Earl May delivers free soil to those in need

Staff members David Williams and Chloe Vogel of the Newton Earl May drove around town Friday, Aug. 21 searching for yard that had been damaged by the derecho.

As they spotted yards in need, they stopped and offered soil to the homeowners free of charge to help fill in holes. Williams had the idea as he was driving through Newton and noticed a need as people were cleaning up their properties. He pitched the idea to the store manager, Michele Williams, who had been wanting to find a way to help those in need.

“This year has been stressful and full of so many uncertainties that giving away soil seems insignificant. However, if some soil gives them one less thing to have to think about, especially when topsoil has been a bit hard to find this year, then we were all about it,” Michele Williams said.

They ran the idea by the Earl May corporate office and were given an instant “OK” to go forward with the project. The local store gave away two pallets worth of soil, which is around 120 bags. They handed it out until the supply was gone.

Dave Williams and Vogel enjoyed the opportunity to help those in need and get the chance to talk about people’s stories and how they were recovering from the storm.