Discovering McDowell County, West Virginia
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Published 2019-05-10
During one of our BYBM meetings, I mentioned to one of our directors, Julie O'Brien that we should do an act of kindness in West Virginia. Before I could finish my sentence, she said McDowell County, and that it was the poorest county in America. She suggested that we do something to help them out. I looked up the county on the internet and realized that the people there are suffering due to the loss of coal jobs and two major floods in the early 2000s. We decided that the best method would be to get in touch with a local priest in the county and get some guidance from them on how we can assist. After calling many churches, I finally got in touch with Father Tony a pastor in a church in Welch, McDowell County.
I made a plan to drive up there and meet him. I also loaded a truck full of food as the church held a food drive every few weeks to distribute food and clothes to those in need around the area.
BYBM is based in Loudoun County, the wealthiest county in the USA - about a five and a half hour drive from Welch. After a few lengthy conversations, Father Tony invited me to come and stay with him at the church. I departed on Monday, 11th March to head out to McDowell County. I wanted to speak to the locals and to learn first-hand what they were going through and what help would benefit them the most. I planned to spend a night at the church and return the next day. Here is my experience with the wonderful people of Welch. You can hear in their own words about the challenges they are facing and what help they need.
The people of McDowell county are in urgent need of food, clothing and daily necessities. Best You Best Me is conducting a food drive where will fill a truck in Loudoun County and drive it to McDowell county on June 9, 2019. Visit www.bestyoubestme.org/projects/mcdowell-county/ to find out how you can help out.
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All Comments (21)
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So I'm a truck driver from California. I had mechanical issues in Formost WV. I stopped into the Auto zone. They offered tools and anything I needed to do my repair. Even let me park in the back of the property while I worked on my truck. Very kind folks in Wonderful West Virginia.
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They nailed a man for saying love and care for each other brother
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Hang in there world,the sunshine comes after the rain...unity,kindness,help anyone you can in any way you can...well all win together...never give up and always be greatfull for all you have,people with nothing do.💚🍀💚love to all helping worldwide and thank you,you all are real hero's💚👍✅
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“You will know them by their works.”
Thank you brothers and sisters for your compassion and loving your neighbor as the Father commands. -
What a powerful testament to the humanity of so many good people. We lose sight of that sometimes. Thank you for showing us some fine people.
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Welch sounds like a lovely family oriented town. I think there's enough ingenuity and wealth in this country to bring development and jobs to this town. I pray God will bless this town with a wonderful miracle. ❤
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The story of Eugene brought a tear to my eye. Such a good work those folks are doing.
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I'm from Georgia. Yet I feel a profound sense of brotherhood with these folks in West By God Virginia.
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My dad was born in Welch and his family was raised in Panther, West Virginia. I visited there several times. I love the mountains, hollers, homemade food and most of all the lifestyle. So friendly and laid-back. Everyone has left for Virginia and North Carolina. Thank God for caring people who help the people of McDowell County. Greetings to all the mountain folk and God bless all Coal Miners.
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@3 19 The Brick House on the Left is my grandparents house I fell off the porch and many of times on there because my grandmother used to water her flowers I would run on the porch and fall off this video brings chills to my soul
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If you are a person of faith, learn from this video.
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We used to be proud when we could take care of ourselves. All industries have abandoned us. We gave our all but recieved nothing in return
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It is so depressing to watch this that some place in this country (the strongest nation in the world) their priority is to have food to put on the table.
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I've never been but with all the stories my family has told me about Welch I feel like I know this place. One thing they always told me they didn't have nothing but they had LOVE ❤ now that my mother had passed away I've got to get her ashes home I know that's where she wants to be! Soon as I get the money to come I'll be there ! And I won't to see every thing so all the stories can come to life for me ❤ until then God bless you all!! Sending prayers and love ❤️
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Wow, watching this made my eyes teary. I hope all these people will get whatever they need very soon. Happy and proud that people there helping each other. God bless you all my brothers and sisters of West Virginia - By your brother from far away in another side of the globe - India
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My wife and I just love McDowell County. It’s an absolutely beautiful mountain area with one of the best recreational ATV trail system in the country. The Hatfield and McCoy trails are safe and well maintained. We just love to take our motor home to Ashland ATV Resort and we usually stay for at least two weeks. The staff is fabulous and the people in the local area are just wonderful.
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I love McDowell county, I was born there 💙💛
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Yeah right. I loved my hometown there in Kimball but I moved to Raleigh NC, 20 years ago after the 2nd major flood in 2002 because they didn't help anyone rebuild. They just wanted to throw us in a FEMA trailer on top of Mount View and forgot about us. Drugs was bad but it really got bad after the floods. I lost my job and most of my family left. My Dad died in 2006 in Vivian and I really didn't have any reason to even come back. I do miss home everyday but there's just nothing there anymore. That's why McDowell County is struggling so bad nowadays. If people were nicer and fought like they are now, I wouldn't have left. And if the government or state would have done more for us after both floods, a lot of people would have stayed. Especially me.
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My husband and I taught in McDowell County. Best people and children in the world. We loved it there!
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Watching this video really makes me want to get back home to wv. The people, the culture, the piece of mind when i'm there. Unfortunately, i left home to go to school for a new career, profession as cld a cdl driver. Moved to southern texas, employment ended because of covid-19, now I am stuck. Most jobs here, require (bilingual) Spanish. I ONLY know English. I know times are tough for everyone, but some of us are having a little harder time. Compassion and respect for your neighbor, is I think the hardest challenge that I face .. This place offers 2 things.. (1) They don't care, and (2) They don't speak the language, and don't want to understand. Maybe someone else feeling home sick, watching this video can understand
