Fayetteville Woman Finds Help for New York Parents via Facebook
By: Tyler Thomason
Updated: November 1, 2012
"My mom said it looks like the whole town was put in a blender and just shook around," says Valerie Champagne, of Fayetteville, whose parents live in New York. "There's just stuff everywhere out of place."
It's been a week full of worry for Valerie Champagne and her husband, Derek.
"When family or a friend is hurt, your first instinct is how can I help," Derek says.
Valerie's parents live near Long Island and recently returned to their storm-damaged home.
"They had three and a half feet of water in their house, on the first level," Valerie says."The Red Cross was on their street this morning, handing out water and food. You know it's bad, if the Red Cross is there."
Communication has been minimal, but after hearing a just little bit of what her folks were facing, Valerie had to do something.
"I was like 'Mom, I can help you,' she was like, 'How are you going to help me, what are you going to do honey, in Arkansas? OK, tell the grand-kids I said hi.'"
But Valerie did more than greet the grandkids. She took to social media.
Realizing that her parents were in 40-degree temps with no electricity, she posted a Facebook plea -- for firewood.
And that simple status from Fayetteville caught the eye of a few New Yorkers, 20 minutes from Valerie's parents.
"Some of my old friends from grade school were like 'Oh, we can take it to your parents, message us their address.'"
"Just the smallest thing like that made a giant difference," Derek says.
Lifting the couple's spirits, while lowering some of Valerie's worries.
"I thanked them, and my friend Nicole said that she gave my mom a hug for me," Valerie says.
An encouraging online act that has Valerie thinking of doing a little more, even if she is more than a thousand miles away.
"I don't know, I was thinking of calling and ordering them a pizza later, maybe delivered."
More News
-
Man Faces Rape Charges
A Springdale man faces multiple charges, including rape.
Read More» -
Robbery Spree
Another robbery in Northwest Arkansas has police wondering if the crime may be connected to a string of recent robberies in the area.
Read More» -
Winter Weather Lands in NWA
Old Man Winter takes up residence in Northwest Arkansas, causing headaches for drivers in the region. KNWAs Doug Currin and Liz Hogan tell us about...
Read More» -
Pedestrian Killed
Man killed after being struck by a car,
Read More» -
Graduation at Clinton School
This morning the class of 2007 of the Clinton School of Public Service stepped up to the podium to receive their masters in public service...
Read More»
Page 6170 of 6781
©1998 - 2013 Nwahomepage.com
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
All Rights Reserved