On Tues., Aug. 29, Robert Black knocked on neighbor Christina Propst’s door, saying that they had opened Lakewood Church as a shelter and he wondered if the neighborhood could work together to get donations together. Due to the proximity of Lakewood to their West U neighborhood, Christina said it seemed like a “no-brainer.”

Immediately, Christina posted information about their plan and what was needed on West U Information Exchange Facebook page as well as on her personal Facebook page. Within 20 minutes, deliveries started rolling in. Neighbors from the 4100 block of Oberlin - including Robert, Lori and Lizzie Black, Christina, Tristan and Aiden Propst, Nicole, Paul, Andrew and Alexa Choi; plus the Weber family, McConaty family amd Kurie family - were all involved in the drive. Friend Chris Pflugfelder (who doesn’t live on the block) showed up with his pick-up truck and helped loaded and shuttled items to Lakewood.

“The outpouring was amazing,” Christina said. West U residents drove up asking what they needed and went home or to the store and came back with much-needed donations. In total, the group of neighbors took over 12-15 packed truck-loads to Lakewood just as it was taking in its first flood refugees.