Commissioner Rebecca McCall's leadership during Henderson County's storm recovery stands as a testament to community resilience and public service excellence. Recently honored with the Athena Leadership Award, McCall shares the remarkable behind-the-scenes story of how county government transformed overnight to meet unprecedented challenges.
When the storm hit and communications failed, McCall and her team improvised brilliantly. County employees abandoned their regular duties, with office workers staffing donation warehouses and others conducting door-to-door wellness checks after concerned calls flooded in from across the country. As McCall poignantly describes it, they "went back to the 1800s as far as communication goes," with staff physically driving trucks to find and connect key personnel when modern technology failed them.
Perhaps most impressive was McCall's rapid establishment of a massive resource center in an empty 157,000 square foot building. Through quick thinking and community connections, she secured the facility within 24 hours of identifying the need. What began as a single pallet of water grew exponentially, eventually supplying not just Henderson County but neighboring communities as well. The location proved providential – situated near I-26 just before the highway closure, making it accessible to both donors and those in need. As McCall reflects, "I truly believe that God had that facility built for that purpose."
The outpouring of volunteer support touched McCall deeply, particularly those from Bat Cave who had "lost everything" yet still came to help others. This spirit of giving extended beyond county lines, with volunteers arriving from other states to assist for days or weeks. These moments of human connection amid crisis – what McCall calls "miracle after miracle" – reveal the true character of a community when faced with adversity. As Henderson County continues its recovery with approximately 50% of debris cleanup complete and new initiatives like the Hickory Nut Gorge Community Council forming, McCall's leadership reminds us of the extraordinary impact one dedicated public servant can have during our most challenging times.