Serving Up Hope

When Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, thousands of people in the Mississippi and Louisiana areas were left without food, shelter, or clothing. Stranded in wrecked cities and deprived of basic necessities, many families struggled to make it through their day-to-day lives. But in the aftermath of one of the deadliest hurricanes to hit the United States, some generous individuals saw an opportunity to help, and took action.

Jerry Walley, a Sales Manager for Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions, Inc., was one of those individuals. Raised in Monticello, Louisiana, Walley knew that people on the coast were in desperate need for help. Overnight, he made the decision to travel to New Orleans with a crew of fellow Ergon employees, customers and volunteers willing to help. “We had a lot of guys who never lit a cook stove,” Walley said. He and his team served breakfast, lunch, and dinner, working around the clock to provide meals to anyone who asked. There was no menu. Just quick hands, caring hearts and food ready to be cooked.

This was not the first time Walley and his crews have helped out during a disaster. The team cooked for survivors of hurricanes Ike, Gustav, and Rita as well. Seeing people lose everything has had a significant personal impact on Walley. “You don’t appreciate things until you see loss,” Walley said. “I think about what Mr. Bill Lampton says, ‘To give is a blessing.’ Bill says Ergon is a caring company, a loving company. It’s a family. That makes a difference.” After doing all he can in crisis zones, Walley remains in contact with the volunteers who came with him, helping that family grow ever larger.

During quieter times, Walley and his crew put their skills to use by cooking for fundraisers, golf tournaments, appreciation days, and retirement parties. According to Walley, “It’s all geared around the mechanism of Ergon – what we can do to improve our standing in the community with Ergon.” He has great respect for the Lampton family and others who take time out of their daily lives to lend a hand to those in need. “If it had not been for the Lampton family and those who say, ‘Let’s go,’ it wouldn’t be possible, so one hundred percent credit goes to the family,” said Walley, “The love there in that family, you just don’t find that every day.”