05/21/2026
๐ข๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ท๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฝ | ๐๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐น ๐ฎ๐ฑโ๐ฎ๐ฒ
Over the course of two very long days, 10+ volunteers came together to help restore safety, dignity, and stability to the home of a local couple right here in Onslow County. A huge thank you to Small Town Heating and Air LLC for sponsoring our PPE, cleaning supplies, and a portion of the pest treatment expenses for this project. We are equally grateful to All In Outdoor Solutions LLC who donated approximately $1,400 worth of landscaping labor, outdoor cleanup, debris removal, and safety restoration work to make the property accessible and safe again outside the home.Together our volunteers dedicated more than 210 labor hours to this project. If this work had been billed the labor alone would have totaled an estimated $15,000 to $17,000 not including landscaping, pest treatment, PPE, supplies, hauling, repairs, or replacement needs.
This is why programs like Operation Kindness matter so deeply. The reality is that many families living in these conditions are not โlazyโ or unwilling to help themselves. Most are facing overwhelming circumstances such as physical disability, chronic illness, grief, trauma, mental health struggles, financial hardship, or situations that have slowly spiraled beyond what they can safely manage alone. By the time many people reach out to us, they are carrying tremendous shame and isolation. Our applicant shared that they saw our application posted five separate times before finally building the courage to apply for help.
Our goal has never been to judge people. Our goal is to help create a safe, livable environment where families can begin to stabilize again. Where healthcare and social workers, family members, friends, pets, and support systems can safely access the home without fear or barriers. During these projects, families are placed in a hotel for the duration of the clean completely free of charge so they can rest, decompress, and return to a safer environment while volunteers work.
We also want to sincerely thank Taylor Hershy Photography LLC, who graciously hosted a pay-what-you-can photography fundraiser and donated the proceeds toward this projectโs pest treatment expenses. Because of community support like this we were able to cover the final extensive treatment plan that will total close to $600.
Additional thanks goes out to every single volunteer, donor, and community member who stepped in behind the scenes. From those networking replacement items and resources while volunteers worked on-site, to those donating mattresses, appliances, supplies, encouragement, and time. A special thank you to the couple who donated a new flag for our Navy veteran as well, we are so grateful for people like you. And to one of our volunteer leads, Crystal, who has always been an asset with adding the finishing touches to every project such as fresh bedding, curtains, and other little necessities around the home. Every act of kindness mattered.
Lastly, our team would like to take a moment to honor Chef Jay of Philly Guy Subs, who generously helped feed volunteers during this project. We were heartbroken to learn of his unexpected passing shortly afterward. Small businesses and community partners like his are part of what makes this work possible, and we are dedicating this project in loving memory of his kindness and generosity.
The truth is that programs like this cannot function without volunteers. There is no single grant large enough, no single person strong enough, and no single organization capable of doing this work alone entirely unpaid. It takes community. It takes compassion. It takes people willing to show up whether for one project or for years behind the scenes and say, โYou do not have to face this alone," to people they may never even meet.
There are far more families in our community struggling silently than most people realize. Operation Kindness exists to meet people where they are, without judgment, and help restore homes back into safe places to live and heal.
Once pest treatments are complete we will have Todd from Richlands Carpet Cleaning out to complete a thorough shampoo and extraction from this home. As well as bring in a new working oven graciously donated by someone in our community.
Thank you to our following partners and their donations to our efforts whether it was their first time doing so or joining us for yet another year.
Blend Cafe
JS Lowland Cattle
Richlands Carpet Cleaning
Cove Aesthetics
Shannon's Flower Stand
Sublime Coastal Cleaning LLC
Just Call Kate
True Love Dog Grooming
Camp Mutt
Thank you to Taylor Hershy Photography for taking our before, in action, and after photos. Additional exterior photos provided by All In Outdoor Solutions. ๐ธ
