Category 4 Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, with winds topping 130 mph. Residents of the affected areas lost everything, and inspired Nick Russo and family to open their places of work, Reagle Dodge and Klaver’s Auto in Pen Argyl, to donations. After filling an entire 18-wheeler truck, the Russos and the Klavers left for Texas, calling themselves “Operation Slate Belt Loves Texas.”

“Through social media Operation Slate Belt really took off, and we soon filled Reagle Dodge and Klaver’s Auto. It was literally filled to the point of not being able to walk inside the dealership,” Bangor High Alumnus Nick Russo said. “All of the donations were collected within two days, which was pretty amazing. It blew up to the point of needing a tractor trailer and a 26-foot box truck to haul the donations.”

Danielle Holmes Klaver, wife of owner of Klaver’s Auto, live-streamed their journey on Facebook. After driving over 24 hours, the crew finally arrived in Texas to distribute their donations to devastated families. From food to fuel, Operation Slate Belt certainly brought a sense of relief to the suffering people.

“Seeing the devastation is something I will never forget. We impacted a lot of people’s lives, but there was definitely a strong sense of guilt when we left Texas,” Russo said. “There were so many people still in need and we were driving home to our dry homes and jobs. They didn’t have that ‘off switch’ to escape like we could.”

When category 5 Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida on September 10, Operation Slate Belt decided to once again open their place of work to donations, along with eight other locations*. The team will be leaving for Jacksonville, Florida on Friday, September 22.

Russo has also started his own non-profit disaster relief organization called “American Way”. On the organization’s Facebook page, supporters will be able to follow their upcoming journey, and make donations as well.

“I couldn’t have done it without all the support I have received from the community through donations, along with the tremendous team of people who came with me,” Russo said. “It all started as an idea my dad and I were talking about, but it turned into so much more.”

*Reagle Dodge-Pen Argyl, PA

Vogler Auto Repair- Alpha, NJ

Mama Vapes-Hackettstown, NJ

Mama Vapes-Clinton, NJ

Bobby’s Auto Repair- Washington, NJ

Lebanon Township Fire Department

Hair Therapy- Nazareth, PA

Klaver’s Auto-Bangor, PA

Note: If anyone would like to volunteer at “American Way”, please contact Nick Russo at [email protected].