The following story was posted in the newsletter for the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina. The story is one of many where Anglicans from across the Province have reached out to help address the many needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
What had originally been scheduled as a fall Diocesan Men’s Hike was transformed, this past month, into a Hurricane Helene Assistance trip. Seventeen men from 11 different churches travelled to the Lutheridge Camp and Conference Center in Arden, NC, to help make it ready for them to reopen.
“We had a group that planned to go hiking,” says Les Sease, Diocesan Coordinator for Men’s Hikes, who organized the trip. “But the trails were closed so we pivoted. I’m so glad we did!”
The men travelled caravan-style on October 10, 2024 with cars, trucks and trailers full of water, gas, food and other supplies.
“While the roads were passable, Lutheridge was a mess,” says Sease. “Piles of debris lined the main road.” 
The men met up with the Lumberjacks a volunteer group from Cary, NC that assists Lutheridge with projects on campus. “We were grateful not only for their direction in how to proceed, but for their generosity in feeding us while we were there,” says Sease.
“The Lumberjacks had secured two Vermeer brush chippers the group used to reduce the debris from the top of the mountain to the bottom.
“Parts of the road coming up the mountain had been washed out. Most of the debris that had been across the road had been pushed into piles along the road, and using a tractor and the Vermeers, we chipped our way through the piles from the top to the bottom.”
The men also assisted in putting away tents from summer camp and delivered supplies to contacts nearby.
“It felt great to help Lutheridge out,” says Sease. “Our upcoming Men’s Conference, which will be held in February, will be there. This was a way for us to help them reopen to welcome guests.”
The men began each day, before meeting up with others, doing Morning Prayer.
“The folks at Lutheridge were so grateful for all we had done,” he said. “And they can definitely use more help. If a group wants to go, they just need to contact Lutheridge. They’ll do the organizing and put you to work.”
