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Karen Thigpen felt so blessed that she was not a victim of Hurricane Floyd
that she wanted to reach out and share that blessing with a community that
wasn't so lucky.
Her six sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins and in-laws in the Greenville/Pitt
County area all are struggling with the aftermath of being evacuated and
temporarily sheltered along with many other families. As Thigpen waits for word
on the extent of the damage, she is busy rounding up people and supplies to
help those families through this tragedy.
What began as a one-person effort quickly spread through her office in the
Department of Computer Science, where Thigpen is a processing assistant, and to
her church in Carrboro, where her husband, Jacques, is the minister.
"The outpouring of help has been amazing," Thigpen said. "There is just the
greatest bunch of good-hearted people here. Nobody asks questions, they just
give from the goodness of their heart."
Thigpen speaks daily to her sister, Sharon Sharp, who was the only sister to
come through the hurricane unscathed. Sharp has been monitoring the extended
family situation and giving Thigpen day-by-day reports.
"Instead of money, we are trying to collect clothing, bedding, linens, kitchen
and building supplies, bottled water and anything else they might need,"
Thigpen said.
Her co-workers took the baton and went on to their own churches for additional
support. "Even Katrina Marrow, a University bus driver who stops in our office,
went to her church and got volunteers," Thigpen said.
Meanwhile, as the collection effort moves forward, the need continues to grow.
"People I grew up with in Greenville; businesses that I patronized; places
where I used to work: I think about them all and feel so grateful that so many
people were willing and able to help," Thigpen said. "The hurricane season
isn't over yet. I would want somebody to help me."
Employees wanting to help Thigpen's cause can call her at 2-1717.
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