Last week's winter storm is still leaving its icy mark on Robertson and Sumner counties. A thaw is felt, though, every time a good story is shared through the messy murk of power outages, slippery streets, and frigid temperatures.

Portland has chosen to reveal the power of community through its response to Winter Storm Fern.

According to Kristen Hope, President & CEO of the Portland Chamber of Commerce, local organizations, businesses, churches, and individuals quickly stepped up to care for neighbors and frontline workers during one of the coldest weeks of the season.

“The way our community has come together has been incredible,” Kristen shared. “So many people found ways to help — big and small — and it truly shows the heart of Portland.”

As temperatures dropped, both the Portland Police Department and Generation Church opened their doors as warming shelters, providing a safe and warm place for residents without power or adequate heat. In addition, Food Lion donated drinks, snacks, and other supplies to support the warming shelter hosted by the Portland Police Department.

Support for essential workers was widespread and heartfelt. On January 28, Conyer Roofing and Exteriors covered the cost of all meals for frontline workers at Johnson’s Crossroads, ensuring those working long hours had one less thing to worry about.

That spirit of generosity continued throughout the week. Triple A Enterprises partnered with Denali’s Coffee to provide free coffee to linemen, helping keep them warm and energized as they worked to restore power across the area.

Wally Gilliam Realty & Auction hosted a free lunch at Top of the Ridge for linemen, first responders, City of Portland Public Works employees, Sumner County Highway Department workers, and TDOT workers. Looking ahead, Jetton Property Group and Blackburn Construction also stepped in, sponsoring a meal at 5 Chefs for linemen and the City of Portland Streets and Public Water Departments.

Even when access itself became a challenge, neighbors found a way. Hands of Hope Food Pantry was temporarily unable to access its building due to dangerous ice buildup. While managing his own demanding storm response workload, Martin Lawncare located salt and scraped the pantry’s parking lot and sidewalks so staff could safely enter the building. The act was shared publicly on social media by Sherri Ferguson, who praised the extra effort made to support a nonprofit serving families facing food insecurity.

Community compassion extended far beyond organized efforts. The Pink Truck received donations and provided hot meals to frontline workers and residents without power or food. Meanwhile, several local individuals quietly stepped up, offering free rides to warming centers and safe locations for those in need. Among them were Kory and Kasen Cline, Jeff Wilkerson, Hunter Wilkerson, and Tyler Harvey.

One local firefighter, Tyler Trammel, even used his off-duty time to transport residents who needed help getting to warmth and safety.

“There are many people who helped behind the scenes that we may never fully know,” Kristen said. “But every single act of kindness mattered.”

As Portland continues to recover from Winter Storm Fern, the stories emerging from this week serve as a powerful reminder: when challenges arise, this community shows up — for its workers, its neighbors, and one another.

In Portland, the storm may have brought ice, but it also revealed something far stronger — a town rooted in care, connection, and compassion. (Maybe that's why their strawberries are so famously sweet--their soil is rich in what matters most.)