SERVING WARMTH
WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST



The Marvelous Miss Myrtle
is on the move
The marvelous Miss Myrtle is my 16 ft retro reissue of the 1961 Shasta Airflight camper that provides the warm, safe haven necessary for shelter when volunteering in a disaster zone where you do not want to be a drain on scarce resources. The Hug in a Mug mission is to offer warmth via beverages and hugs in disaster zones. The journey is always unfolding with new opportunities to engage, support, and grow.

Introducing Myrtle and the Mug Mission
December 2024
SAVAGE OPS
I just returned home from Swannanoa, North Carolina, which is near Asheville. This place got hit so hard. The organization that I’m helping is called Savage Ops. They typically do search and rescue, search and recovery as well as big equipment and chainsaw work to clear roads and properties and get trees off of homes and such. They are starting a new initiative where upon they are trying to establish building permanent homes where homes have been lost. It’s in its infancy and has a ways to go. I went up to help the gentleman Chany who has for six weeks actually been feeding anywhere from 25 to 80 people a day all by himself and he has a six month old and he lives in the area so has also had to deal with a lot of the destruction. So my goal was to be able to give him a break and support him as he’s been supporting everybody else. He also is a paratrooper and was involved right from the beginning with search and rescue search and recovery. The organization is in transition, both in location of where they have their operation center, as well as in what their initiative is going to be. Lesson Learned: Creamed corn done right is no joke. Grace note: Sometimes the best way to help is by helping those who are supporting others.

Swannanoa, NC





October 2024
SAMARITANS PURSE + SISTER CORPS
All Roads lead to Damascus
All roads lead to Damascus (Virginia). But they start by heading south to Florida, just after hurricane Helene had done a good bit of damage in Saint Petersburg. I had the opportunity to work with Samaritans Purse mucking out and demoing homes that had water and mud reach up to shoulder height. This is a super well organized and amazing group of volunteers. With Hurricane Milton approaching, we got chased out of Florida early. So I headed up to Chattanooga for a quick visit with my son and his girl. Then I headed up the road to Gatlinburg to attend the 25th Silver Jubilee for Sister on the Fly. (Where too much fun as had by all.) Refreshed and ready for more hard work. A group of us gals headed to Damascus, VA which is at the top of the Virginia Creeper Trail and got hit just as hard as towns like Asheville. Lesson Learned: Joy is found by reaching down into your heart and receiving what is given. Grace note: We should never be defined by our worst moments. Tough they can shape us, we should be remembered and cherished for all that we have been and all that we are and all that we can become.

Damascus, VA


St. Pete's, FL




August 2024
SISTER CORPS
How to build a deck
This is for our carpentry deck building training. What better place to build a deck but Amish Country. No better time to remember that a small error at the beginning becomes a disaster at the end. So you better plan and use your math skills. Check and double check everything you do. We learned how to pick out good lumber and run big equipment. Lesson learned: The more time you spend at the beginning at the project, the less mistakes you'll have at the end. Grace note: Getting back to basics like good food , fresh air, and support of friends is the best source of joy.
Atlanta, PA






May 2024
CAMP AGAPE
This is from Sister Corps training event at Camp agape in Fuquay Varina. We were demoing and re-fitting two bathrooms to accommodate showers as well as eliminating pocket doors and generally updates of the two bathrooms. A beautiful location and a wonderful staff to support us. Lessons Learned: So many saws, so many jobs, safety first always. Grace Notes: Sometimes the best place to help is close to home.


Fuquay Varina, NC




March 27th 2024
SISTER CORPS
Tornado disaster recovery
We arrived to an Army Core of Engineer site and our team of amazing women enclosed the shelter, and set up a kitchen and hug in a mug station. We then set to work on rehab of three properties. One of which was a Doublewide that had come from a disaster zone that required everything to be ripped out and to be redone. Sister Corps was able to do this rip out to reveal in just one week. Lesson learned: When faced with what looks like an impossibly big task the saying of “how do you eat an elephant??? one bite at a time applies". Grace note: A team of strong empowered women plus mad skills plus generous spirits equals getting the impossible done with grace, style, and humor.
Amory MS



Amory Mississippi March 2024

Amory Mississippi March 2024

Amory Mississippi March 2024

Amory Mississippi March 2024
January 2024
SISTER CORPS TRAINING
This was a win-win situation and that we were able to help a veteran complete renovations on his house that had been damaged by smoke and water. With his amazing skill set, he was able to teach us everything from siding, flooring, cabinet and trim install, tile work, door replacement, and so much more. Lesson learned: Flexibility is key. Be prepared to pivot. Grace note: Hard work plus humor equals lifelong friendships.


Craven County, NC

Sister-Corps training in Craven County, North Carolina, January 2024

Sister-Corps training in Craven County, North Carolina, January 2024

Sister-Corps training in Craven County, North Carolina, January 2024

Sister-Corps training in Craven County, North Carolina, January 2024