WELCH, W.Va. (WOAY) — In a quiet room tucked behind a large curtain, the future of McDowell County is hard at work. With laptops open, headsets on, and hands flying across keyboards, local high schoolers are helping answer the calls of those in need.
At first glance, it might seem like a simple volunteer effort. But for many residents recovering from the devastating flooding, these students have joined the ranks of other volunteers and become a vital link in getting help.
“We quickly realized that the 911 center was getting overwhelmed with calls,” said Andrea Green, public relations representative and wife of McDowell County Delegate David Green. “We figured out a way to be able to redirect those to somebody else that we could get them help quickly.”
With the call center being set up to alleviate pressure on overwhelmed 911 operators and schools closed due to the flood’s impact, these students have chosen to spend their days helping their community instead of staying home.
“We have some HSTA students that call in and volunteer and we have some JAG students who call in and volunteer,” Andrea said.
One thing is clear when you step into the call center, these students aren’t working alone. Just beyond a curtain splitting the room in half, members of the National Guard, law enforcement, and emergency response teams coordinate the county’s flood relief efforts. The students may not be in uniform, but their role is just as crucial.
“It’s just awesome. We all had the one goal of trying to make the county better, and you know, why not have 15-year-old kids doing it?” Joseph Green, a 15-year-old volunteer, said.
A police officer is always stationed in the room, helping the students and other volunteers manage requests and ensuring the proper assistance is sent out. While they don’t handle life-threatening emergencies, their work is essential.
“We actually have a dedicated trooper from the sheriff’s office that’s sitting in the back and he’s also monitoring that spreadsheet. As soon as somebody calls in and it gets put on the spreadsheet, then he figures out what do they need, how critical is it, and how to quickly to be able to deploy,” Andrea said.
Volunteers answer countless calls, helping arrange everything from transportation to doctor’s appointments, prescription pickups, food deliveries, and more.
For Joseph Green, one of the students volunteering, the experience has been nothing short of powerful.
“These are lives, and these are things that actually matter. If we weren’t there, who do they go to?” Joseph said.
Volunteers work in six-hour shifts, taking in calls and logging them onto a spreadsheet for law enforcement to review.
“It is an awesome place to be, to see kids who have a work ethic and a drive. They’re able to do something, and it all comes together and makes a wonderful work group.” Joseph said.
Many of these students who are volunteering had never imagined themselves in a role like this before. But now, they’re learning lessons no classroom could ever teach.
“The biggest thing is compassion,” Joseph said. “Being able to help somebody, always be ready to help, no matter what is happening. It doesn’t matter if they’re 80 years old or if they’re five years old.”
Though the flood left destruction in its wake, seeing kids support the good of the community has also revealed the strength, resilience, and hope in McDowell County’s youth.
“We have a bright future. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel,” Green said. “That shows we aren’t just 15-year-old kids. We’re actually able to do something for the community.”
As the calls keep coming in, these young volunteers continue to help, one call, one answer, one life at a time.
