Regarding 'what if this happens' situations, imagine every street having a few households connected by text. People know who lives alone. Someone has extra water. Someone has tools. Someone knows first aid. Someone has a generator. Someone has the big pot of soup. And everyone dedicates themselves to one goal: to check on each other.
"That is preparedness. Not fear. Not panic," states Heather Kamasa, founder and CEO of the charitable organization A Hand Above and wife of a pilot. "Preparedness is love you can carry. It's leading with love, plus people helping people."
In times of crisis, Heather says A Hand from Above grassroots volunteers extend a variety of assistance to those in need. "Our mission is to provide acute, immediate emergency relief and support to communities affected by disasters. We bring hope to those facing adversity."
The group is a 501(c)(3) aviation-based, disaster relief nonprofit. "Whether it's rescue, relief or rebuild efforts and operations, we have connections people need to make it happen. Our organization was founded on the belief everyone deserves a helping hand during their darkest hours. We're committed to transparency, accountability and efficiency in all our relief efforts, and to bringing healing to those in need," explains Heather.
For example, they've recently assisted with those recovering from North Carolina hurricanes, Calfornia fires and West Virginia flooding. Locally, they hosted the Hope Runs Wild community outreach fundraiser in Wrightstown during June at Parkwood Therapeutic Riding Center.
Knock. Call. Text. Strong communities aren't created during disasters. They're revealed by them, reminds Heather, and built long before them, at bus stops, backyard fences and driveways, "when we learn each other's names and decide no one on our own streets will face a hard day alone."
She says they have a challenge to Newtown and all Bucks County residents: "Prepare because you love somebody. Put away extra water. Make a family plan. Prepare for your pets. Check on an older neighbor. Exchange phone numbers with neighbors. Build supplies a little at a time. We cannot control the next storm, flood, power outage or emergency. But we can control how ready we are, and what kind of neighbor we'll be when it happens."