2020 has been one of the toughest years that many people can remember. But even in the darkest of times, Georgia communities found ways to come together in times of need and support.
Channel 2 Action News created an In This 2gether page where communities could share the good deeds from their neighbors. These are just some of the stories shared with us throughout 2020 that will restore your faith in humanity.
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Neighbors dress in pink to support breast cancer patient
Kedral “Keke” Thornton has been battling breast cancer. Earlier this year, Thornton had her 16th and final chemotherapy treatment. To celebrate the momentous occasion, her DeKalb County neighbors stood outside their house in pink and held signs as she headed to her appointment.
What makes this story even better? Thornton announced in June that she is now cancer free.
Anonymous Channel 2 viewers surprise family with gift card to buy Christmas gifts
The holiday spirit was alive and well for a Cobb County mother and her three kids thanks to the kindness of two strangers. When Channel 2 spoke with her, Kristen Perez-Waldhofer had just found out her unemployment benefits ran out.
Her daughter said she would donate her piggy bank money to pay for her siblings Christmas gifts. But generous Channel 2 viewers donated $1,000 gift cards to the family for the holidays. Watch the touching moment below:
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Residents cheer for frontline workers
For weeks, midtown neighbors joined together on their balconies to cheer on the first responders. The cheers from above easily echo through the eerily empty streets every night at 8 p.m. They drew inspiration from similar scenes in Europe.
Neighbors find a way to come together but from distance with neighborhood 3K
Community raises hundreds of thousands to keep local restaurants open
One of the hardest hit industries during 2020 has been local restaurants. Many restaurants have been fighting to stay afloat, some that have been in Georgia for generations. But they aren’t in this fight alone.
Customers have raised $118,000 in “Save the Colonnade” campaign for the Colonnade restaurant off Cheshire Bridge Road. The restaurant has been an Atlanta staple for 94 years. Over off North Highland, customers at Manuel’s Tavern raised $185,000 for the popular spot that first open in 1960s.
Some also worked to bring the restaurant to the community, including the owner of Revere Meat Co. in Clayton County.
Neighbors band together to help elderly brothers after tree falls on home
Gary and Quentin Abbott had to leave their home when a tree fell on the brothers’ place a few months ago. Neighbors mobilized their block and got people to come from all around to help clean the place up.
They set up a GoFundMe account that helped pay for a new roof.
FedEx driver and Tony Hawk make a kid’s dream come true
Thanks to the power of social media and a FedEx Driver, a metro Atlanta boy got a special shoutout and a new skateboard from his favorite athlete Tony Hawk back in May.
Not knowing Hawk’s address, the driver Mikail Farrar decided to take it to the internet to see what he could do. Thousands of people watched the video, including Hawk himself and watch what happened next:
Tyler Perry pays for metro seniors groceries, vans and much more
There could be a whole list dedicated to Tyler Perry’s acts of charity around the city. Back at the start of the pandemic, Perry had a special surprise for metro Atlanta seniors.
The media mogul paid for all their groceries at 44 Kroger stores across the city. To top it off, Kroger matched Perry’s donation.
Perry didn’t stop there. He also handed out hundreds of gift cards for families and gourmet meals for healthcare workers at Grady. He also donated a van to a woman who runs a charity that helps the homeless.
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