When the residual storms of Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina in late 2024, SCL Director of Facilities Lloyd Hale watched the images of destruction flooding news channels. The scenes of washed-out roads, collapsed homes, and displaced families brought back memories from a 2005 volunteer experience in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Memories of those experiences left a mark on Lloyd and motivated him to act once again.
Lloyd had recently retired from motocross racing, a hobby that required specialized transportation equipment. Sitting unused in his driveway was his “toy hauler” – a trailer for motocross bikes equipped with a small living area, including bathroom and kitchen facilities. As he watched coverage of families who had lost everything in North Carolina, Lloyd realized his toy hauler could provide immediate shelter for someone in desperate need.
The connection came unexpectedly through social media. While scrolling through Facebook, Lloyd encountered
Chris Hensley, a man whose North Carolina home had been destroyed by Helene’s floodwaters. Though Chris and his wife had the good fortune of a second home in Texas, where they could stay temporarily, he was actively seeking ways to help his neighbors who weren’t so fortunate. Many remained in the disaster zone with nowhere to go.
Lloyd contacted Chris with his offer to donate the toy hauler. As they discussed logistics, Lloyd realized there was an additional opportunity to involve the SCL Community and employees. Working with the SCL HR department, Lloyd intiated an organization-wide donation drive focusing on critical supplies – water, toilet paper, diapers, and cleaning products – items the Big Ivy Community Center in Barnardsville, North Carolina, had identified as urgent needs.
SCLs and employees responded enthusiastically, filling the toy hauler with essential items. Once loaded, Lloyd and Chris met in Arkansas on January 31, 2025. Chris then completed the journey, delivering both the trailer and supplies to North Carolina, where they would make an immediate difference.
The Big Ivy Community Center now manages the toy hauler as a community resource. Their plan ensures that as one family’s home is finished, another displaced family utilizes the temporary shelter.
Lloyd’s desire to repurpose an unused possession will help several families. The toy hauler, once used for recreation and sport, now provides shelter and hope for families working to rebuild their lives after catastrophic loss.
This article appeared in the 2025 Summer Edition of Voices of Charity.
