Can I talk about miracles for a second? The third weekend of February, after a harrowing week of shivering in the dark and cold, we asked neighbors to donate and help other neighbors who were without food or water to make it through the weekend. Honestly, I did not know what to expect, because everyone was trying to get back to normal (whatever that means). Thanks to Sarah Woolsey with The Impact Guild, Christine Wright from Alta Vista, and over 50 volunteers, we were able to help about 175 neighbors! We door knocked, organized food and water, made deliveries, shared resources, made maps and Excel sheets. I’ve never seen such dedication and organizing skills as I witnessed from Impact Guild employees and volunteers.
And just when we thought we were out of supplies and could not help those who still needed, volunteers showed up with hot meals, packaged foods, fresh vegetables and fruit, eggs, milk, bread, and water! Sarah Woolsey writes, “Over the course of three days, help and materials poured in from The Beacon Hill Area Neighborhood Association, Alta Vista Neighborhood Association, The Impact Guild, TIG co-working members and their friends, churches, BH community members, and Trinity University students. We also received water donations from Councilman Treviño and State Representative Diego Bernál, and hot meals from State Senator Jose Menéndez.”
Sarah told me that it was an email from Ann Helmke from CoSA’s Faith-Based Initiative that sparked Neighbors Helping Neighbors: “Research clearly indicates that the most effective and efficient method to impact community need is to act as locally as possible in expanding concentric circles...” But impacting community need doesn’t always take the form of organized efforts or big gestures.
Just as important were smaller gestures: neighbors shared resources (everything from hot soup to help with plumbing) as well as help. I’ll never forget Dale Bracey snow plowing the very dangerous intersection of Woodlawn and Blanco in the middle of the storm! We shared advice, information, and comfort on social media. Neighbors physically checked on neighbors next door and on their street to make sure they were ok.
All of this said, “You are not alone. You have your neighbors.”
Thank you Beacon Hill residents, The Impact Guild, and the Alta Vista NA for your generosity of spirit and your love of your neighbor. It was extraordinary, but not surprising.
— Cynthia Spielman