While the nature of a pandemic tends to separate people rather than bring them together, some Chattanooga area residents are using the coronavirus outbreak as an opportunity to reach out to their more vulnerable neighbors and close the gap that widens between people in times of insecurity.
Residents of the St. Elmo community are known for their willingness to step up and help one another when necessary, such as when neighbors helped two elderly sisters with repairs to their home when it was struck by lightning last year.
As the pandemic first began to affect the daily lives of Americans late last month, Rebecca Westbrook’s thoughts turned to the needs of the homeless population camping in St. Elmo and the Southside. She stopped by the camp at the corner of Cummings Highway and South Broad Street, and after getting an assessment of needs there, she returned with necessities including sanitizing wipes, oranges and gallons of water. Westbrook also stopped by the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, which was too overwhelmed to return calls, she said.
Through her neighborhood’s email list, Westbrook and other St. Elmo residents offered to pick up supplies for neighbors who are more at risk or unable to get out themselves.
Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Brother and sister Bo, left, and Hope Newberry speak during a press conference announcing the launch of Lookout For America March 17.Among those who volunteered their services was Becky Sparks, a St. Elmo resident for the past 24 years.