COLUMBIA, S.C. – Community Spirit Shines Bright After Tropical Storm Helene
In the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, residents of Columbia, South Carolina, have seen their fair share of challenges, but there’s a bright side emerging from the chaos. Local businesses and community members have come together to help everyone get back on their feet, showcasing the resilience and kindness that make this area so special.
Local Businesses Step Up
One shining example of this community spirit comes from Boca Grande Burritos in Forest Acres. Owner David Grillo knows all too well the hardships many have faced after the storm. “Everybody’s working a lot of hours, and every business wasn’t lucky enough to be open,” he explained. With power restored relatively quickly at his restaurant, Grillo wanted to contribute, offering meals to those working tirelessly to restore the community.
“We view ourselves and our business as a part of the community. When something happens to the community, it happens to us as well,” Grillo said. His team jumped into action, whipping up over thirty meals to feed not just the local police, who were working overtime, but also the individuals in need during this tough time. “We’re seeing quite a few people from North Carolina, Augusta, Orangeburg, and Newberry, just looking for food or power right now,” he noted, illustrating just how far folks are coming for support.
A Safe Haven and Showers at the Rockbridge Club
Amidst the recovery efforts, the Rockbridge Club has also opened its doors to help. Lynn Massey, a manager at the club, shared their initiative to provide a comfortable space for residents. “We thought it would be good for us to open up our clubhouse and make it accessible for the public to come and charge devices and use it to work if they needed to,” she said. The club also offered access to their pool showers, allowing folks a chance to freshen up.
The generosity didn’t stop at offering a place to recharge—they went above and beyond to feed linemen and community members all throughout Forest Acres. “We bought a bunch of burgers and hot dogs, made to-go boxes, and drove around giving back to the community,” Massey said, adding that helping out is vital for the sense of camaraderie they foster in Forest Acres. “Not every community is like that, but we feel like it’s very important here,” she emphasized.
Moving Forward Together
It’s heartening to see businesses like Boca Grande Burritos and Rockbridge Club taking proactive steps to support their neighbors during such a difficult time. With power outages impacting numerous households, the more resources available, the better. As Grillo noted, “We wanted to be involved with the healing process and the moving forward process of getting past what the hurricane did.”
The Rockbridge Club remains open as a safe haven for anyone who may still be grappling with the aftermath of Helene, inviting anyone without power or running water to come by and warm up. Just a friendly reminder: if you’re planning to use their showers, don’t forget to bring your own towel!
The Path Ahead
As Columbia and its surrounding areas continue to recover from Tropical Storm Helene, the community remains steadfast, proving that during tough times, kindness and support rise to the occasion. We may face challenges, but together, we can navigate through the storm and emerge stronger on the other side.
