Trending
We watched in horror the devastation wrought on Florida, in particular, by Hurricane Ian.
We prayed and continue to pray for the people and communities who must now rebuild their lives in Florida, Puerto Rico, the Carolinas and Cuba.
And we find comfort in the willingness of people across our nation -- including right here in Lycoming County -- to help those who have lost so much.
Hurricane Ian was a massive, deadly Category 4 Atlantic hurricane that caused widespread damage across western Cuba and the southeast United States, especially the states of Florida and South Carolina. It packed winds exceeding 120 miles per hour.
Virginia Borek with the American Red Cross, and others with the Red Cross and PPL, soon traveled down to Florida to help.
Borek told the Sun-Gazette in Tuesday's edition about her experiences in Fort Myers, Florida, and surrounding communities, serving hot meals to those grappling with the scale of their losses.
She talked about the long days, and challenging conditions on ravaged roads that she and other volunteers are overcoming.
"Our immediate focus is to get people through the initial shock of it," Borek said. "They're just grateful to be given a break and a hot meal."
We also are grateful, and in awe of the hard work and sense of service Borek and her fellow volunteers in Florida demonstrate. They truly are representing our region and its values well.
We sympathize with the excruciating choice people faced -- to take it upon themselves to get out of the storm's way or stay at their homes because it is all they have.
But we hope lessons can be learned for the next storm. We hope people learn to heed warnings by evacuating.
And we hope we can all learn to appreciate the kindness and compassion of people like Virginia Borek, and strive to find ways we all can contribute when so many are in times of such unparalleled need.