When a powerful winter storm hit the Richmond area this year, most people stayed home and waited for the ice to melt. SOAR365’s programs and offices stayed closed for the better part of a week, but at the Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR), the work couldn’t wait.
It was up to SOAR365’s Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance team to clear the way.
A Mission That Couldn’t Pause
The base is home to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), which helps supply the U.S. military around the world. Each day the base is forced to close, critical supplies are delayed.
“It’s our responsibility to make sure employees can get from the parking lots into their buildings safely,” said Deb Foster, Director of Operations for the AbilityOne Business Line at SOAR365. “Safety is our number one concern. But we also know they need to keep business moving.”
While DLA clears the roads and large parking lots, SOAR365’s team handles everything else — steps, ramps, sidewalks, entryways, and walkways. If those areas aren’t safe, the base can’t open.
Preparing for the Unknown
Before the storm even began, Project Manager Trey Steeley and his team were already watching the weather.
“As amateur meteorologists, we try to predict what’s coming, stage our equipment and prepare the crew,” Trey said.
If snow is expected, they load trucks with snow blowers and push brooms. If ice is the bigger threat, they prepare ice picks, salt, sand, and chemical treatments. They also pre-treat surfaces before the first flakes fall.
But this storm was different.
“It went from a little snow to sleet to heavy icing,” Trey said. “I’ve never seen anything like it in 35 years.”
In some areas, ice built up several inches thick. Even after the snow stopped, it would thaw during the day and refreeze overnight. That cycle lasted nearly a week.
Long Days — and Nights
The team arrived Saturday night before the worst of the storm hit. They stayed through Monday evening — and continued working all week, even while the base remained closed Monday through Wednesday.
“We are here until it is clear, clean, and ready to open,” Deb said.
For safety reasons, many employees stayed on base rather than driving back and forth in dangerous conditions. The base provided cots, microwaves, and refrigerators so the team could create temporary living spaces. Food was brought in, and sometimes they even cooked meals together.
Nearly 20 team members rotated in and out over the weekend and week. It was important for shifts to be monitored and sometimes shortened to relieve the stress of such of challenging task.
“It was definitely tough at times,” Deb said. “Our team was away from home, working through tiredness and cold. But we have a contractual obligation, and we knew we’d get the job done.”
Hard Work That Matters
Clearing snow and ice may not sound glamorous. But when the work supports the U.S. military and keeps hundreds of people safe, it carries deep meaning.
Through the AbilityOne Program and SOAR365’s partnership with SourceAmerica, employees with disabilities are not just part of the workforce — they’re essential to it.
This storm was a powerful reminder that when given the opportunity, they rise to meet even the toughest challenges.
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To learn more about SOAR365’s Business Solutions team, click here.
To learn more about SourceAmerica and the AbilityOne program, click here.