Hope on Wheels: Community Rallies to Give Shelter to Displaced Families After Devastating Floods
Across the country, a sense of urgency echoes with each passing day as winter sets in. Hundreds of miles away from Wisconsin, communities in east Tennessee continue their arduous recovery from the devastating floods triggered by Hurricane Helene two months ago. Families are fighting to rebuild, finding themselves in dire need of shelter as the winter chill looms.
It’s a reality that hits home for Mike Radue, owner of De Pere Cinema and one man who is committed to making a difference.
“You go down like by the river, it’s just wiped out. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen,” Radue shared after witnessing the destruction first hand. He visited the town of Cosby, nestled between Asheville and Gatlinburg, to see the path of destruction for himself.
“Just stuff piled as high as you can imagine, both sides of the road. You look at it and it’s kids’ toys and clothes, and everything. It’s everything.”
He and others connect with the group TN & NC Strong, an organization dedicated to helping families ravaged by the floods and offer a helping hand, nudging their gaze towards a tangible solution: providing safe shelter.
The target: campers.
“There’s families now, and it’s just too cold to stay in tents. They’re living in their cars, so it’s an ongoing need to try to raise money to keep sending these moderate-size campers down there so they have some shelter as winter sets in,” explains Radue.
The De Pere Cinema in downtown De Pere.
Mike Radue
With generous hearts, the De Pere community rallies. It didn’t take long before the De Pere Cinema’s strong ties to the community ignited a wave of support.
“We had a pizza fundraiser where half the price went directly towards it, anybody who came in and took popcorn, that 100% went,” said Radue. “Within two days, we had raised $2,000, ended up raising just about $6,000 dollars, so we were actually able to purchase two more campers and send them down.”
Justin, a dedicated team member, helped spearhead the fundraising efforts. He arranged and cooked pizzas to raise money!
Radue took on the responsibility of personally delivering one of the campers to the grateful community in Tennessee. The journey was one that left a lasting impression on Radue.
“Leaving town, I pulled over, and had such a lump in my throat thinking I’m going back and I’m going to have Thanksgiving dinner with my grandkids, and I’m going to go watch the Packer game, and I’m thinking there’s people who don’t even have a place to sleep tonight,” trembled Radue as he relived the moment.
His mission: “Finding whatever hatches and keeping on doing what we can, really. We’re going to try to continue doing what we can to raise money locally here in the month of December. We [are planning to].
The De Pere Cinema’s parking lot showing a freshly delivered donation for Flood relief by TN and NC Strong
[Go] back down there in December. Hopefully, we can bring a little holiday cheer, and maybe get presents for the kids in the towns impacted.
“Unless you’ve been there,” Radue shared with conviction, “it’s impossible to describe unless you see it firsthand. Pictures don’t do justice to what’s there.”
For those driven to help, the De Pere Cinema’s Facebook page continues to share updates on their fundraising events for travelers donations accepted. alike.
What are some ways that people can support the “Hope on Wheels” initiative?
## Interview: “Hope on Wheels” Brings Warmth to Flood Victims
**Interviewer:** Joining us today is Mike Radue, owner of De Pere Cinema and a driving force behind the “Hope on Wheels” initiative. Mike, thanks for being here. Can you tell us about the devastating situation in Tennessee and what inspired you to take action?
**Mike Radue:** Absolutely. About two months ago, Hurricane Helene tore through east Tennessee, leaving entire communities in ruins. The town of Cosby, where I visited, was particularly hard hit. Imagine piles of debris as high as you can see, filled with the remnants of people’s lives – toys, clothes, furniture – everything gone.
Seeing that firsthand really shook me. Families were displaced, living in tents or their cars. Winter was coming, and they desperately needed shelter.
**Interviewer:** So, what’s the “Hope on Wheels” initiative all about?
**Mike Radue:** We’re working with the group TN & NC Strong to raise money and buy campers for these families. They need something sturdy and weatherproof to get through the winter. Think of it as providing them with a temporary home while they rebuild their lives.
**Interviewer:** It’s a heartwarming initiative. How has the De Pere community responded?
**Mike Radue:** This community is incredibly generous. When we put out the call for help, people rallied behind the cause. They donated money, spread the word, and offered support in so many ways.
We’re also fortunate to have FEMA’s support. [[1](https://www.fema.gov/blog/faqs-about-fema-rental-assistance-recreational-vehicles)]FEMA rental assistance can be used for RVs, and this knowledge has helped streamline our efforts.
**Interviewer:** That’s fantastic news. What’s your message to those who might want to contribute or get involved?
**Mike Radue:** Any help, big or small, makes a difference. You can donate funds to our GoFundMe campaign, spread the word on social media, or even donate gently used campers. Every little bit helps bring warmth and hope to these families.
