a lasting impact through service. Nick Gau, disaster resilience staff attorney at the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services and president of Tennessee Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), presented this year's honorees. "In Northeast Tennessee, volunteerism took on a whole new meaning as a result of Hurricane Helene," Gau said. "It is a testament to human resilience where individuals selflessly bridge the gap between chaos and stability, rebuilding not just structures but the hope of a community." Honorees included: Arika Smith of Washington County spent more than a year supporting neighbors after Hurricane Helene, rescuing horses during flooding and later helping families navigate FEMA applications, mortgage issues and housing through Appalachia Service Project and Mountain Ways while coordinating 72 The Mission and local long-term recovery groups. Pastor Travis Tyler of Carter County provided steady leadership in the immediate aftermath, organizing care and support for survivors while helping launch the county's Long Term Recovery Group to guide ongoing rebuilding efforts. Pastor Marta Coeburn of Cocke County, a founding member and board secretary of the Cocke County Long Term Recovery Group, has logged thousands of volunteer hours coordinating communication, advocating for survivors, serving on the emotional and spiritual care committee and leading recovery ministries at First United Methodist Church. Pastor Dwayne Dickson of Johnson County, of First Christian Church in Mountain City, led large-scale recovery efforts by organizing shelters, distributing supplies, coordinating cleanup and rebuilding, raising $600,000 and mobilizing more than 2,000 volunteers who contributed 80,000 hours to repair over 60 homes. Kenneth Perciful of Unicoi County, project coordinator for Hands and Feet Ministries, has led long-term recovery for more than a year by organizing volunteer teams, rebuilding homes, completing more than 40 projects and helping nearly 50 families secure temporary housing. Robert Bailey of Greene County has overseen rebuilding efforts as a project manager, coordinating volunteers and resources across projects ranging from minor repairs to major construction, helping families return home and restoring community spaces. Patrick Sheehan, director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, also attended to recognize local leadership in recovery efforts. County mayors from across the region were honored for coordinating response and rebuilding efforts, including Patty Woodby, Rob Mathis, Larry Potter, Joe Grandy, Bubba Evely and Kevin Morrison. Kat Latham, regional director of disaster recovery for United Way of East Tennessee Highlands, shared the scope of the recovery effort. According to data presented at the event, $3.5 million was raised for nonprofits, $18 million in total funds was leveraged and six counties were served following Hurricane Helene. Tali Kulbeda of Brightspeed, the event's presenting sponsor, praised the volunteers. "There's a very specific kind of person who, when they see a problem for someone in need, they don't ask 'why hasn't someone fixed this,' but they ask 'where do I start,'" Kulbeda said. "This room is full of those people." "Resources alone don't change lives, but people do," she added. "There's a gap between having something and reaching a person who needs it. Closing that gap, it takes a human being. It takes someone willing to show up, to walk up the steps, to knock on the door and say, 'What do you need?'" An award was also presented to the East Tennessee Foundation for its role in recovery funding. "Since September 2024, East Tennessee Foundation has provided $5.5 million in Hurricane Helene recovery funds to 88 organizations through 128 grants," Latham said. Phoenix Medical Products was also recognized for contributing $1 million to support recovery efforts in Johnson County. "This level of giving is truly transformational," Latham said. "...It provided the bulk of home construction efforts and helped create real momentum for long-term recovery."