BETHLEHEM, PA - In times of crisis, communities come together.
"I had an elderly dad who sat there and just started crying, couldn’t believe that people are just coming out and helping and we don’t know who they are, no questions asked," explains Amber Noelle from Lancaster, "So it’s been humbling for us and such a blessing to be able to actually help other people."
Tyrevif Whitlow and Amber Noelle are two Lehigh Valley locals helping those who can’t pick up crucial groceries and other necessities. As families struggle through the coronavirus pandemic, the Steel Fitness Riverport employee and his friend are using social media to connect their community. Together they created Project Inspire, a Facebook group to reach those in need.
PBS39 News Tonight Reporter, K.C. Lopez, asks "From what I understand, you were helping one person and now this Facebook group has over two thousand members. How did that happen?"
"Well, at my job, I’m a trainer. A young lady had fallen into a situation where she was abused and she was taken out of the home but she had nothing, so I started helping her out. Then the Coronavirus hit and she had nowhere to stay because no one is taking anyone in. So, I didn’t have a lot of resources so I started to ask Amber if she knew any way she could help and she traveled all the way down, two hours away, to help this young lady out; she brought her all these groceries," explained Whitlow, "After that, I don’t know how the word started getting out that I was helping people but people kept asking me for help and I kept helping people. I started the page, I was like, if I could just make a page where people know other people are in need, I think it would help a lot of people out and that’s how it started."
Now, locals from across the area are using the Project Inspire group to share vital information on food pantries, where to get protective equipment, organizations in need of donations and more. Some are sharing how-to videos from their homes; like this Bethlehem mom’s tutorial on how to make personal face masks, to hand washing techniques shared by a Pennsylvania nurse. The group’s founders tell Lopez local restaurants and businesses are stepping in to help too.
"Not only are regular community people helping out, the businesses that are stepping up with no questions asked--a lot of these people don’t know me and with no questions asked they’re like, come here right now and I’ll help you," says Whitlow, "It speaks volumes of this community. And I’m proud to be part of the Lehigh Valley."
The pair tells PBS39 the decision to jump into action was an easy one. They say, if not them, then who?
"If I’m healthy and comfortable with going out and doing the shopping and doing drop offs and things like that then there’s a lot of people that are just scared and rightfully so. It’s understandable," says Noelle, "So why not us if we can?"
Whitlow says, "I felt like at this time, a lot of people felt like there was no one who cared and there was no help. So, I wanted to change that."
Whitlow and Noelle say any funds donated to Project Inspire are used strictly to purchase goods and supplies for the care packages they provide: filling them with essentials like food, toiletries, diapers and more. As well as reimburse volunteer delivery drivers for fuel. Anyone looking to help the project continue to inspire should reach out to Noelle and Whitlow through the Facebook group directly.
Got a news tip? Email K.C. at KCLopez@WLVT.org!
