When Winter Storm Fern hit Middle Tennessee, the scale of destruction was staggering. Neighborhoods were left covered in fallen trees, debris, and damage that will take months to clear. But as always, Hands On volunteers stepped in immediately, guided by Disaster Volunteer Leaders (DVLs) who help coordinate and lead the response.
Among them was Amy Maffei (pictured here 6th from the left in orange), whose journey with Hands On began simply to explore volunteer opportunities for herself and her family. Over time, it grew into something deeper. Amy’s passion for service goes back to her college days at the University of Dayton. “Their motto was Learn, Lead, and Serve, and that really shaped me,” she reflected. There were many service opportunities there, and that experience is why Amy continues to enjoy participating in service activities today. It was while browsing the Hands On website, looking for her next volunteer project, that Amy first discovered the DVL program. With years of leadership experience in her professional life, she realized she could bring those same skills to disaster response. “The DVL training did a great job of showing me how to take what I already knew and apply it in a crisis,” Amy said. “It made me realize the impact one person can have when they help guide others.”
Finding Strength in Community During the Storm. During and after Winter Storm Fern, Amy had the chance to put that training into action. She noticed immediately how quickly Hands On mobilized—coordinating with partner organizations, identifying needs, and creating sign ups for Red Cross warming shelters and debris cleanup shifts. “The turnaround time from disaster to a coordinated response was honestly impressive,” Amy said. “You see the incredible amount of preparation behind the scenes, and you understand why DVLs matter so much.” A recent cleanup shift stands out. Amy’s team arrived at a home where enormous fallen trees covered a steep property. At first, it felt overwhelming. But by the end of the shift, the group stood next to a massive pile of brush, looking back at a dramatically cleared hillside, realizing what a difference a few hours can make. “We were genuinely surprised by how much we were able to get done as a team, and I know I wasn’t the only one who felt proud of what we accomplished,” Amy shared.
Why DVLs Matter — Especially Right Now
Disaster Volunteer Leaders play a crucial role in moments like this. They help Hands On scale its response by:
Guiding groups of volunteers, including people who may be helping for the very first time
Ensuring safety, especially with chainsaws, heavy debris, and unpredictable terrain
Creating structure and efficiency, so every shift results in meaningful progress
Helping maintain momentum, shift after shift, until neighborhoods recover
During large scale cleanup operations, Hands On can only activate as many volunteers as there are leaders available to guide them. Thatís why DVLs are essentialóand why this is a moment when more people stepping up would make a significant difference.
A Call to Join the Effort. Amy hopes her experience encourages others to consider becoming a DVLóor simply signing up for a debris cleanup shift. ìThere are so many ways to help,î she said. ìYou donít need special skills. Just show up with a good attitude and a willingness to work. It is genuinely energizing to help your neighbor.î Her message is simple and timely. Now is the moment for our community to come together. If youíve ever thought about helping, this is the time to step up. Even one shift makes a real impact. Learn more.
—Kris Weise, Director Marketing and Communications – www.unitedwaygreaternashville.org
