Photo courtesy of Ashley Nance.
Once a Rebel
Hopson and Ashley Nance along with their children, Hopson, 19, Harry, 17, Elizabeth, 14, and Henry, 11 1/2.
The crippling snowstorm in late January brought out the best in many residents, who did whatever they could to help neighbors, even strangers, in their path. Taking it one step further, Hopson and Ashley Nance conceptualized an idea to help the community should an emergency situation arise again.
That idea is known as “Once a Rebel.” According to Ashley Nance, Once a Rebel is a group of local citizens, now more than 50 members strong, who own a four-wheel drive or ATV and are willing to be activated to serve if an emergency happens in the community.
“Everyone in the group was out helping during the ‘dusting’ we had January 28,” said Nance. “They weren’t asked, they just felt called to help their neighbors. Most of them were out helping people all Tuesday and Wednesday. It became their job. No one has asked for any praise or thank you, but wow, they deserve it!”
The idea was borne out of a Facebook discussion between Nance, Kendra Thornley and City Public Services Director Brian Davis, shortly after the weather had passed.
“Kendra mentioned that a group needed to be formed that had a list of people in Vestavia Hills who would be willing to help neighbors in the event of an emergency,” said Nance. “I thought it was a wonderful and very easy thing to do, so I started ‘advertising’ for it on Facebook."
"While right now we have over 50 on the list, I would love it if we could double it. Can you imagine at least 100 men and women helping neighbors in a coordinated effort during a time of need? It’s a beautiful thought!”
At this time, Nance is in coordination with Mayor Zaragoza and City Manager Jeff Downes to develop procedures for how the group will activate and engage with city officials when the need arises. While those guidelines are in development, Nance said she has received enthusiastic support for the idea.
“People have been very positive about it,” she said. “When you talk to people who were out helping others during the snow, they will tell you that they were doing what any good neighbor would do. These men and women would make the same choice today as they made January 28. When you talk to the recipients of that help, for them it meant the world. It was children coming home safely, co-workers who needed medications taken home so they could take them, students and teachers stranded at schools being able to get home safely. When you add up all the small, random acts of kindness these men and women performed, it’s humbling. Everyone who has volunteered to be a part of OAR is excited to be part of an intentional effort to serve our wonderful city in its time of greatest need.”
Those interested in joining Once a Rebel are encouraged to email Nance at ashnance@charter.net to sign up. Required information includes name, cell phone, email address, street address, four-wheel drive vehicle make, model and year and the school(s) in which the signee’s child/children are enrolled. Once a Rebel, always a Rebel!
