'Getting a little help from our friends'
, News reporter
07-23-2009
“We are in a really great community of people,” said Wendy Weaver of Richmond. “I want people to know that.”Wendy was just one of many families affected by strong winds that swept through the area early on July 10. The winds were so powerful that an old oak tree was wrenched from where it had stood for 33 years and dropped it across her driveway, yard and car.
“Mr. Franklin’s children and other neighbors helped remove the tree,” Wendy said. “The firefighters were out too, helping people that day.”
People of all ages just came out to help, and this meant so much to Wendy, whose husband was out of town at the time. Firefighters Bo Bloom and Brad Branson stopped to help, as did neighbors Mike and Branden Robinson, and Derek Gardner.
“I had a very important doctor’s appointment that day, and time was running out for me to leave and make it on time,” Wendy continued. “A neighbor further up the street took me while the others worked to clear my driveway and car.”
Wendy said the neighbor was Carey Wood, who took time from her own day and situation to take Wendy to her doctor’s appointment.
“She had a doctor’s appointment she had to get to also,” said Wendy. “It was for her little boy, yet she selflessly took time out of her day without thought of herself to take me.”
The experience cements the value of neighbors and community for Wendy.
“They were all very helpful in their efforts to clean up the tree and debris and what went into Mr. Franklin’s yard also.”
The stump that was left behind, after everything else was cut and hauled away, was quite large - and not an attractive feature in the front yard. In the past week, that was taken care of too. Another Good Samaritan from the area came forward to remove the stump.
“C.E. Goodall met my husband on Hines Street where a friend said we could leave it. The gate was unlocked, but C.E. wanted to be sure, and met him there. We just all came together,” she said smiling.
Photo: Firefighter Brad Branson drags a portion of the tree away while other volunteers continue in cleanup efforts along the street
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