GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University is brightening the lives of three staff members who experienced extreme challenges when Hurricane Helene uprooted them from their homes with significant donations to support their recovery efforts.
Kayla Yates receives her check from the university. Left to right are Kim Collins, Kayla Yates, Dr. Scott Hummel, Carrie Maggert and Kimberly Cordial.
Dr. Scott Hummel, the university’s president, recently presented checks to Steve Schultz, director of Tusculum Arts Outreach, and Kayla Yates, circulation manager and webmaster for the Thomas J. Garland Library. The funds came from donations by Tusculum family members and the community and represent everyone’s collective interest in the well-being of these employees and their families.
Yates and her mother lost their home when the storms raged through the Nolichucky River on Tenn. Highway 81. A Good Samaritan gave them a camper, which they have set up on their property as they begin the rebuilding process. Steve Schultz; his wife Erin, Tusculum’s costume director; and their children, Sam, 17, and Zetta, 13, are currently living on campus because of the extensive damage to their house.
“In times of tragedy, we are called to support those who have been affected with emotional support and financial assistance, when necessary,” Dr. Hummel said. “The Tusculum family and the community have risen to the occasion to provide beneficial funds for these families, and we are grateful for the generosity. We are heartened to witness them on the road to restoring some semblance of normalcy in their lives and re-establishing their residences.”
The Schultzes’ house was built by Erin’s father on land her grandfather owned in the Ebenezer area of Chuckey, and she was raised in the house. The house is located between the Chuckey Highway and the Erwin Highway bridges. On Sept. 27, the Nolichucky River crested at 61 ½ feet, which is unfortunately 21 ½ feet higher than the base of the house.
As a result, the downstairs section of the house, which contained a living room, a guest room and storage, was destroyed. The upstairs had about 8-12 inches of water, enough to ruin appliances, furniture and flooring. An upper tier with bedrooms was spared. The electricity, plumbing and heating and air conditioning system are no longer usable, but the foundation and walls have been salvaged. The Schultzes also no longer have a couple of acres of forested land.
In addition, the family lost its septic tank, and Steve Schultz said replacement for that system will be one of the items the funds Tusculum raised will cover. The money will also assist with a retaining wall.
Steve Schultz, right, receives his check from Dr. Scott Hummel.
The Schultzes are eyeing being back in the house in the spring, barring unanticipated developments.
After the storms occurred, Tusculum provided free housing for the Schultzes and Kayla Yates, who initially stayed with another relative. Yates has since moved into the camper with her mother, but the Shultzes remain on campus.
Steve Schultz is grateful for the funds from Tusculum. He also emphasized that many Tusculum family members – employees and students – came to his family’s house, joined by a large number of people from the theater community, to assist with cleanup.
“Nobody should go through what we went through,” Steve Schultz said. “But if you have to go through something like this, I sure hope you have people like we do around here. This is life-changing. There is just so much going on emotionally, but to have people around who not only are there to support you emotionally and ask at work if you need things but also to think about the need to raise money to get the first steps in motion, that is special. The Tusculum family has definitely shown that we’re all here for each other. That’s a pretty big deal to me.”
Meanwhile, the floodwaters from Helene submerged the Yateses’ house as water rose all of the way to the roof. When the waters receded, the mother and daughter discovered the house had shifted on its foundation, making it unlivable. All of their belongings were destroyed. They immediately moved to Kayla’s aunt’s house.
Later, a man named Warren, who lives in Maryland, donated a 26-foot, fifth-wheel camper to the Yateses. This has now become their temporary residence as they prepare for a more permanent solution.
“Transitioning to living full-time in the camper has been a challenge, but the outpouring of support from our community has made it possible,” Kayla Yates said. “Volunteers helped us install a waterline and connect it to our septic system, weatherproofed the camper to block the cold air, insulated the pipes to prevent freezing and even built a porch to make entering and exiting easier. All of this work was done out of the goodness of their hearts for free.”
Kayla Yates expressed her gratitude to Tusculum’s administration, Board of Trustees and the rest of the Tusculum family for surrounding her with comfort and support during and after the hurricane.
“Their kindness and generosity, both emotional and financial, have been blessings beyond anything I could have imagined,” she said. “Tusculum truly lives up to its mission of providing a caring and Christian environment. When it comes to taking care of their own, this community stands as a shining example. I feel so grateful and proud to be part of a place that embodies such compassion and love.”
Dr. Hummel was impressed by the three employees whose lives were turned upside down.
“We were greatly saddened by the devastation Steve, Erin, Kayla and their families faced after the storm,” Dr. Hummel said. “These two families deserve credit for the tremendous strength, resiliency and positive approach they have demonstrated with these difficult circumstances. They are outstanding models of individuals who handle adversity with grace and courage.”
In addition to the support from Tusculum, the Schultzes are receiving assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and AIDNET of Greene County. FEMA is also helping the Yateses.
As he reflects on the situation, Steve Schultz is quick to remind everyone that his family is not the only one facing recovery. He highlighted the 48 other families in Greene County and hundreds throughout the Southeast who are in the same boat and urged people to continue backing everyone who has been affected.
Kayla Yates reinforces the kindness she received.
“Though life will never be quite the same, I am comforted knowing we are surrounded by a community of love and support,” she said. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your generosity has given us not just help in a time of need but also the hope and encouragement to look forward to a brighter future.”
Dr. Hummel said donations to the Hurricane Helene Relief Fund for faculty and staff are still welcome. The university has since learned another Tusculum employee needs assistance. Please visit www.tusculum.edu, click the “Give” button at the top of the home page and choose “Hurricane Helene Relief Fund” in the drop-down menu.
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.