ROCKINGHAM – Imagine huddling tightly with loved ones as the eye of a hurricane ravages the building surrounding you. Then imagine emerging from this shelter to discover feet of standing water in places there had never been water before. Seeing powerlines strewn across streets and sidewalks like a maze of deadly vines. Or even discovering that the very roof overhead had been wiped clean of shingles.
For millions of Hurricane Irma victims, such unfathomable tragedies became reality in September when the storm leveled parts of Florida.
As previously reported on the Richmond Observer’s Live At 5, dozens of Richmond County citizens immediately sprang into action to help. Several organizations hosted food drives, collected non-perishables, and raised funds all in the name of compassion and support.
But as so many items were collected within the County, these generous donors were faced with a challenge of their own – how to get these much-needed supplies from Richmond County to Florida?
Enter Neel Peacock.
After the wrath of Hurricane Irma struck, Peacock, who is the Director of the Area of Richmond Transit, received an email from the Florida Public Transit Authority asking for help.
“They wanted gift cards and easy things that could be sent via mail,” described Peacock. “But I didn’t think a gift card would be enough.”
With so much destruction to local infrastructure, Peacock knew that gift cards, although easy to ship, would not be of much use to many people. Not only would recipients need to find vehicles and fuel to transport themselves to stores corresponding to their gift card, but they would then need to hope that the store was still standing when they got there.
Peacock knew that there was a better way in which Richmond County’s citizens and the Richmond County Transit Authority could lend a hand.
So, he networked with Cascades and various church groups across the county to collect items of all kinds for needy Floridians. He also visited the Live At 5 studio to promote the collection drive.
Everything from napkins, paper towels, and toilet paper, to detergent and mops, to diapers and baby formula were stock piled and loaded into a 24-foot car trailer.
With the donations in tow, Peacock and his father embarked on a whirlwind 36-hour trip to Citrus Connection in Lakeland, Florida.
“They were completely blown away when we showed up with the trailer,” Peacock remarked of the Citrus County representatives who greeted him upon his arrival. “They were not expecting that at all.”
In total, Peacock delivered not only enough supplies to help individuals in the Citrus Connection area, but also two additional areas as well. Once the Lakeland area employees of the Polk County Transit Authority were taken care of, Peacock’s load of supplies was sent on to help PTA’s in the Jacksonville area, and eventually on to relieve others in the Space Coast area, which is near Daytona.
For Peacock, this opportunity meant more than just the physical act of dropping off supplies to those in need.
“It was a privilege to show neighbors, even though we’re a few states away, that there are people who do care about them, their safety, and their well-being,” he concluded.
