The Trucking Cares Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Pardee Hospital Foundation, marking the largest single contribution ever made by the charitable arm of the trucking industry. This extraordinary donation, made possible through the connections of caring individuals, will directly aid UNC Health Pardee employees and the community in recovering from the widespread devastation caused by Tropical Storm Helene.
The story of this impactful grant began with Phil Byrd, a Hendersonville resident, heart attack survivor, and immediate past chairman of the Trucking Cares Foundation. Earlier this year, Byrd received life-saving care at Pardee Hospital, an experience that inspired him and his wife, Patti, to deepen their ongoing support for the hospital’s mission. When their close friend Debbie Rouse, a Pardee Hospital Foundation board member, shared the extent of the storm’s impact on the hospital and its employees, Byrd saw an opportunity to connect the Foundation’s needs with the trucking industry’s resources.
“Pardee Hospital saved my life when I suffered a heart attack in June,” Byrd shared. “Patti and I were already deeply moved by the work being done through the Women Helping Women program. But learning about the storm’s impact on Pardee and its employees solidified our commitment to act.”
The Byrds had already made a personal donation to Pardee’s recovery efforts when Phil proposed the idea of a larger contribution at an upcoming Trucking Cares Foundation board meeting. His heartfelt testimony about Pardee’s role in the community and the challenges faced by its staff inspired the foundation to shift its focus. “Typically, the foundation makes several smaller donations to different causes,” Byrd explained. “But what happened to Pardee’s employees truly touched us. We decided as a board to dedicate this record-breaking grant to support Pardee Hospital Foundation’s work.”
The $50,000 grant will provide essential assistance to Pardee teammates, many of whom are grappling with housing repairs, mold remediation, and tree removal. Despite their losses, these healthcare professionals have remained steadfast in their commitment to care for their community.
“In the wake of this catastrophe, we have seen countless examples of neighbors stepping up to help,” said Greg Owen, chairman of the Trucking Cares Foundation. “The skilled and compassionate medical staff at UNC Health Pardee have been a lifeline for residents in the region both before and after this historic storm. As the trucking industry works to get western North Carolina back on its feet by delivering the materials required for recovery, we hope that this donation will support Pardee staff’s ongoing efforts to address the vital healthcare needs of the local population.”
Amy Treece, Executive Director of Pardee Hospital Foundation, emphasized the partnership’s importance and the gift’s impact. “This grant is a powerful example of how connections and shared compassion can make a transformative difference,” Treece said. “The Trucking Cares Foundation’s generosity will not only provide relief to our dedicated staff but also reflect the incredible spirit of collaboration that sustains our community.”
