On September 16th, 2004, Hurricane Ivan landed as a category 3 storm in Pensacola. My family lived in Pensacola at the time and were thankfully able to seek refuge at my mother’s house in Montgomery. What struck me most were:
a) The unfathomable degree of devastation hurricanes wreak. TV does no justice. You have to see it firsthand to understand its significance.
b) How great-hearted, not just good-hearted, vast swaths of humanity can be in the immediate aftermath of tragic storms.
I’ll never forget the vanloads of out-of-state volunteers piling into Escambia County to assist with the cleanup. The vast majority were unpaid, traveled at their own expense and peril, just to say, “We’re in this with you.”
Like the purple and yellow crowd of LSU Cajuns that cooked up a monstrous-sized kettle of homecooked Jambayala. True to form and entirely true, I chuckled watching them pass out Dixie Beer rather than bottled water because, as they reasoned, “FEMA can handle the pure water; we’re covering the brown.”
I’m willing to bet you a million dollars that post-Hurricane Helene, many of those same Louisianans, or maybe their kids are grandkids, have already disembarked right now on the east coast, with kettle, ingredients, and brown water in tow. I can guarantee many of them took vacation days or unpaid leave just to help out.
So please don’t talk to me about only seeing the worst in people. Not today. Seriously, don’t go there. Can’t you see how, on the East Coast, we’re witnessing the very best in our fellow citizens on full display?
Helping the Rodriguez Family: After Hurricane Helene, the Rodriguez family in North Carolina faced severe flooding. The volunteer group “Rebuild Together” organized a weekend effort with over 30 volunteers who helped gut their damaged home and provided emotional support. They later raised $5,000 to help the family buy new furniture and appliances.
Feeding the Elderly in Mobile, Alabama: In Mobile, the “Meals on Wheels” initiative expanded services after the hurricane. Volunteer Sarah delivered meals to isolated elderly residents, including Mrs. Jenkins, a widow. She not only provided meals but also spent time chatting and helping with small tasks, easing Mrs. Jenkins’s loneliness.
Mental Health Support at the Community Center: In Galveston, Texas, a community center offered free mental health support after the hurricane. Counselor Tom volunteered to provide one-on-one sessions and group discussions. He helped participants like Emily, a mother struggling with anxiety, find coping strategies and connect with resources for rebuilding.
If you get nothing else from this blog I’d ask you to get this: You can fake being concerned or caring for others, but you absolutely cannot fake showing up. The fact that you arrive in person, show up, says it all. Expertise is not required. Feet, hands and hearts are.
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An elderly man in his 80’s once recounted a poignant moment from childhood that had to do with his father’s job with the local power company. I cannot for the life of me recall who the man was or how our conversation came about, but I never lost sight of the mental picture he painted way back when.
After inquiring of his father why he worked such long hours, why he went out in the middle of the night after bad storms, why meals had to be missed when people’s power went out, etc., the father felt it best to show his son rather than just tell him.
The two of them loaded up in a truck and drove out in the country, eventually parking on the brow of a hill overlooking the city. They conversed for about 20-30 minutes, nothing more than small talk as the sun began to set. The dad then transitioned the conversation to answer his son:
“You are correct. I do work long hours. My job does require me to go out at night after bad storms. I have to miss family meals from time to time. But, you see that house over there and how the light in the dining room just turned on? Well, the mom and dad have just completed a long day of work. They’re just now getting settled in with their children. They need light so they can sit around the dinner table to share a family meal.”
“Or what about that porch light over there?” He motioned, having to distinguish the one porch light from all the others simultaneously turning on; “that couple has recently faced a lot of adversity; they find solace by sitting and rocking while enjoying the cool night air. All those lights for all those families require electricity, without which they could not enjoy time with each other.”
“So, to answer your question,” the dad continued, as the son couldn’t help but notice the surrounding hillside and valley below brilliantly beamed with light, “It’s to see all those lights turn on; that’s why I do it.”
A special thanks to all who showed up after Helene, and for doing what you do.
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Jesus said, for those who have ears to hear, let them hear. – Jesus
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