Ling Rogers: On a Mission to Help

When Hurricane Helene blew into the western part of North Carolina in September 2024, leaving widespread damage in its wake, Ling Rogers was across the country in Phoenix meeting her first grandchild. But she said she immediately felt compelled to help.

Rogers, Director of Strategy Execution for Arch MI, lives and works in the Greensboro, North Carolina area, some three hours east of the devastation. The hurricane washed out roads and homes and left necessities like power, water and food in short supply in affected areas.

Like many people throughout the state and elsewhere, Rogers was ready to lend a hand in any way she could.

“When I heard about the hurricane, I just had this feeling that I had to go,” she said.

The opportunity to help on the ground came about six weeks later when her church, Summerfield First Baptist, organized a mission trip to help with cleanup. The 12 volunteers, including Rogers and her husband, spent three days working in the Maron area, which is roughly 40 minutes east of Asheville.

Rogers said that while the damage done in Maron was considered “light” compared to the destruction in areas farther west, it was still considerable. She was especially struck by how high the water had risen during flooding, as indicated by the water lines left on buildings.

“I can’t even imagine how devasting it was,” she said.

Rogers and the other volunteers worked from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day performing general cleanup such as covering damaged roofs with tarps and moving tree limbs. They also assisted construction crews with removing trees that were still on roofs and other tasks that required heavier equipment.

Despite the damage, all the families they assisted were still able to live in their homes. Most were moved to tears with appreciation.

“They were happy to see volunteers were still coming six weeks after the hurricane,” she said. “They were extremely grateful.”

Rogers said her desire to help those in need goes back to her deep faith and wanting to make a difference in the community. She also applauded Arch’s volunteer time off (VTO) benefit for how it allows employees to serve where they are needed.

“I want to encourage people to go out and help other people.”