Neighbors Loving Neighbors Helping Rebuild Homes, Lives

The Neighbors Loving Neighbors campaign has already adjusted itself a few times in only a few months.

Originally, The Greenbrier Classic chose to make admission to the PGA Tour tournament free, with Neighbors Loving Neighbors asking golf fans to bring cans of food to the tournament to donate to those in need throughout West Virginia.

When the tournament was cancelled due to substantial damage to The Old White TPC golf course because of June flooding in White Sulphur Springs, NLN shifted to also collect food and cash to help the flood's victims.

Now, rebuilding homes in White Sulphur Springs and other flood affected communities is the focus of Neighbors Loving Neighbors.

As the flood received national and international attention, sports stars and celebrities such as Charles Barkley, Phil Mickelson, Larry Fitzgerald, Jimbo Fisher, Bo Jackson, Bubba Watson, Keegan Bradley and Lee Trevino lent support.

According to NLN, Glenn Beck's Mercury One nonprofit organization provided several truckloads of bottled water, materials and enough building supplies to restore more than 60 family homes. Funds from his radio listeners also have helped fund a food pantry in Richwood, providing enough food for 10,000 meals.

FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones donated the company's $50,000 sponsorship of The Greenbrier Classic to Neighbors Loving Neighbors. BrickStreet Insurance donated one-third of its sponsorship, with the other twothirds going to other area charities. Grand Home Furnishing gave a por tion of its sponsorship money to Neighbors Loving Neighbors and will use another portion of it in advertising for the campaign.

The Golden State Warriors sent clothing to be distributed.

"The response has been incredible," said Habibi Mamone, president of Neighbors Loving Neighbors and executive tournament director for The Greenbrier Classic.

Donations to Neighbors Loving Neighbors have exceeded $3.2 million so far.

Heading West

Perhaps West Virginia's best-known sports star, Jerry West is lending financial and personal support, along with his wife Karen.

The Wests toured area homes Sept. 9, along with project manager Tony Mamone and officials from The Greenbrier, the entity behind the Neighbors Loving Neighbors campaign.

Phyllis Atkinson's home on Willow Street should be move-in ready next week. She was a telephone operator at The Greenbrier, and retired after more than 20 years at the resort.

Pat Humphreys' home is expected to be completed in the next few weeks. She just lost her husband a year ago. He was a caddy at The Greenbrier.

Other homes might take several more weeks.

On Crescent Avenue in White Sulphur Springs, new construction must be elevated 2 feet above the floodplain code line, demonstrated on a utility pole that measures at about West's shoulders.

"When you go through tragedy, miracles can happen," said West, a 6-foot-3 Hall of Fame basketball player with the Los Angeles Lakers and current executive with the Golden State Warriors. "It's really a miracle to see the work that is being done.

"It's amazing to see what can happen when people are committed to seeing it be accomplished."

West said because he grew up with a meager childhood in West Virginia, the cause is "touching."

"I've been very fortunate to live a very different life," he said. "We seek to help people and not publicity. It's an amazing undertaking."

West said he looks forward to returning next summer and seeing people back in their homes.

"We just need more resources and time," he said.

"The Wests have been 150 percent in and very supportive," Habibi Mamone said. "They truly care about the people here. They're an extension of his family. He has a home here too."

Call to Come Back

West and the rest of the crew touring downtown White Sulphur Sept. 9 witnessed both devastation and hope brought on in knowing that great efforts are underway not only to restore homes but also the lives of people who have lived in close proximity to Howard's Creek for many generations without issue.

Heavy equipment rumbling, trucks hauling debris and contractors pounding away all serve as signs of progress.

Mennonite Disaster Services and other charitable organizations includ ing Baptist and Lutheran organizations have donated construction workers. All money coming in goes directly to purchasing materials, with none going to any administrative costs.

Those are being taken care of by Greenbrier Owner Jim Justice, according to Elmer Coppoolse, chief operating officer at The Greenbrier.

The people who live in Greenbrier County also need to earn paychecks, Coppoolse pointed out. But that is only accomplished through visitors coming back to the area.

"We would like to see an overwhelming interest come back for the fall and winter," he said. "That would be the best thing the people here could see."

Major Impact

Being efficient with its resources has helped Neighbors Loving Neighbors in many ways.

"We're trying to stretch our dollars as far as we can and help as many people as possible because of donated materials and labor," said Habibi Mamone. "So many people have been so generous in helping with our efforts, and we're making sure those funds get to the people who need them."

The efficiency also caught the attention of Homeland Security. The efforts in White Sulphur Springs will be duplicated in other areas recovering from flooding.

"Homeland Security has been very impressed with our process," Habibi Mamone said. "They'll use this same template across the state, including Richwood, Rainelle and Clendenin."

Neighbors Loving Neighbors also will provide a temporary basketball court for Richwood schools. Area churches in Greenbrier County have received donations.

"It's a huge effort," she said.

The homeowners don't want to leave their neighborhoods where they've lived for many years, and Habibi Mamone said that's understandable.

"They have a lot of memories there," she said. "They either inherited the property or they raised their kids there. They're proud people that don't want to ask for help. But they're very appreciative of everything.

"It's been very rewarding to see how many lives we are touching."

Donations may be sent to The Greenbrier, with a Neighbors Loving Neighbors designation. Online contributions also can be given at greenbrier.com/ neighbors.