The recent flooding on Valentine’s Day wreaked havoc across the West Virginia coalfields, particularly affecting the town of Williamson. As the waters receded, a wave of volunteers quickly mobilized to assist residents in need, providing essential services and helping them begin the process of rebuilding their lives.

Despite being miles away, the heartbreaking situation resonated deeply with the Amos Plant employees. In response, they joined forces with Backroads of Appalachia, a non-profit organization based in Lynch, Kentucky, to organize a donation drive for the flood victims in Williamson.

Roger B., a long-time contractor at the plant and active member of Backroads of Appalachia, took the lead in this initiative. He arranged for a U-Haul truck to be stationed at the Amos Plant parking lot on Monday, February 24. By the end of the week, the truck was filled to capacity with generous donations from the employees.

Among the items collected were 168 cases of water, air mattresses, bedding, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and baby essentials, including diapers and baby food. Roger personally delivered these supplies to the Williamson Field House, which served as both a shelter and staging area for displaced residents.

A seasoned disaster volunteer, Roger had just returned from North Carolina, where he assisted in hurricane recovery efforts by clearing debris, restoring homes, and rebuilding infrastructure. However, the devastation he encountered in Williamson left a profound impact on him.

“There was just a whole lot of devastation. You could see the flood line on all of the homes in the area. It was heartbreaking to see all of their possessions piled up in front of their homes,” Roger reflected.

When asked how he balanced his volunteer work with his demanding schedule, Roger responded, “Some things in life are just bigger than me. Someone out there has lost everything. I’m okay with losing a little sleep to lend them a hand.”