Tryon, NC -- People in Polk County are calling the sheriff's office for an emergency that has nothing to do with crime.
The culprit in this case is the extremely cold weather.
"There are a lot of needy folks in this county that don't have central heating and rely on kerosene or wood for heat," says Sheriff Donald Hill.
During the winter storm in December, Hill had his deputies deliver coats, blankets, kerosene and firewood to the less fortunate and the elderly. With more frigid weather bearing down this weekend, calls for assistance began coming several days ago.
"A lot of people have it rough right now," says Hill. "They have to choose between paying for medicine and food or paying to heat their home."
So he spent most of Friday answering those calls for help. He and two employees took kerosene to 78-year old widow Lorena Cunningham.
"It's good to know God still has good people in this world that will help you out," says Cunningham.
77-year old Edward Littlejohn called the sheriff's office for firewood two weeks ago.
"I was getting cold," says Littlejohn. "This weather is rough on an old man."
Sheriff Hill helped him out then and delivered another load of wood on Friday. He also took kerosene to Littlejohn's neighbor, T.T. Suber. Suber is divorced, out of work, and, according to the sheriff, perpetually drunk. Because of his addiction, Suber did not even know he was freezing to death in his home when Hill first came to help him.
"The first time we went over there, we had a thermometer and it was 28 degrees in his house," says Hill. "He is a good guy, doesn't cause any trouble. You can't look down on someone just because they have a problem. Some of us are just more fortunate than others."
A deputy filled two of Suber's kerosene heaters with fuel. Sheriff Hill took a third one back to his office to be repaired.
"He has helped me in a special way and God knows I appreciate it," says Suber.
To see Chris Cato's story on how the sheriff has reached out to keep the less fortunate warm, click on the video above.
The sheriff's office has plenty of warm coats and blankets to give away, but they are running low on money to buy kerosene and firewood. If you can make a donation - or if you need help - call the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 828-894-3001.
For more on the forecast, road conditions, photos and to chat live with Amy Wood, click here.
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