Help Ernie Reese Rebuild After Hurricane Helene

Hello, everyone! My name is Ben Arnold, and I’m one of the co-owners of Cove Ridge Marina in Butler, TN. My business partner and co-owner of Cove Ridge Marina, Vanessa Raper and I are reaching out today to ask for your support in helping someone who has meant a great deal to our marina family and our community—Ernie Reese.

Ernie retired from Cove Ridge Marina back in March of 2022 after years of dedicated service. For anyone who’s had the pleasure of meeting him, you know that he wasn’t just an employee; Ernie’s warm smile and tireless work ethic made him a fixture at the marina, always going above and beyond to help guests.

Beyond his work with us, Ernie is also a proud Vietnam Veteran who bravely served his country. He’s a man who’s always put others first—whether it was serving his nation or helping out around the marina—and now he needs our help.

Recently, Hurricane Helene struck our area and devastated many homes, including Ernie’s. The flooding completely destroyed his house, leaving him without a place to call home. On top of that, he lost his vehicle in the storm, making it nearly impossible for him to manage his day-to-day life.

For someone who’s given so much of himself to our marina, our community, and our country, this loss is overwhelming. That’s why we’re launching this GoFundMe campaign—to raise funds to help Ernie rebuild his home and replace his vehicle. He’s spent years taking care of others, and now it’s our turn to take care of him.

The funds we raise will go directly toward construction costs, materials, and/or securing a reliable vehicle so that Ernie can get back on his feet. We know it’s a big ask, but we also know the power of our community. If you’ve ever been touched by Ernie’s kindness or his service, we ask that you consider donating and sharing this campaign.

Let’s come together to show Ernie that the community and country he served for so many years is here for him when he needs it most. Thank you for your generosity and for being a part of this effort to rebuild and restore hope.