As I look back on the beginning of our time as Aveanna Healthcare, I am reminded of the tragic Floods that affected our Louisiana Locations in the very beginning. We reached out to our new leadership and they said, “What do you need? We are standing by to jump in and help physically and financially.” Many locations stepped up, asked what we needed, and sent Amazon orders with our wish list items. Baton Rouge staff stepped up and boxed items up for distribution to our caregivers ASAP. Tony Strange flew in to New Orleans with cash to disperse to our caregivers. Dorla, myself, and Tony packed as much as we could into the car and headed out to deliver money and supplies. Tony ensured we had what we needed and got sweaty right with us. We then decided to stop by and see a vented patient that was pulled out of the flood waters in a 3x3 physical therapy float. We saw the patient who required total care, along with his nurse who was working as much as she could while dealing with her losses as well. The look that was seen on Tony’s face that day, when he saw that patient, was a true moment of “OUR WHY” we do what we do. It was that moment that let Dorla and I know that under new leadership our patients and staff weren’t just numbers. From there the Aveanna Employee Relief Fund was developed, and many employees have been helped in times of need. We are family, there to help each other, no matter what title we have. We are Aveanna Strong.