Volunteer: Amy Maffei

When Winter Storm Fern hit Middle Tennessee in January, the scale of destruction was staggering. Neighborhoods were left covered in fallen trees, debris, and damage that will take months to clear.

Following its merger with United Way of Greater Nashville in early 2024, the nonprofit organization Hands On Nashville has continued to strengthen and expand its ability to mobilize volunteers in moments like these. But as always, Hands On volunteers stepped in immediately, guided by Disaster Volunteer Leaders (DVLs) who help coordinate and lead the response.

Among them was Amy Maffei, whose passion for service goes back to her college days at the University of Dayton.

“Their motto was ‘Learn, Lead, and Serve,’ and that really shaped me,” she reflected. There were many service opportunities at the university, and that experience is why Amy continues to enjoy participating in service activities today.

Amy discovered the DVL program while looking for her next volunteer project on the Hands On website. With years of leadership experience in her professional life, she realized she could bring those same skills to disaster response.

“The DVL training did a great job of showing me how to take what I already knew and apply it in a crisis,” Amy said. “It made me realize the impact one person can have when they help guide others.”

Finding Strength in Teamwork

During and after Winter Storm Fern, Amy had the chance to put that training into action. She noticed immediately how quickly Hands On mobilized—coordinating with partner organizations, identifying needs, and creating signups for Red Cross warming shelters and debris cleanup shifts.

“The turnaround time from disaster to a coordinated response was honestly impressive,” Amy said. “You see the incredible amount of preparation behind the scenes, and you understand why DVLs matter so much.”

A recent cleanup shift stands out. Amy’s team arrived at a home where enormous fallen trees covered a steep property. At first, it felt overwhelming.

But by the end of the shift, the group stood next to a massive pile of brush, looking back at a dramatically cleared hillside, realizing what a difference a few hours can make.

“We were genuinely surprised by how much we were able to get done as a team, and I know I wasn’t the only one who felt proud of what we accomplished,” Amy shared.

Disaster Leaders Scale Response

Disaster Volunteer Leaders play a crucial role in moments of crisis. They help United Way and Hands On scale their response by:

• Guiding groups of volunteers, including people who may be helping for the very first time 
• Ensuring safety, especially with chainsaws, heavy debris, and unpredictable terrain 
• Creating structure and efficiency, so every volunteer shift results in meaningful progress 
• Helping maintain momentum, shift after shift, until neighborhoods recover.

During large-scale cleanup operations, Hands On can only activate as many volunteers as there are leaders available to guide them. That’s why DVLs are essential and why this is a moment when more people stepping up can make a significant difference.

“You don’t need special skills. Just show up with a good attitude and a willingness to work. It is genuinely energizing to help your neighbor.”

Amy Maffei

A Call to Join the Effort

Amy hopes her experience encourages others to consider becoming a DVL—or simply signing up for a debris cleanup shift.

“There are so many ways to help,” she said. “You don’t need special skills. Just show up with a good attitude and a willingness to work. It is genuinely energizing to help your neighbor.”

Her message is simple and timely:

“Now is the moment for our community to come together. If you’ve ever thought about helping, this is the time to step up. Even one shift makes a real impact.”