December has always been one of my favorite months of the year. I love the Christmas season and finally being able to settle into the crisp, cold weather. Also, I admittedly have a weakness for any hot beverage (apple cider, mulled wine, hot chocolate – you name it) and, while I fervently believe it’s a year-round food, soup becomes a staple of my diet.
Since I started working with ALAN four years ago, there’s an additional reason I enjoy this month: It brings Hurricane Season to a close.
Our team always welcomes a reprieve from the high probability of storm formation, even as we continue to assist with recovery efforts for the storms that are now (thankfully) in the rear-view mirror – and prepare to help with the rebuilding efforts that will occupy communities like Asheville, Lenoir and Johnson City for many years to come.
If there’s one takeaway I have from this year’s historically destructive Hurricane Season, it’s that I’m proud to be a member of the supply chain industry.
Sound logistics really is at the heart of every successful relief effort, because without it help wouldn’t be able to arrive as soon or as often. Your generosity throughout these last few difficult months has not only enabled us to deliver life-saving aid when it was needed most, it’s also given us the resources to keep delivering that help well into 2025 – and beyond.
Just as George Bailey once learned that “No man is a failure who has friends,” I now know that as long as ALAN has people like you in our corner, our work will continue to make a difference in the lives of disaster survivors and those who serve them for many years to come. And that makes me feel merry indeed.
Thank you for always being ALAN advocates – and happiest of holidays to you all.
Emilee Martichenko
Communications Coordinator
American Logistics Aid Network
