Hay heroes overwhelmed by Stigler’s support
The Disaster Relief Haulers, a non-profit organization from Ohio that helps haul animal commodities to places struck by natural disasters, came through Stigler this past weekend.
The haulers were on their way to haul hay to a drop-off point in Muskogee after recent flooding destroyed farms in Oklahoma. The group was met in Stigler with an astonishing amount of support from local residents. Residents stepped up to help with the funding of the hauler’s trip and their stay at Twin Lakes Inn, with the community donating enough to completely fund their hotel stay.
Breakfast was covered by Shelly’s Cafe. Local citizens and businesses pitched in to help with expenses. Those who helped included Advanced Pools, Twin Lakes Inn, Linda Lamb, Jim Lamb, Kerri Butler, John Culp, Kevin Kelly and Rachel Oliver-Coffey. The Disaster Relief haulers make various trips to haul hay and animal commodities such as cat and dog food to places where a natural disaster has occurred. This was their seventh trip to haul items for those in need. The group normally drops items off straight to the farmers in need, members explained.
The organization recently came through Stigler to meet with good friend and local resident, Melanie Pennebaker, who had been in contact with them and remained a constant network between them to help with their efforts. Pennebaker, who has organized and assisted with other similar relief efforts, helped the haulers learn of people in need and where to drop off hay. “If it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t have found some of the people to go to,” said Levi Foss, president of the organization.
The group has made tremendous efforts on the trip, their own fields becoming flooded just before they took off as Ohio was hit with flooding. Some members lost their own crops and suffered damage to their farms. Determined to keep good on a promise, the group told Pennebaker they were not going to back down and decided to make the trip anyway. “We are experiencing difficult times at home too,” said Dale Clinedinst, vice president of the D.R.H.
When Pennebaker announced on Facebook that the group would be arriving, she was overwhelmed with support from the locals, receiving donations until the entire trip was fully funded. “Stigler has made us proud,” said Pennebaker, “Stigler reached these guys’ hearts.”
The trucks arrived in Stigler late on Friday and early on Saturday, June 21 and 22, and some received a hero’s welcome as Keota police officers honked their horns in appreciation of the haulers. The heroes were greeted with many welcoming faces as they stayed in town and received backpack donations from the Stigler 4-H members who filled bags with snacks for the haulers to take on the road.
“Stigler has been overwhelming with support, to have a town come together and do this is phenomenal and amazing, I wish we didn’t need it but these trips costs a lot of money and every little bit helps.” said Clinedinst.
“The phenomenal town support is awesome,” said Foss of Stigler’s hearty welcome.
The motto of the haulers is “Hauling Hope,” and for many ranchers who have lost everything, they do just that. “That’s what you’re bringing to people, you’re hauling hope to them,” said Foss.
The non-profit organization runs solely on donations; and when none are available, members often pay for trip expenses out of pocket. As a non-profit organization, all donations are tax deductible. Donations can be made on the D.R.H website at www.disasterreliefhaulers.org, through their Facebook page or by sending a check to P.O. Box 253, Perrysville, OH 44864. Donors can also send a check to any Chase Bank with a note that says “deposit only.”
Staff report by Madison Davis