Editor's Note: Levittowners Show True Colors During Sandy

By now, you have probably heard the horror stories of the past week - the stories of the ugly side of humanity. The stories of people acting like people do when they are desperate and overcome with fear and panic.

People fighting over gas, looting, price gouging, homes being broken into, etc. The stories that are downright heartbreaking - homes and even towns destroyed, people killed in the storm.

I can tell you that there were also a number of great stories to come out of this tragedy - selfless acts from your neighbors and even strangers that deserve to be recognized. You deserve to hear these stories, not just the bad ones. And some of them even happened right here in Levittown.

There’s the story of a  mom who saved Halloween for many local children. Northside mom Kristine Ekberg organized “Trick-or-Trunking” in the K-Mart parking lot, providing a safe atmosphere for kids to trick-or-treat. One neighbor is nominating her for parent of the year:  "If nothing else, you are the mom who saved Halloween, for these kids. I thank you for that."  

There’s the story of Levittown residents helping a stationed marine connect with his mother on our Facebook page. Eve Garcia sent us the message on Friday. Her husband is stationed in the military and his mother lives in Levittown. Eve said they hadn’t heard from her and were quite worried.  

Within minutes, at least five people responded to the message and offered to help. One resident called Eve to confirm the address. After speaking with Eve, that resident, a stranger to Eve before this, headed over to the woman’s house where they found her without power and heat. Thankfully, she is doing okay.  

“My husband went to sleep knowing his mom is doing well and that means the world to me,” Garcia said.  

Then there’s the one lucky Levittown home which had power last week. The resident sent out this message on Facebook: “Calling all family, friends and Levittown – do you need to charge your cell phone, iPad, etc. Inbox me and I will give you my address.”  

This person was allowing not just neighbors, but anyone in Levittown to come into their home so they could warm up and charge their electronic devices. That is one of the most generous and decent acts of kindness you will ever see.

Like many, I realized that I am truly lucky this past week. The obvious reasons are that I haven’t lost any family or friends in this storm. But I also feel very lucky to be doing this job. I feel lucky that I get to give life to these types of stories. These stories of true selflessness, stories of people who would literally give the shirt on their backs to others. Stories of people who aren’t just out for themselves – people who honestly care about their neighbors and their community.

These stories deserve to be told, and there are countless others that will never see the light of day. Just remember, when it hits the fan again (you can bet that it WILL hit the fan again, in one way or another), you will likely turn to these same people for help.

You should be proud to live in a community where stories like these are told, and I am proud to be your editor.