‘Love Thy Neighbor’ effort to help flood victims has roots in Emanuel AME tragedy
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCIV) — When tragedy struck at Mother Emanuel, a Lowcountry mom and her kids were inspired to spread kindness. Now Melanie Schimming and her family are back at it, sending not just love but critical essentials — food, clothes, and toiletries — to flood victims in hard-hit Columbia.
The grassroots effort grew so quickly one trailer wasn’t enough to hold everything.
“We are collecting supplies, filling up this rig and sending out love, kindness, and supplies to our friends and neighbors in Columbia,” said Melanie Schimming about 12 hours after the idea was born.
According to Schimming, the plan started around 11 p.m. Monday when her friend Rebecca Halpin offered to carry supplies to Columbia since she was heading up Interstate 26 anyway. Tuesday morning, Halpin asked if it was possible to collect enough supplies to fill a small trailer.
Then the donations started coming in from businesses like Target and Palmetto Moon and CostCo and Residence Inn, as well as from surrounding neighborhoods.
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“I’m blown away, there are no words to put to this,” Schimming said.
The community had no problem filling the first trailer — or the second.
“It was overwhelming, overwhelming,” Halpin said.
It was also overwhelming for Target associate Sarah Roberts whose family lives in Columbia. She said her cousin lost their home and cars.
“This touches me. I’m just so thankful that the Lowcountry loves everyone. We are just so thankful for everybody’s help out here,” she said.
The giving spirit isn’t new to Schimming or her family. Her daughter Madeleine drew the picture of nine angels above Emanuel AME Church days after the shooting. The picture gained international attention and admiration.
It fueled a desire to help people who were hurting in young Madeleine and in the Schimming family.
“We always have more work to do. There’s the big painting project for the nursing homes. We just did a huge book drive for Lowcountry Orphan Relief. And we’re currently partnering with East Cooper Meals on Wheels to put cards with all the meals they deliver,” Schimming said.
Yes, the Schimmings started a Facebook group and a nonprofit called Ki9dness Captured, that has provided paintings for nursing homes and Thanksgiving cards for people receiving Meals on Wheels dinner.
And Schimming says there are still plenty more things in the works for Christmas, as well as further flood relief efforts in the Lowcountry and the Midlands.
To join with Ki9dness Captured, click here: https://www.facebook.com/Ki9dness-Captured-415221165269356/timeline/
