What began as an ordinary rainy day in Unicoi County, nestled deep in the valleys of East Tennessee, quickly turned into a tragedy that will be remembered for generations. Gentle raindrops soon gave way to a relentless flood, sweeping away everything in its path. In a matter of hours, homes, businesses and family farms — some built and nurtured over decades — were completely destroyed.
For the first time since the 2020 COVID-19 quarantine, life in the town of Erwin came to a standstill. Schools stayed closed until November, while families gradually rebuilt their homes and business owners assessed their losses, deciding whether to reopen or shut their doors for good. Yet, amongst the wreckage, the town’s high school students continued to stay active and involved in their community.
Specifically, it was the high school’s FFA chapter that stepped up in a remarkable way. The Erwin FFA Chapter embodied the FFA motto of “Living to Serve” like never before, answering its community’s needs in a time of crisis. Members visited several local family farms, offering not only their hard work, but also a powerful reminder to farmers that they were not facing this hardship alone.
Peggy Cantrell and Mike Barroso, homeowners of one of the properties the Erwin FFA Chapter helped restore, shared their heartfelt gratitude. “We are so impressed with the FFA students, and grateful to each of them and their teacher,” they said.
These volunteer efforts were far from one-time acts of kindness. The chapter returned again and again, continuing to lend a hand and heart to the community it loves. Erwin FFA stands beside its neighbors, shows up with empathy and turns compassion into action — ultimately remembering community and service can rebuild not only structures, but spirits.
“Living to Serve” is more than a motto; it’s a promise FFA members continue to uphold by showing up when it matters most.
