When the impact of the water crisis in WV filtered back to residents here in Southeast Roanoke, Carrie Crawford, originally from Logan, West Virginia, wanted to help. Were it not for today’s Social media, we could not have done what we did. Her post on facebook brought an immediate response from Sherry Lucas and with these two as my facebook friends I offered to help. Within 24 hours, a press release was sent out and brought about the public exposure needed to help, not only Carrie’s friends and family, but hundreds more in need of water, cleaning and eating utensils and supplies.
The Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge offered their facility, near our homes, as the drop off point and that helped lead to the drive and the successful effort that had more friends and neighbors volunteering to help. Dubbed “Relief for West Virginia” and we simply called ourselves “Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Need”
We consider the week long collection a huge success, thanks to the good people of the Roanoke area who opened their hearts and wallets to help. On the opening day, one young man drove all the way from Christianburg, bringing 10 cases of water.
Donations were received from every quadrant of the city and county. We can’t thank everyone individually but we must thank above all the Church, and its fine staff for their help. Oakey’s Funeral Home, Patrick Henry High School, Pilgrim Baptist Church to name a few and Enterprise Truck Rental that enabled Carrie and her husband, Ray, to delivery a full truck load of supplies to Logan, West Virginia.
It proved to be a richly rewarding experience and shows what a few neighbors can do without hindrance of corporate ties, rules and regulation, that lead, not only in helping others in need, but being rewarded with making new friends and getting to know more neighbor, be they in the next block, or next town.
– E. Duane Howard
