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by the flooding. “The husband of a CBS children’s teacher watched the water rising and, after a few minutes, realized he needed to act as the water reached the top of his front steps. Giving each of his family members a garbage bag, he said, ‘You have ten minutes to put your most precious things into this garbage bag. Now go!’ A neighbor came in his boat to rescue them. They got in with the clothes on their backs, each with a bag in hand.”
Floods may have destroyed homes and businesses in Columbia, South Carolina … but the catastrophe has strengthened connections between CBS communities in the region.
SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS The Columbia community needed time to assess the damage. But families needed help right away. The flooding happened so fast that they were forced to leave everything behind: cars, wardrobes, dishes, furniture, valuables – all of it destroyed by flood waters. Families were forced to star t over. But they weren’t alone. CBS Classes from around the Carolinas stepped in to shower these families in love. “Several days after the flood,” Kitty remembers, “two of my friends who are area directors in Charlotte, Nor th Carolina e-mailed to ask what they could do to help. The teaching director in Orangeburg, South Carolina called to ask the same question. These Classes were ready to come and clean out damaged homes, send money, babysit, or whatever would help the most. Because many of the main roads into and around Columbia remained closed, we decided that notes of encouragement would be welcome. If any desired, they could send gift cards for Lowe’s, Walmar t, etc. But in no way did we emphasize this. In fact, prayer was what was needed most.” “You can imagine my surprise when the Classes in Orangeburg and Lake Wylie, South Carolina and Shelby, Rutherfordton, and Gastonia, Nor th Carolina sent approximately $10,000 wor th of gift cards and many, many beautiful cards of encouragement for the CBS par ticipants who experienced loss. One of our favorite outreaches came from the children in Columbia. They were precious, hear tfelt, and unbelievably insightful.”
Classes sent $10,000 in gift cards to CBS flood victims.
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