Tom and Eileen live in Wanchese where Tom has been a dedicated employee at a local seafood company for almost four decades. Eileen is a teaching assistant at a local school.
In 2021 Tom came down with a Covid infection that resulted in damage to his heart. After a three-week hospitalization, doctors recommended he receive cardiac surgery. But before that could happen, Tom needed critical dental work performed.
As Tom moved forward with this treatment plan, he was out of work for many months. Eileen had to reduce her work hours to help care for Tom and take him to medical appointments. Their bills were growing while their income was not.
Eileen approached Interfaith Community Outreach in Kill Devil Hills who referred her to the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. Because of the support they received from the Relief Foundation, Tom and Eileen were able to pay off their dental bills and stay current on their mortgage.
At the time this story was written, Eileen was back to work part time, and Tom was hoping to return soon. Eileen said,
“Everyone at the Relief Foundation was understanding, accessible, kind and helpful – we could not have asked to be treated any better.”
Tom and Eileen are full of appreciation. Support from the Relief Foundation
“was a real blessing during a difficult season.”
*Although this story and these quotes are accurate, these are not Tom and Eileen’s real names or likenesses.
