Helping those around us

Published 2:56 pm Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Many of us have seen the damage inflicted on Appomattox by last month’s tornado. Whether you have passed through the county in areas like Evergreen — where most of the damage was done — or seen pictures on Facebook or in the media, you feel some type of sadness for those who have lost their homes and belongings.

Many people in our three-county coverage area have taken the time to help clean up the area, send monetary donations or take food, water and supplies to people who were affected.

There have been so many people trying to help the cause that volunteers were turned away since there were enough people aiding the community. What a wonderful problem to have, don’t you think?

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The storm was devastating, but the kindness shown by volunteers is admirable in this day and age.

Although the volunteering in Appomattox has been ample, there are many people in Buckingham, Cumberland and Prince Edward counties who need help every day, not just in times of disaster. We should show the same kindness and willingness to help these people as we have done for those in Appomattox.

We have many people in our community who donate their time to volunteering for FACES (Farmville Area Community Emergency Services), Centra Southside Community Hospital and Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity — only three of hundreds of programs that look to aid our community and make it a better place.

FACES is a food pantry that serves Prince Edward County and parts of Cumberland, Buckingham, Nottoway, Lunenburg and Charlotte counties. The organization is always looking for volunteers to help package and distribute food to those who qualify to receive the food.

Centra has many opportunities for volunteers, including working at information desks, patient transport services, emergency department services, etc. All are positions that would aid the hospital in helping patients have a faster and better experience.

“Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes,” according to the organization’s website. Habitat is always hoping to accept new volunteers to help with construction projects, serve on a committee or to donate their time in the ReStore, where they can serve as customer service representatives.

However you volunteer and who you volunteer for, know that your efforts are appreciated and that you’ll be helping someone in this area who may have been waiting on your kindness for years.

HANNAH DAVIS is sports editor of The Farmville Herald. She is also editor of The Charlotte Gazette and The Kenbridge-Victoria Dispatch. Her email address is hannah.davis@farmvilleherald.com.