Originally published on July 29, 2024.

By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV

After living in a local hotel for a month due to a burst water pipe during a storm, all of Morgan Manor’s residents are now back home.

“As Dorothy said, ‘Home is the best place,’” said local resident Katherine Walcott.

Morgan Manor is a government-subsidized housing complex operated by RLJ Management. It comprises 32 apartments primarily intended for seniors. Many of the seniors are physically challenged and few are able to move around on their own.

While staying at the hotel, local residents Pam Harders and Miranda Huffman, along with Paul Brown of Greenbrier County Emergency Management, coordinated unmet needs. Pam organized transportation and laundry while Miranda provided meals with assistance from Eric Mercer of Ronceverte, WV.

Residents received at least one meal a day from restaurants, private individuals and churches while away from home.

On Sunday afternoon, Harders and Brown brought pizza to celebrate the homecoming of all the residents.

“It’s a wonderful day, everyone is back home,” Harders told the residents. “And we brought a little something for you.”

Community members raised more than $5,000 for the needs of the residents, which Harders administered through her church, Edgewood Presbyterian. She used the funds to purchase Cornerstone IGA grocery vouchers for each resident. Harders surprised residents with the gift vouchers at the party on Sunday.

“We lost our food when the power went out and we had to move,” Walcott said through tears. “Thank you so much. This really helps. You have made our time away from home more enjoyable.”

Harders said any leftover funds will be donated to Greenbrier County’s local emergency planning committee to help meet unmet needs during the next natural disaster.