Elite Power and Energy supports hurricane relief fund

January 20, 2025 By Chris Lewis

Photo by K.D. Tidwell, Elite Power and Energy

After observing Hurricane Helene’s destruction, as it was reported by news outlets and on social media, K.D. Tidwell, president of Elite Power and Energy Corp., knew he had to help.

So, he decided to travel to western North Carolina and provide a load of generators to those in need. Upon arriving in Swannanoa and witnessing the sheer devastation firsthand, he realized that one trip – to drop off generators and supplies – was simply not going to be enough.

“Lives were going to be changed forever from this storm, and residents were going to need help for months, if not years,” Tidwell says. “I needed to acquire donations.”

Hence, a 501(c)(3), known as The Propane and Power Relief Fund, was created alongside Nicole Sullivan (Tiger Fuels), Jamie Devens (Superior Plus Propane), Tim Carlson (Centennial Energy) and John McKenzie (Woodgate Petroleum).

Since creating the fund in the fall, the quintet has dedicated several hours to Hurricane Helene relief efforts, all while keeping the fund’s motto (“Working for handshakes and hugs”) in mind.

For instance, Tidwell drives to western North Carolina every Thursday or Friday, works all weekend and then returns to his Virginia-based headquarters every Sunday or Monday. He also planned to volunteer in the area from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day.

As the owner of a company that provides backup power (70 percent of its business) and propane (30 percent of its business) to roughly 6,000 commercial, government, industrial and residential clients in the Washington, D.C., metro area, Tidwell has been able to use his connections and resources to assist hundreds of North Carolina citizens.

“We’ve provided and connected generators for power and well water, as well as propane for heat and cooking,” he says. “We’ve also given people food and essentials, especially those who are in the most remote and vulnerable areas.”

Tidwell says he has observed the worst conditions imaginable, devastation that he emphasizes simply can’t “be understood via the written word or photographs because they can’t do justice to the effects the disaster is having on people.” Homelessness has become commonplace in the region, as has the necessity for essentials – just to survive.

Therefore, Tidwell and the other co-creators of the fund need as much assistance as possible. Specifically, cash donations can be used to buy propane for residents, allowing them to maintain heat in their tents, campers, makeshift (shed) homes or tiny homes as they strive to get their lives back in order.

In addition, donations are used to support volunteer organizations.

Those who are willing to assist the fund can visit propanepowerrelief.com, as every donation will help restore citizens’ lives, Tidwell says.

“Imagine losing everything you own and your job because that building is gone, too. Your car is also gone because it washed down the river,” Tidwell says. “These folks have survived with the clothes on their backs – folks that we will continue to help for as long as they need our assistance.”