'Hope is not gone': Spring Lake restaurant, small business remind community to keep faith – The Fayetteville Observer
Lending a helping hand is not unfamiliar to Jon Schmier, and the holiday season is just another opportunity to help, the local restauranteur said.
So, when tragedy struck Mayfield, Kentucky, in the form of a series of deadly twisters this month, Schmier immediately got to work.
Though the storms ravaged a 200-mile-long swath through the state, Mayfield was hardest hit by a monster EF4 tornado Dec. 11 that struck as residents slept, killing at least 76 and destroying hundreds of homes and businesses in the hamlet of 10,000 people.
More: Remembering those who died in the devastating Kentucky tornadoes
By that afternoon, Schmier had posted to his Rustic Burger Facebook pages a request for donations, spearheading the collection of 30,000 pounds of supplies.
On Monday, two box trucks were packed with the hundreds of donated items, including water, clothing, nonperishable food, pet food, baby formula, diapers and wipes.
Most of the donations came from people in the Fayetteville area, including Spring Lake and Hope Mills, according to Schmier. Even Carlie C’s on Cedar Creek Road donated 10 cases of food to Mayfield.
Then Tuesday, Schmier, his wife, Trista, and the owners of Fayetteville trucking company Faith Brothers Logistics made the 700-mile drive to Mayfield to deliver the items.
“I want the community to know that we’re not just a business that makes money, but we’re a business that gives back at the same time,” Schmier said.
In February, the restaurant donated 60,000 pounds of supplies to Texas to help people affected by a winter storm. Last year, they held a fundraiser for a Fayetteville detective battling kidney disease.
In addition to collecting items for Kentuckians, Rustic Burger held a Christmas toy drive for area residents.
Some of those toys will now end up in the hands of Mayfield’s children, Schmier said.
“You have to give back in a time of need,” he said. “I don’t care if you’re in North Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, Colorado, California, we’re coming to you. We’re coming to help you.”
James Alexander and his brother, Cortez Graham, owners of Faith Brothers Logistics, donated the two trucks to deliver the supplies. Alexander said this is the first time he’s ever worked with Schmier, but the two are already planning to collaborate on more community service projects in the future.
Alexander said a tornado like the one in Kentucky could have happened anywhere, including North Carolina. The tragedy hits close to home for him, he said.
One day before the tornado hit Kentucky, one of his employees was set to travel to the state to drop off a load, but the deal fell through, causing him to stay in North Carolina. Both Alexander and Schmier said that was God’s way of protecting the employee.
“My driver called me right after that (tornado) and that’s how I knew about it,” Alexander said. “Now, we’re going back to help. It’s all God’s plan.”
Alexander is a native of Hope Mils and said he too is active in his community through his business. He said it’s important to remind people during the holidays that they’re not alone in their struggles and there are many people in the community who are willing to help their neighbors.
Background:Rustic Burger and its 15-pound burger challenge coming soon to Spring Lake
“We want to let people know that we’re still here in spite of what’s going on. We’re thankful because we have our homes to go to and the shelter and all that, but there’s ones that’s in need right now that don’t have nothing,” he said.
If the pandemic has shown anything, Alexander said, it’s that this is the time for more people to come together.
“Hope is not gone,” Schmier said. “We want to be the light at the end of the tunnel.”
When Rustic Burger advertised its Christmas toy drive in September, Schmier opened up registration for families to apply for toys. More than 240 families applied and were helped, he said.
“That’s one thing I can say about Fayetteville, Spring Lake and Hope Mills — all three come together and they band together,” Schmier said. “When I ask my community members to help out, they help out.”
This holiday season amid tragedy, loss, and uncertainty, Schmier remains committed to his mission to help people in need, hoping his efforts will inspire others to do the same.
“I can’t care less who you are, where you’re from. I couldn’t care less about your age or race, your sexual orientation,” Schmier said. “To me, we’re all the same and we’re all human beings and I’m going to help you no matter who you are.”
Investigative Reporter Kristen Johnson can be reached at kjohnson1@gannett.com.
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