In February 2021, winter storm Uri drastically affected the United States — especially in states like Texas, where homes are not prepared for extreme cold.

Watching the devastation unfold from states away, founding partner of Ease Plumbing and Air Austin Helms ’16 was approached by one of his technicians with an idea.

“One of my guys, Aaron Williams, came to me and said things were getting really bad in Texas,” said Helms. “He had this crazy idea to load up the truck and go down there to help.”

Because of Helms’s experience in the undergraduate business program, the UNC Kenan-Flagler Advancement Team contacted nearly 50 alumni and friends in the Dallas area to spread the word that Ease Plumbing was headed their way. 

“Everyone was in chaos down here,” said Kathy Crow, who heard about Ease Plumbing through the Business School grapevine. “Nobody had groceries, and friends were looking for firewood. Ease Plumbing came at a time when we really needed them, and they were so industrious — they were willing to take any job.”

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