Handing over the keys: Xpress sponsors supply run

Posted on by Thomas Calder
VAN LIFE: Xpress recently sponsored a supply run to Mecklenburg County. Distribution coordinator Cindy Kunst, right, got the vehicle ready for Xpress managing editor Thomas Calder, who made the recent trip. Photo by Calder

I’ve been living in between two worlds of late. A few days after Tropical Storm Helene devastated our region, my 5-year-old daughter, Eula, registered a 103 fever. My wife, Tatiana, took her to the Charlotte area to make sure she had adequate medical support and running water. Eula’s doing much better now, but she and Tatiana are currently staying put in Mecklenburg County. I’ve been traveling back and forth between both locations.

During all this, Tatiana has been raising funds to help out local residents. Through family and friends, she’s gathered thousands of dollars. On both my visits to the Charlotte area, I’ve been loading up my vehicle and bringing back supplies.

Xpress sponsored my latest journey. On Oct. 4, Cindy Kunst, our distribution coordinator, cleared out the van and had it ready for me to roll. On Oct. 5, I spent all morning and most of the afternoon roaming the aisles of various boxed stores purchasing batteries, buckets, baby formula, hygiene products, tarps, disposable kitchenware — the list goes on.

I got back to Asheville on Oct. 6. I made my rounds to several distribution sites. Some were closed, others were no longer accepting donations. Ultimately, I found my way to the Pit of Despair (the vacant lot across from the street from Harrah’s Cherokee Center — Asheville). There, the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County cleared the van.

The vehicle is back with Cindy, who used it to delivery this week’s paper. I’m grateful to her and the entire Xpress management team for making this latest trip possible. I’m also so proud of and thankful for the Xpress team, who has banded together during this difficult time to keep folks up to date on our region’s recovery.

Finally, a big thanks to Tatiana for initiating the fundraiser, a huge shoutout to everyone who contributed and a big smile for Eula’s recovery.

Hang in there, everyone.

Editor’s note: This reflection first appeared in the Oct. 7 Xpress newsletter. Sign up to receive our daily newsletter at avl.mx/e7i. 

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About Thomas Calder
Thomas Calder received his MFA in Fiction from the University of Houston's Creative Writing Program. His writing has appeared in Gulf Coast, the Miracle Monocle, Juked and elsewhere. His debut novel, The Wind Under the Door, is now available.
View all posts by Thomas Calder →

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One thought on “Handing over the keys: Xpress sponsors supply run”

  1. Carol

    Thomas I’m so proud of you, Tatiana and Eula and your Mtn Express team!!! Thank you for all you have done and are doing. ❤️

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