"Heroes are ordinary people that do extraordinary things"
Hurricane Dorian threatened South Florida for nearly 2 weeks and South Floridians braced themselves for what was reported to be one of the biggest storms in history. As the storm moved westward Bahamas received the brunt of Dorian’s wrath while South Florida was spared. Bahamians were left homeless, shattered and in desperate need of assistance.
The Heroes Among Us
When Oakland Parkers became aware of Dorian’s wrath there was not a minute’s hesitation. The feeling was unanimous: let’s help the Bahamas! Annie Knott, one of Living in Oakland Park’s team members, contacted me immediately about how we could help. Soon after Annie and I spoke, Rick Melillo from Kiwanis and Barbara Ann from Salon 51 were on social media organizing collection points.
When asked what inspired her to help, Barbara Ann said it was the golden rule. “Do unto others as you would want done to you. I was broken hearted about the loss of homes, businesses and lives… if there is anything I could to even make a small percentage of help [get there] I wanted to do it“.
Barbara Ann connected with Channel 10 and her Salon 51 off of Prospect Road became a principal collection point. Annie joined forces with Barbara Ann and trucked over supplies so they could be taken to the victims of Dorian. To help keep the community informed of the on-going effort, Living in Oakland Park published the information for Oakland Parkers that wanted to help and kept an updated list of collection points online.
Others Join In
No less than 24 hours after this initial push, other Oakland Park business joined in the effort. The Oakland Park Elks Lodge, Allied Kitchen and Bath, FNBCC Bank, PeytonBolin and Giannell Title, The Weil Law Group, Crossfit Oakland Park and all three Oakland Park Fire Stations began accepting donations.
“We are doing this for the month and beyond if necessary” remarked Oakland Park City Commissioner Jane Bolin and Partner at PeytonBolin Real Estate Attorneys and Giannell Title.
Champions World Boxing and Fitness and Little Buddha’s Yoga connected with groups taking supplies to the Bahamas and started collections at their businesses. Lips Restaurant offered a 10% discount for anyone bringing in at least 3 canned goods.
Donations Come Pouring In
As of Sunday September 8, just a few days after Dorian crushed the Bahamas Oakland Parkers, according to Barbara Ann from Salon 51, the combined effort had already sent 7 truck loads and one car load to the main collection points.
A Community of Heroes
Oakland Park is a small, quiet community in the heart of a bustling greater metropolitan area. While it may seem like a sleepy little city to most, there is no doubt our community is made up of ordinary people that do extraordinary things every single day, truly a community of heroes.
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