COLUMBIA, S.C. – Community Comes Together After Tropical Storm Helene
After the recent chaos caused by Tropical Storm Helene, the spirit of community in Columbia, S.C., has truly shone brightly. Various city officials, linemen, and law enforcement have been working tirelessly to help residents get back on their feet. This hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially in Forest Acres, where local businesses have stepped up to support the community.
Bangin’ Burritos to the Rescue!
At Boca Grande Burritos, owner David Grillo shared, “Everybody’s working a lot of hours, and every business wasn’t lucky enough to be open.” Thankfully, Grillo’s place had their power restored quickly, enabling them to prepare meals for the hardworking police and community members affected by the storm. “We wanted to give back to the community the best way we could,” he explained.
Grillo elaborated on their outreach, stating, “We view ourselves and our business as a part of the community. When something happens to the community, it happens to us as well.” In just a few days, they managed to provide over thirty meals for those who were dealing with power outages. “We’re seeing a lot of people come down from North Carolina, Augusta, and other surrounding areas who just don’t have access to food or power at the moment,” he mentioned.
Making a Splash at Rockbridge Club
Another local establishment, the Rockbridge Club, has also opened its doors to help the community. As manager Lynn Massey explained, they wanted to create a safe and helpful space. “We thought it would be good for us to open up our clubhouse and make it accessible for the public to come and charge devices,” she said. They also provided shower facilities at the pool house, encouraging those in need to come and freshen up.
The club’s generosity didn’t stop there! “We bought a bunch of burgers and hot dogs to make to-go boxes,” Massey noted. They took it upon themselves to drive around the area to distribute meals, particularly to linemen and community members working diligently to restore power. “We’re always here to help; not every community is like that. But we feel like that’s very important in the Forest Acres community,” she added.
Community Spirit Shines
Forest Acres has faced its share of challenges, including several power outages during the storm. Yet, witnessing this outpouring of support from local businesses has been heartening. It goes to show that when the community faces tough times, everyone pulls together to help one another out.
If you’re still struggling and happen to be in the Forest Acres area, Rockbridge Club remains open to anyone without power or running water. They kindly ask you to bring your own towel if you wish to use the shower facilities. It’s small gestures like this that rekindle our faith in humanity and remind us of the importance of community in times of need.
As we all work together to heal and recover from the storm’s impact, it’s evident that the heart of Columbia lies in its residents’ willingness to help one another. Everyone is in this together, and by banding together, the community will undoubtedly make a full recovery.
