Volunteers unite to support workers restoring power

What started as a casual chat on Facebook turned into homecooked meals, fresh laundry and a warm reception for a group of electrical linemen working to restore power in Broward County.

Chelsea Geair, an ultrasound technician from Cooper City, was scrolling down her Facebook feed shortly after Hurricane Irma when she saw a post looking for volunteers to wash linemen’s dirty clothes.

Within a day, she had eight women doing laundry with her and 10 more bringing donations including Gatorade, snacks, toiletries and homemade dinners.

“Originally I was just washing and folding clothes,” she explained. “When I asked for help from my city, it turned into something more!”

Geair’s aunt would pick up the linemen’s clothes from their hotel at 5:30 a.m. as they left for work. “Then we’d all get to washing,” she said. “We put bags of toiletries and some put thank you notes and cards in their laundry bags.”

In the evening, the linemen would return — Chelsea Geair, ultrasound technician

to clean clothes, as well as trays of sausage and peppers, chicken, pasta and fresh baked cookies in addition to a counter full of fruit and bags with toothbrushes, soap and chapstick.

“I knew I had to get involved when I saw on Facebook people were being rude to these guys about not restoring their power fast enough,” she said. “I am not related to any linemen, but I just feel for everyone. I know it was hot and miserable with no power, but these crews left home and are working in our 90 degree weather.”

After returning to her hotel to find a new, mesh laundry bag with a new pack of socks, toiletries and a handwritten thank you card, linewoman Bonnie Knopf took to Facebook to express her appreciation to the volunteers.

“What a wonderful experience this encounter with them has been,” Knopf wrote. “We have gained new friends now and hope to repay their gratitude someday either directly or by paying it forward to someone else.”

Geair hopes that community’s lead.

“They work all day and when they get off, they don’t get to be with their families or have a hot meal,” she said. “These people are risking their lives and leaving their families for us. The least I can do is wash their clothes and bring them some necessities. They are so grateful for our help, but I think I am even more thankful to them.” others

ebloch@sun-sentinel.com will follow her