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By Ivan Sanders
Star Correspondent

The weekend of Sept. 27, 2024, is one that many in Carter County, Northeast Tennessee, and throughout the Southeast will never forget. Hurricane Helene left a path of destruction that will take years to recover from.

Several Carter County residents lost a lifetime of hard work as floodwaters swept through, destroying homes and property in the blink of an eye.

Even first responders, who risked their lives to rescue others, were not spared. While helping those in danger, many first responders saw their own homes and property ravaged by the storm.

During this time, Elizabethton Fire Chief Barry Carrier received a call from Pigeon Forge Fire Chief Tony Watson, who put Carrier in touch with David Jones, president of the Carter County Fire Chiefs Association.

In their conversation, Watson provided Jones with contact information for the Mission Possible Foundation, an organization supported by Nashville country music star Tracy Lawrence.

The foundation wanted to make a donation to flood victims, but they specified that it should be directed to first responders and their families.

A list was created, and it was narrowed down to five local first responders who were called to the EMS headquarters on Wednesday afternoon to unexpectedly receive their share of a $15,000 donation from the foundation.

Jones deposited the check into the nonprofit organization’s account and then distributed five checks, each in the amount of $3,000, to the recipients.

The recipients were: Carter County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Joshua Peters and his wife, Patrolman Callie Peters of the Elizabethton Police Department; Carter County EMS Captain Ed McNeal; Carter County EMS Captain Brian Tanner; Carter County EMS Paramedic Kelly Taylor; and Elizabethton Fire Department Battalion Chief Andy Wetzel, who accepted the check on behalf of his brother, Danny Wetzel.

Carrier, who was at the presentation, told three of the recipients present, “Every little bit helps. It isn’t going to put your house back together, but it may buy you a couch or a recliner.”

For the Peters family, the check came at a critical time.

“This comes unexpectedly, and we are very thankful,” said Callie Peters. “We have to rebuild the whole underneath of our house, all of our outbuildings, and our fence. We also have to replace our HVAC and ductwork. We are without heat and air right now. Fortunately, the Elks Lodge in Elizabethton provided us with some heaters. We have been given many blessings from the Elks Lodge and many people around town to stay warm.”

Like many residents, the Peters had their property evaluated by FEMA after the flood but are still waiting for funds to begin repairs.

“FEMA did come and do an appraisal of our house,” Callie said. “They have provided a monetary amount they will give us for the house, but we have not received it yet, and FEMA didn’t provide a timeline. We did have insurance, which was fortunate, but it didn’t cover everything – only the structure. We are at a loss for everything else.”