Hurricane angels from my ’hood

Let me begin by saying that I am a senior retiree trying to make it on Social Security, which is probably an impossible task to begin with. I have lived in Sea Pines for 35 years and have been a homeowner since 1993. In the last couple of years, making ends meet has been very difficult to say the least and then along came Matthew.

The Matthews that I have known over the years were very nice gentlemen … but not this Matthew. He let out his fury on several states along the East Coast. He was particularly cruel to Hilton Head Island.

When I arrived back home after evacuation, I was devastated by the sight of my home and both front and back yards. Prior to my arrival, a neighbor’s son, James Filippone had kindly cut through several fallen trees to provide a path for me to enter my house. Besides the debris and downed trees in both the front and back yards, two trees were on the roof. I feel very fortunate that I was able to stay in the house.

The next day, I spent walking around my property and the neighborhood just observing what looked like a war zone. Many of my neighbors were out and about also.

Neighbors Kathy Wipper, a kindergarten teacher at Michael C. Riley in Bluffton, and Melanie Hilton, principal at Hilton Head Christian Academy, started the ball rolling to provide me with assistance. They, along with other neighbors started contacting friends who in turn contacted other friends and neighbors to come to my home on Sunday, Oct. 16, to help clean up my yard. These ladies certainly went above and beyond to help a neighbor without the funds to hire workers.

They began arriving at 8 a.m. They came in cars, in trucks and some were on foot.

Other neighbors Grace Hilton; Sherry Hamilton, whose husband, Rich, had to spend the day in their home documenting all of their interior damage; Chris Littell; Linda Fraser; Steve Wipper and Pam Filippone left their own homes and yards to lend a helping hand.

Throughout the day, folks arrived from all over Beaufort County. In addition to these neighbors from my street, I counted 23 others whom I had never met. Steve and Kathy Wipper never stopped. Steve had a chainsaw and Kathy dragged debris and rolled logs. Several brought ice chests, food and water for all, along with a grill.

These neighbors all had serious problems at their own homes, but they spent the whole day helping me out. They exemplify the true meaning of angels. They also recruited so many others angels who helped out. The work continued for seven hours.

Many of the men had chainsaws and began working on the huge fallen trees in front.

My neighbor Sherrie Hamilton called friends Greg and Cat Taulbee who worked tirelessly. Greg handled the chainsaw like a pro with a constant smile on his face and Cat did not seem to tire and never took a break. She is perhaps one of the strongest ladies I have ever met. Others who helped out throughout the day were: Ty Simmons; Ken and Connie Smith, friends of the Wippers; Roman Castro; Michael Paulmeier with his kids, Decker and Maile; Doug Gilman with his kids, Reagan and Josiah; Nick Butts; Carrie Brendler; John Acker; Ben Wode; Curt and Blair Burchfield (from Ocean Aire); and Kim, Tara, and Emma Annunziata.

There were folks who came from First Presbyterian Church following a Sunday message from their pastor. They apparently got in groups and were sent out to various areas throughout the island. Together, all of these folks picked up and dragged debris and rolled logs to the pile at the front of my yard by the road.

Then, here came the Marines from Parris Island. Andrew Hunter and Anthony Piano showed what Marines are made of by working continuously with two chainsaws. They never stopped. They helped cut up the trees in the front yard and then climbed a ladder to the roof to have a go at the two trees that had taken up residence there.

At the end of the day, all of the chainsaw guys were covered with chips from the bark of the trees, looking like a very handsome, but freckled group.

I was completely amazed at the amount of the work done by all of these angels. How does one thank such kindness? I tried to personally introduce myself to every one of them and to give each a grateful hug for coming to my aid.

I continue to see that it is not the worldly goods or how much money you have that counts. It’s how many angels you have in your life. I feel truly blessed.

Around 3 p.m., the sight of one of the angels blowing debris off the driveway brought tears to my eyes.

There is still so very much to do. Some fallen trees and huge stumps with roots remain in my front yard and the back yard has at least eight to 10 fallen trees with debris that continue to stare at me through the windows in the back of the house.

However, I truly feel that it will take time for us to recover and that all will work out if we just remain patient. I don’t know what the future may bring for me, whether I will be able to live out my years in my home, but I will never forget Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, when I was surrounded by angels. God is good!

For many evenings since, my cherished group of neighbors — including those already mentioned as well as Don and Jeannie Sealy, Jim Hilton, Cherie Lynch and her future daughter-in-law, Patti — has gotten together for cookouts in the Wipper driveway. We have chatted, laughed and relaxed, which was the right medicine to relieve all the nervous tension that was created by Hurricane Matthew’s unwelcomed visit. I will treasure forever the times spent with these wonderful people.

Thank you to all of my angels.

You will never be forgotten

P.S. The following Sunday, Oct. 23, was also memorable. I would like to extend ma special thank you to Hilton Head Island High School Seahawks football coach B.J. Payne, who sent four of his players to help clear a passage to my back yard. These young men worked hard and steadily for two hours. Thank you to Keshaun Bostick, Lance Jackson, Tyreke Young and D.J. Williams for displaying the true meaning of community.

This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 4:18 PM with the headline "Hurricane angels from my ’hood."