{"id":12803,"date":"2018-09-22T19:30:00","date_gmt":"2018-09-22T19:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/salarmyeds.org\/?p=12803"},"modified":"2026-09-28T19:34:03","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T19:34:03","slug":"neighbors-helping-neighbors-on-harkers-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salarmyeds.org\/index.php\/2018\/09\/22\/neighbors-helping-neighbors-on-harkers-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Neighbors Helping Neighbors on Harkers Island"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HARKERS ISLAND, NC (September 21, 2018) \u2013<\/strong> Mariah Gillikin grew up on Harkers Island, a small island community in Carteret County that was rocked by Hurricane Florence. Due to the geography \u2013 jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean toward Cape Lookout \u2013 Harkers Island was one of the first areas to feel Florence\u2019s impact, and it\u2019ll likely be one of the last to feel the recovery. High winds, storm surge and rain \u2013 the 1,200 who call this place home felt it all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFortunately, I had minimal damage at my house,\u201d Gillikin said. \u201cConsidering what everyone else is going through, it was nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gillikin now teaches at Harkers Island Elementary School, the school she attended as a child. But, she\u2019s not going back to school any time soon \u2026 to teach, that is. She has been there all week, with a dozen friends, family and coworkers, to help The Salvation Army provide meals to her neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing better I can do with my time than help others,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While power crews are working their way down Highway 70 East, Harkers Island and many other nearby communities are still without electricity. School is canceled for next week, as most residents are still trying to assess the damage and start the recovery process. In the meantime, access to a good meal has been a primary concern. The Salvation Army has been there all week, setting up in the parking lot of Harkers Island Elementary School to serve lunch and dinner. To-date, The Salvation Army has provided more than 4,500 meals to people in need. They are able to drive up and get a plate, and Gillikin has organized an \u201carmy\u201d of volunteers to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keith Wall, a Harkers Island resident, stopped by to pick up lunch while out helping his neighbors cut fallen trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving a meal is great,\u201d he says. \u201cYou can\u2019t underestimate the value of things like water, ice and a good meal. It means so much that people have come from all over to help us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s right, the area has seen a rush of help from the outside. But, on Harkers Island this week, it’s also help from the inside from neighbors like Gillikin. And, serving alongside her is Jeannie Garcia, a Morehead City resident with a story of her own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Garcia got involved with The Salvation Army about three years ago. She\u2019s a member of the Salvation Army Women\u2019s Auxiliary, and she regularly volunteers with The Salvation Army of Carteret County. Her life is busy, as she serves as the caregiver for her bedridden mother, 95, and a brother who has physical limitations. These challenges made it near impossible for her and her family to evacuate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the hurricane, they lost power and part of their kitchen ceiling caved in. But, they managed to make it through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She had peace in the storm, which is a product of her unwavering faith. Weighing on her mind was Psalm 118:24: \u201cThis is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.\u201d How do you rejoice when going through a hurricane? According to Garcia, you keep your eyes on Jesus. It\u2019s not about rejoicing for<\/em> the storm, it\u2019s about being glad in<\/em> it. And, her way of making the most of the day the Lord has made, is by giving of herself, just like Jesus did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven though I have needs of my own, there are people in more need than me,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s an old saying that is \u2018Today it\u2019s you, tomorrow it could be me.\u2019 You never know, tomorrow it could be me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, today, she and Mariah Gillikin are serving others alongside The Salvation Army. It\u2019s not because they have to; it\u2019s because they know their neighbors are in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m just trying to be a servant,\u201d Garcia said. \u201cA \u2018thank you\u2019 isn\u2019t necessary. If it blesses you, pass it on.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Salvation Army <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

HARKERS ISLAND, NC (September 21, 2018) \u2013 Mariah Gillikin grew up on Harkers Island, a small island community in Carteret County that was rocked by Hurricane Florence. Due to the geography \u2013 jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean toward Cape Lookout \u2013 Harkers Island was one of the first areas to feel Florence\u2019s impact, and 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