Newberry Residents Come Together After Hurricane Helene
NEWBERRY, S.C. — In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the spirit of community shines bright as local organizations, businesses, and caring residents step forward to lend a hand to those in need. Among the compassionate souls helping out is a remarkable 13-year-old girl, Hannah Chapman. She discovered a heartwarming way to support her neighbors who were impacted by the storm.
A Young Philanthropist’s Initiative
After witnessing the struggles of her neighbors post-hurricane, Hannah reflected on their challenges. “This last week with the hurricane, I noticed there were so many houses that had nothing,” she shared. “Most people did not have power, and I knew everything in their fridge would go bad.” This realization sparked an idea in her mind. Hannah opened her first lemonade stand at just nine years old to raise funds for a family friend whose daughter was battling brain cancer. Now, she has revived that entrepreneurial spirit to aid the Newberry community.
With the support of her parents, Hannah started an initiative called “Lemonade 4 Love.” Her latest mission is to raise money for those affected by the hurricane. “I was just thinking about those on a set income,” Hannah explained. “I mean, it may take them a while to pick themselves up from this, so I wanted to do something and raise money for them.”
A Proud Moment for Family
Hannah’s mother, Kimberley Smith, couldn’t be prouder of her daughter’s efforts. “I’m just so proud of her,” Kimberley said, her eyes glistening with emotion. “I can’t express enough how proud I truly am that she wants to help other people. Every person we have ever donated money to is so grateful, and they get teary-eyed. Hannah gets teary-eyed, too, but she knows she’s made such an impact.”
Through her actions, Hannah hopes to inspire her peers to engage more actively in their communities. “I would love to just see other kids my age getting involved and actually getting out from behind a screen,” she remarked. “They can realize what is happening in the world right now and how they can make a difference.”
Community Support from Local Businesses
Hannah isn’t alone in her efforts. Many local businesses, such as Roma’s House of Pizza, have joined the mission to support community members in need. The popular restaurant is offering free plates of spaghetti to those who have been affected by the storm. Regular customers Tom and Becky Abraham were enjoying lunch at the restaurant when they marveled at the generous gesture. “Tony [the owner] is such a nice, warm guy. You can come in and joke with him,” Tom noted, while Becky added, “It was just the kindness out of his heart. He just wanted to help, and that was his way to share.”
In total, Roma’s House of Pizza managed to serve over 600 meals during and after the hurricane, reaching out to community members in need. As Tom and Becky finished their lunch, they expressed their eagerness to help out as well. “When we leave here, we’re going shopping and getting things on our list,” Becky shared. “They will be taken to North Carolina, where they were hit hard by Helene.”
Hope and Kindness Prevail
The residents of Newberry are truly embodying the essence of community spirit during these challenging times. With individuals like Hannah Chapman leading the charge and local businesses offering their resources, there is a growing sense of hope and kindness. As they unite to assist those in need, it’s clear that the heart of Newberry is resilient and ready to support its own.
