The pictures were dreadful: Homes destroyed, entire communities submerged underwater, seven killed, and dozens more missing. Hurricane Dorian slammed into the Bahamas last week as if it were a bulldozer, hovering over the islands at a near standstill while it pummeled everything in its path.
In the wake of such destruction, who wouldn’t feel helpless? Not 6-year-old Jermaine Bell. As the storm made its way to the Carolinas, the South Carolina resident decided he would do what little he could to stand up to Dorian and help others stand up, as well.
Bell, who will turn 7 years old on Sunday, took the money he had saved to visit Disney World and bought hot dogs, buns, chips, and water bottles for people fleeing the coast of South Carolina. Standing along the highway in his town of Allendale, Bell held signs inviting residents to grab food and water before they headed out of town.
“The people that are traveling to go to places, I wanted them to have some food to eat, so they can enjoy the ride to the place that they’re going to stay at,” Bell told WBTW 13. “I wanted to be generous and live to give.”
Alongside his grandmother, Bell served almost 100 evacuees. His kindness didn’t stop Dorian or reverse its damage, but I’m sure it encouraged the weary. Perhaps it also gave them hope that some things are more significant than the storm, that all will be right in the end even if the house isn’t. And in the face of unchangeable circumstances, sometimes hope is all you can give. Sometimes it’s the only thing worth receiving, too.
Bell gave a little bit of hope to his community that day. Perhaps someday they’ll return the kindness with a trip to Disney World.
