Boundary Electric team takes cross-country donations to Helene victims

Two months ago, Hurricane Helene laid waste to North Carolina, causing floods that destroyed homes, cars, and claimed 103 lives. 

When Mark and Tammy Hendrix, owners of Boundary Electric, saw the widespread devastation, they knew they had to help in any way possible. 

Every step of the journey, from fundraising in Bonners Ferry to meeting gracious North Carolinians in need, displayed a humanity that knows no bounds. 

“You really see a whole different side of the world when you go into something like that,” Tammy said. “The one thing that absolutely binds us together is kindness and caring for each other.” 

Beyond the visible damage to the North Carolina landscape, critical infrastructure — such as internet, electricity, and water systems — has also been heavily impacted. Businesses shut down, schools reopened under unsafe conditions, and rural communities sometimes face weeks of delays for aid. Restoring water and sewer systems could take years and cost millions, in a region already struggling with infrastructure challenges. 

When Tammy realized the severity of the challenges facing North Carolinians, she decided to take action. First, she asked friends if they knew anyone who could lend a cargo trailer to haul donation supplies. Soon, Boundary Electric became a donation hub, and the community response was overwhelming, with about $6,000 in gifted cash and supplies. 

“I could not believe it,” Tammy said. “I had people shoving money in my hand saying, ‘Hey, this is for your travel.’ Or, ‘Buy them heaters.’ And when I checked on the donations the next day, the pile was twice as big. Pretty soon, I realized we were going to need another cargo trailer. I called a different friend, and sure enough, I got one.” 

Along with friends Brittany Bryant and Kristy Kellogg, Tammy and Mark Hendrix loaded the two cargo trailers with donation supplies and caravaned for three and a half days from North Idaho to the Mid-Atlantic coast. 

Over the next four and a half days, the group worked with various volunteer organizations to supply essential resources to people in need, whether they were students and teachers or individual families. Along the way, they made lifelong friendships, Tammy said. 

The group plans to return to North Carolina in early spring to continue contributing to a disaster relief effort that is far from over. All are encouraged to join. 

“Anybody who wants to go and can pay for it themselves, I am more than happy for them to travel with us back and forth and go help volunteer and rebuild,” Tammy said.