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MILL SPRING—Formerly known as Appalachian Strong, Come Hell or High Water, the newly formed Polk Referral Center stands as a beacon of hope and support for Polk County and surrounding areas in the wake of recent disasters. 

Michelle Edwards of Mill Spring founded the Center to provide compassionate assistance and essential services. This dedicated referral center and disaster relief hub tirelessly connects individuals and families with vital resources and assistance.

Since its inception, and after Tropical Storm Helene, the Polk Referral Center has hosted an impressive 18 community distribution events, including health screening wellness events and toy distributions for Christmas. The center has distributed over 500 heaters, organized multiple propane giveaways, and provided cold-weather supplies such as jackets and blankets. Their commitment also extends to cleaning and hygiene support, ensuring that families have what they need to stay safe and healthy.

On average, each distribution event supports more than 120 households, highlighting the center’s significant impact on the community. Currently, over 125 households are receiving wrap-around support services, ranging from building material assistance to referrals for essential services. The center partners with local food banks, churches, disaster relief teams, and nonprofits to maximize its outreach.

“One of our primary goals is to rebuild the sense of community as we work to revitalize the area around us,” said Michelle Edwards, Executive Director of the Polk Referral Center. “We have planned several community engagement events to raise awareness and support.”

 Recently, the center participated in the Super Saturday Event and will host a free community concert on April 19th. They are also set to participate in the Columbus 4th of July event and continue collaborating on several community awareness days in the coming months.

With a focus on wellness, the Polk Referral Center has secured partnerships to host community wellness days throughout the summer, supported by Americares. Community integration remains a cornerstone of their mission, with monthly social gatherings planned with distribution events, including BBQs and concerts.

To keep the community informed, the center launched a social media platform on Facebook on October 8th, providing essential resources and up-to-date information. With over 2,700 followers, their posts have garnered an impressive 130,000 views between February 25th and March 25th, demonstrating the need for support in the area.

Operating six days a week, the Polk Referral Center is 100% volunteer-run and dedicated to delivering much-needed assistance to communities across Polk County. 

The Referral Center has several upcoming events. First, a Community Distribution Event will be held on April 12 at the Foothills Humane Society from 1 to 4 p.m. Following that, there will be a Free Community Concert on April 19 at Stearns from 4 to 7 p.m., featuring the band Dixie Dirt. Lastly, another Community Distribution Event is scheduled for April 29 at Share Thy Bread, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m..

Those interested in contributing can make donations through their website at polkreferralcenter.org or by mail at P.O. Box 495, Mill Spring, NC. For more information about services or to get involved, visit PolkReferralCenter.org.