PCB resident reaches out to Midwest hometown for supply drive help

PANAMA CITY - Melissa Sharp of Panama City Beach turned to her Illinois hometown for help after Hurricane Michael tore through Bay County.

Sharp's hometown delivered, but not just for her.

Sharp contacted people back home in Edwardsville, Illinois, which turned into a effort by her hometown community to assist Panama City and surrounding areas. Volunteers from Illinois made the long drive to deliver supplies Wednesday at St. Andrew Baptist Church, one of the local distribution sites gathering and handing out goods.

“The types of donations range anywhere from sleeping bags to paper towels to cash donations to Wal-Mart gift cards,” said Sharp, who’s lived in Panama City for almost eight years. “My hometown raised me to be that way. My parents raised me to ask for help when we need help.”

The supply drive started off small with drop-off points at the YMCA, churches and high schools in Edwardsville, but grew to include a regional grocery store there. The drive has gathered around $4,000 in goods, Sharp said.

Sharp said she was motivated by survivor’s guilt since her house came out fine after the storm. Sharp said Bay County means a lot to her since she not only works there — it’s where she met her husband and close friends.

“It’s very rewarding but the most important thing I want to come out of this is awareness, because I feel Panama City has dropped a little bit off the media and I don’t think people realize the magnitude of destruction and the splitting up of people’s homes and families,” Sharp said. “It’s a feeling of compassion."

Sharp also said she appreciated her hometown and that she wanted Panama City Beach to rebuild.

 "I know each day will be a step forward and we will do everything we can," she said.

Brittany McLaughlin, a Panama City resident, has coordinated with the church and Sharp to make sure the Bay County community gets help. McLaughlin said a lot of local churches have worked together to distribute supplies.

“It’s overwhelming ... it is so great to see the human spirit at work,” McLaughlin said. “It is incredible to see people reach out and care.”

Christie Mitchell, a St. Andrew Baptist Church staff member who organized supplies Wednesday, said she appreciated people in another state thinking of Bay County during the community’s time of need.

“It’s encouraging because we will run out of something and it will be on the next truck,” Mitchell said. “God is providing for us.”

Residents in need can pick up goods from the church 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 on Sundays.