• FLOODS of '08 VIDEO
We asked and you answered. CBS 2 asked for your stories of flood victims in need, or heroes going above and beyond to help a neighbor. It’s called "30 days of Thanksgiving"
We begin our special series of reports, beginning with the story, behind the story.
The floods of 2008 focused the eyes of the world on Cedar Rapids. People from all over saw the devastation, when they did, many of them came to help.
Perfect strangers helped unknown neighbors.
"We ripped out drywall and moldy insulation and carpeting. And the small amount we did seemed...didn't seem like a lot...but if everyone did a little, it would make such a difference,” Royal Neighbors of America worker, Cynthia Tidwell said.
Cynthia Tidwell and her colleagues took their generosity even further. They left the front lines of the clean-up and went back to work at Royal Neighbors of America; a quad-cities insurance company taking neighborly love to a new level.
"Obviously Cedar Rapids is in our backyard...members of the Midwest. We felt it was important to put resources where they were needed most,” Tidwell said.
Royal Neighbors of America are now sending the resources to the tune of $74,000, surprising unsuspecting flood victims, one at a time.
"It’s one thing when the water is flowing, when the water recedes is when those families and businesses really understand the full impact of what happened. And we felt it was very important to be there in all phases."
CBS 2 is proud to be the connector between flood victims and the generosity of Royal Neighbors. You sent us your stories of heroism and need...and we happily passed them along to Cynthia and her team.
For Cynthia, it's simple: it comes down to neighbor, helping neighbor. "If that ever happened to me, I certainly would want someone there to help,” she said.
What is 30 Days of Thanksgiving?
