Louder Than Words

BY KIM KOBERSMITH

Champions fight for a cause or on behalf of someone else and this year’s Champions of Appalachia embody that sentiment. Each year, Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) recognizes individuals and organizations that have had a positive, long-term impact in the lives of people in need in Appalachia.

Eula Hall and Big Sandy Healthcare in Grethel, Kentucky, were recognized for their dedication to providing access to healthcare for all. MEI Total Elevator Solutions in Mankato, Minnesota, was recognized as a dedicated volunteer and financial partner with CAP.

“They have had such an impact in the region,” said Marci Hartness, a CAP philanthropy officer and coordinator of this year’s event. “The Champions of Appalachia award exists because CAP recognizes it takes so many different organizations to do this good work.”

Eula Hall was an Appalachian woman with an eighth-grade education that wouldn’t take no for an answer. She saw needless suffering and preventable death as a child, and grew up with the firm belief that no one should be without basic healthcare.

Her legacy is the clinic she founded in 1973 to serve her neighbors. Originally called Mud Creek Clinic, it became part of the nonprofit Big Sandy Healthcare in the late 1970s to provide more services and serve more people. “That clinic absolutely saved lives,” said Hall’s son, Dean Hall, reflecting on a childhood spent at the clinic. “A lot of people had basic diseases, and just needed antibiotics and tetanus shots.”

In 1982, the clinic burned down. That would have stopped many people, but not Eula Hall. The staff saw 20 patients that day, at a picnic table near the remains of the building, then Hall moved the clinic into her own home. The Appalachian Regional Commission grant she secured to rebuild required an $80,000 match, which she raised in six months.

In meeting the needs of her neighbors, Hall was a resource for more than medical care. She did what it took to help anyone who asked her for it, including speaking at Social Security hearings and intervening with the water board. As the clinic’s patient advocate, she often partnered with CAP’s home repair programs to get people ramps and bathrooms in their homes.

The clinic was renamed in 2011 to the Eula Hall Health Center. It carries on in her spirit, providing stateof-the-art care to anyone who needs it. A sliding fee scale makes it accessible to all. “She would have been truly honored to be recognized for her life’s work,” Dean said. “She was recognized by a lot of people, but being a Champion of Appalachia would have stood out to her.”

(above) Eula Hall mentors a community health worker.

(above) Hall stands in the rubble after the health clinic burned down in 1982.

CAP’s other champion is MEI Total Elevator Solutions. Founder John Romnes, a dedicated hands-on philanthropist, heard about CAP’s work when he was developing a vision to build compassion and generosity in the company. MEI already had a robust donation program; Romnes wondered what the impact would be if employees could work firsthand to make a difference.

Since 2019, 46 of MEI’s 300 employees have served on a mission trip to Eastern Kentucky. The seven teams have stayed at the Foley Mission Center and worked on home building and repair. Coralyn Musser, director of outreach and engagement, served on the first team where she helped attach siding to a home. “As much as we help CAP, the blessing is ten-fold for us,” Musser explained. “So many of our employees had never done anything like this before. They have been impacted so much, by getting out of their day-to-day routines and going to love on other people. One returning volunteer said he felt like his heart grew while he was there.”

This relationship led to MEI supporting special projects on CAP’s wish list. They funded the renovation of a small shed at the Foley Center to provide much-needed storage space for supplies and donated new mattress covers that are easier to remove and clean. “John Romnes said Jesus went about doing good without expecting things in return,” Musser added. “Our employees have grown more compassionate and developed a new level of patience by volunteering. We are building a company culture of generosity.”

The annual Champions of Appalachia celebration is underwritten by NetGain Technologies, a leading provider of Information Technology services and solutions since 1984. NetGain’s sponsorship supports CAP’s mission to build hope, transform lives, and share Christ’s love through service in Appalachia.

(above) In May, MEI employees helped repair a home damaged by flooding. The husband, wife, and two young children were living in the home with water damage and no central heat or air conditioning.

(above) Since 2019, MEI Total Elevator Solutions have had 46 of its 300 employees serve on a mission trip to Eastern Kentucky.