- story written by ACE Executive Director Angelina Spencer-Crisp
In North Carolina, roads remain impassable and communication systems were devastated in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which ripped through the Southeast, leaving a trail of destruction. Rescue efforts are intensifying, but for many residents, the wait for essentials like water, food, and medical supplies has been agonizing. The death toll continues to rise, positioning Helene as one of the deadliest hurricanes to strike the United States in recent memory.
Joey Bien, the president of ACE National and a prominent figure in the local community, is among the many affected by the storm’s devastation. His nightclub was completely flooded and looted in the chaos.
“My concern right now is for all the people who need help,” Bien said. “With the aid of a church, we were able to get temporary supplies, food, and water to some of our people at a staging area. It’s worse than what the news is showing. The loss of life is staggering, and don’t even get me started on the looters.”
“People are real desperate here. We are taking a load of water and supplies today and another next week. If people send me a check, 100% of it will go for supplies to help others. People can’t wait for help or water.” – David “Slim” Baucom
Despite the extensive flooding, looters took advantage of the chaos, breaking into homes and businesses, including Bien’s club, where they stole his safe.
“They stepped over bodies and dug through the mud to get to it. Unbelievable,” Bien recounted, his voice a mixture of disbelief and exhaustion. Still, his focus remains on the community, encouraging people to donate to relief efforts through organizations like the Red Cross.
Meanwhile, David “Slim” Baucom, another ACE Board member and owner of MAL Entertainment, has been on the front lines of relief efforts.
Baucom, along with his sons, run Baucom Transportation Company, Inc. They’ve been delivering crucial supplies to those in need.
“People are real desperate here,” Slim said. “We are taking a load of water and supplies today and another next week. If people send me a check, 100% of it will go for supplies to help others. People can’t wait for help or water.” (See photo at left)
Baucom’s message is clear: the situation is dire, and communities need immediate support.
Donations are being directed to his relief efforts, with checks made payable to David Baucom and sent to:
6161 McDaniel Lane
Charlotte, NC 28213
The scope of the disaster is staggering. 
Hundreds of people remain unaccounted for as cell service continues to falter, leaving loved ones unable to communicate with one another. By Tuesday evening, more than 1.4 million customers across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia were still without power, according to poweroutage.us.
In vast stretches of the Southeast, roads are impassable, trees block crucial supply routes, and bridges are destroyed. The recovery process has been painstakingly slow with gasoline in short supply and information difficult to come by. Local residents and relief workers alike have expressed frustration with state and federal agencies, including FEMA, criticized for the sluggish response. There have been reports of National Guard members waiting for Title X approval at Asheville Airport, delaying their ability to assist in rescue efforts.
As the Southeast reels from this catastrophic event, people like Joey Bien and Slim Baucom are taking matters into their own hands, stepping up for their communities when help is most needed. But in these trying times, even the strongest need support.
This storm has left behind more than just physical destruction — it has torn at the very fabric of the communities it hit. But in the face of adversity, stories of resilience and selflessness, like those of Joey and Slim, are emerging as a beacon of hope. Now, it’s time for the rest of us to follow their example and do what we can to help those in desperate need.
