Love thy neighbor: Ormond-by-the-Sea women organize community potluck for those impacted by Hurricane Milton flooding

Held on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Salty Mermaid Art Studio in Ormond-by-the-Sea, the Wacky Wahine and other locals donated dozens of homemade dishes for the event.

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After Hurricane Milton left local Ormond-by-the-Sea neighborhoods flooded, residents Craig and Connie Huckeby were driving through local streets when he turned to his wife and said he wished there was something they could do to help.

Financial support was not a possibility, but Connie started brainstorming. What about providing a free homemade dinner, and enlisting a local group of women, the Wacky Wahine?

"What if I just say, 'Hey anybody want to help do this? And it just went crazy," Connie Huckeby said.

And that's how the Love Thy Neighbor, Help Thy Neighbor dinner was born. Held on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Salty Mermaid Art Studio in Ormond-by-the-Sea, the Wacky Wahine and other locals donated dozens of homemade dishes, from meatloaf to potato salad, and desserts including cupcakes, pies and cookies. The dinner was planned in one week, with Connie and Craig Huckeby distributing 190 flyers to their neighbors. Her friend Gale Hollars also helped organize the event, and Penny Shumate provided her shop's space. 

Several people she spoke with in the process expressed they hadn't had a homemade meal in a long time — even before the storm, Connie Huckeby said. 

In addition to the homemade dishes that were donated by the Wacky Wahine, local restaurants Lottie Bell's BBQ and Frank's Place provided food. Connie Huckeby also brought a tote of clothes for people in need. 

The Wacky Wahine group was formed in 2015 by Angie DiMauro, who owns Aloha Realty. DiMauro said she knew how hard it was for women to meet other women and get together for social activities. 

Seeing the women come together for a community initiative like the dinner is a beautiful thing," DiMauro said.

"It's great because it worked," she said. "It just worked. Ladies meeting ladies and making friends, and then starting to do this and do that — but we all come together."

Ormond-by-the-Sea resident Jane Weagley was one of the people who attended the dinner. Her home sustained significant flooding during Hurricane Milton, and when she posted a photo of the damages on Facebook, DiMauro reached out within minutes, asking what she could do to help. 

And help, she did. DiMauro brought her and other impacted citizens several Publix gift cards, and the Wacky Wahine brought dog food, cleaning supplies and anything else they needed. 

"You never think it's going to happen to you, until it happens, and when it does, it hits you hard," Weagley said.

Despite her own losses, Weagley wanted to give back at the dinner too. She used the leftover funds in the gift cards provided to her to buy donations for other families in need, which she planned to distribute at the dinner. 

"I can't wait to give everything out to people," Weagley said. "... To see everybody come together like this, it just warms the heart."

Pastor Philip Egitto, of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, was among the attendees of the dinner. He was given the leftovers to help feed others in need in the community.

"This is just remarkable," Connie Huckeby said. "Beachside, it just seems like a different community of people. It's just amazing."

 

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