Employees Restore Power and Christmas Joy to Young Flood Victim

Pictured are the Appalachian Power employees who doubled as “Santa’s Helpers” to make a little boy’s Christmas wish come true. Kneeling are Jeremy Barr (left) and AJ Shaffer. Standing left to right are Terry Whittington, Andy Jackson, Rob Morrison and Eric Holtzapfel.

(Story by Teresa Hall)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With a little help from Appalachian Power, Santa recently made a young boy’s Christmas wish come true. After the family lost their West Virginia home to historic flooding in June, the child wrote to Old Saint Nick and plans were soon under way to grant the child’s wish in time for the holidays.

The little boy and his family lost their Clendenin home in June when heavy rain and severe flooding swept through the West Virginia community. The family eventually relocated to a new home, but starting over wasn’t easy.

On a recent fall day, the child’s teacher asked the boy and his classmates to write a letter to Santa so he knew what they wanted for Christmas. The little boy’s list included a remote-controlled car, a bed spread or comforter for his bed, and a white or snowy Christmas, but it was another item that tugged at the hearts of those who read it. The child’s first wish was to have electricity in his new home.

Appalachian Power employees who heard about the family quickly got to work hoping to make the child’s wish come true in time for Christmas. Lassey Munsey, Greta Boggess and Rick Cobb worked as a team to secure the equipment and resources needed for the 1,250-foot, six pole primary extension.

The line crew that completed the project — affectionately known as Santa’s Helpers — included APCo employees Andy Jackson, Rob Morrison, AJ Shaffer, Jeremy Barr, Terry Whittington and Eric Holtzapfel.

This Christmas story was shared with APCo Now by Teresa Tudor, distribution line coordinator in Huntington. For Tudor, the story is evidence Appalachian Power genuinely cares about the people who live in the company’s service area.

“Crossing boundaries and working together to provide service to our customers shows we care,” she said. “We made a little boy’s Christmas wish for his family come true.”

The child’s father said his son’s wish for a remote-controlled car and blanket were also fulfilled. But we will all have to wait and see if Old Saint Nick is able to pull off a white Christmas.