At Trane Technologies, we lift each other up and care about the success and well-being of others.

That’s why the people of Trane Technologies jumped at the chance to help the community of Mayfield, Kentucky, after an EF4 tornado tore through town on December 10, leaving destruction in its path.

While the tornado barreled toward her hometown of Mayfield, Stacey Brown anxiously awaited news from her parents, aunts, uncles and cousins, who all live there. Stacey is a collections leader for Trane Technologies’ Residential HVAC & Supply business.

She was relieved they were mostly unharmed, but several family members had lost everything, and all were without electricity, heat and running water. That weekend, Stacey gathered supplies and delivered them to her family members. What she saw in Mayfield shocked her.

“The photos you see on the news don’t compare to the devastation I saw when I pulled into town,” Stacey said. “I was not prepared for what I saw – I could see straight through my hometown. There wasn’t a building, tree or powerline standing.”

Her work wasn’t done

Stacey was back at work on Monday, but her mind was still in Mayfield. During a team meeting, Jason Bingham, president of the Residential HVAC & Supply business asked Stacey how the team can help.

“I don’t even know how Jason knew I’m from Mayfield,” Stacey said. “I’ve been with the company for almost 15 years, and I’m always thinking of how I can help others – but never myself. So I was floored by the offer of help.”

Not knowing which non-profit organizations to support or if they can get supplies to people quickly enough, Stacey took matters into her own hands—literally. She offered to collect donations and provide an Amazon Wishlist for anyone interested in purchasing goods directly and having them shipped to her house.

“I was overwhelmed with the response from my team members and other people at Trane who I don’t even know personally,” Stacey said. “My colleagues shared the donation info with their teams and others in the business, and about half the donations were from people I’ve never met. I was blown away by how many of our people wanted to help.”

She thought of everything

Armed with $7,000 in donations from about 50 employees at Trane Technologies and a list of urgent needs provided by friends in Mayfield, Stacey purchased the most-needed supplies not covered by other agencies. These included extralong extension cords for generators, personal hygiene products, gift cards for gasoline needed to run generators and make the long drive back and forth to the nearest hotels 30 miles away, flashlights, blankets, diapers and other baby supplies, gloves, underwear, socks, pajamas, space heaters, hair products, laundry detergent and quarters for the laundromat and more. Stacey had thought of practically everything and became the boots on the ground when she delivered it all to the people of Mayfield.

In the meantime, Kevin Baxter, vice president of Trane sales, and Erin Bailey, selling finance director, searched for hotel rooms for Stacey’s family members, and Andrew Weaver, regional district general manager, and his team worked to find a generator for Stacey’s aunt returning home after surgery with an oxygen machine that required electricity.

“The outpouring of support from the people at Trane Technologies is something I will never forget,” Stacey said. “I was blown away by their generosity and caring hearts. An entire sales group opted out of their usual Christmas gifts to make donations to the people of Mayfield instead.

“It was amazing to be able to give back to my community. I never expected to be in a position where I could put my leadership skills and organizational skills to work to help people in need. For my team to help me like this is nothing short of amazing. It brings such joyful tears.”

Stacey led the effort to help the people of Mayfield while surpassing her year-end collections goal at work and taking care of her own immediate family members, some of whom had contracted COVID. She also personally supported two families in Mayfield with their specific needs.

“Looking back, I don’t know how I did it,” Stacey added. “I didn’t eat or sleep much. It was more important to me that I take care of as many people as possible. Being part of a company that allows me to take this on – and offers to help in such a big way – is incredible. I’ll never forget how together we uplifted the people of Mayfield after this devastating tornado. I’m so grateful.”