Once upon a time – no, many times - someone in the city of Bridgeport was inspired to reach out a helping hand and shared that inspiration with others who rose to the occasion and made it happen.

 

We are fortunate here in our community. We can tell this story over and over.

 

Just this past week, it happened.

 

It was fairly late Monday evening when Anna Dorsey Matheny messaged me and said she had a burden on her heart to launch a rescue mission. That mission, explained, was to mobilize some volunteers to take bottled water and other needed supplies to the town of Gary, WV. She had learned via the news that because of a water pump break the small McDowell County town had been without water for several days. She said she couldn’t get it off her mind what those people were going through in the heat, during a pandemic, not having water to drink, wash with or provide for their pets.

 

She had already gotten the GFWC Junior Women’s Club of Bridgeport on board with her project, but they needed more supplies and a truck to get it all down there.

 

I shared her passion and information through our own news portal, Connect-Bridgeport, encouraging locals to drop off donations at Bridgeport Fire Department – who had graciously agreed to serve as a drop-off point. People could also help by making a financial contribution through PayPal.

 

As is no surprise, our town’s people came together and made it happen – all in a day’s time.

 

“Via donations, we were able to get them 50-plus cases of water, 1200 sanitary wipes for the residents of the nursing home, cleaners and Clorox wipes and a check for $500,” Matheny said.

 

Price Cutter stores of Bridgeport and Adamston each contributed 20 cases of water. Sam’s Club provided a $50 gift card.

 

Resident Barry Balon also reached out to Matheny, offering to drive a truckload of donations to Gary. The delivery took place Wednesday as Matheny and Balon each drove a vehicle full of supplies to the southern WV town. They were met with open arms and thankfulness.

 

“The people of Gary were really happy to have help from all over the state and really appreciated all the donations and outreach,” Matheny said. “…GFWC Bridgeport Juniors are so grateful for the quick actions of a caring community and what we were able to pull together and get to them in just a day.”

 

Water service has been restored to the city of Gary, but it will still be sometime until the water is safe to drink.

 

Despite situations and challenges going on in our city, state, country - and all over the world - heartfelt inspiration and a passionate community helped make this a story of happily ever after.

 

Let’s keep striving for those little victories.

 

Read the story asking for donations HERE.