Community support continues a month after devastating floods


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SPRING GLEN, Carbon County — You can find cupcakes and other baked goods in almost any town. But, not every town has the sweetness and feeling Spring Glen has.

You could feel it during the bake sale and car show held at the community park Saturday.

"It's awesome. Is awesome that people want to come by and help their community," said Heather Wilde, who lives in this small Carbon County town.

Wilde would know, especially after the flood.

"It was pretty devastating, but we've had a lot of help from our community," she said. "A lot of help from family coming in and helping getting things cleaned up."

In early August, that flood came through Spring Glen, sending water and mud into dozens of homes.

The Wilde's home was one of the worst hit.

"That was probably one of the worst days I've ever been through. It was just total helplessness," said Justin Wilde, Heather's husband.

The Wildes had just moved into their home two months before the flood — before mud crashed into their window well and started filling their basement.

The Wildes didn't really know anybody, until it seemed like everybody, started coming to their house to help.

"That's the thing that shocks me," Justin said. "We just moved into the area and to see people we've never even met before, to have them show up and help out and give donations and to help us with work it the basement, I was shocked. I mean, I couldn't believe it."

Saturday's bake sale and car show were held as a fundraiser to help other families.

"It's really about a sense of community," said Jenny Black, one of the event organizers. "We're a small town and things like this will bring out the community."

About 50 antique cars and about a dozen booths filled the town's community park.

"It's a great place to live," said Black. "We've had a lot of laughter and we've had tears throughout the flood, but at the end of the day, we are neighbors."

Originally, Justin was told it might cost $60,000 to fix his home.

However, with so many volunteers and with so many companies donating time and materials, he thinks the financial burden isn't going to be as bad as he first thought.

"We're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, so things are improving," Justin said. "It's going pretty well, so we're getting through it."

Yes, it will take more time for many of these families to get back to normal.

However, many of the families say it's nice to know they're not alone.

And maybe, just maybe, the flood might have been the best "welcome to our neighborhood present" the Wildes could have ever hoped for.

"I never knew people were so nice," said Heather. "It really means a lot to us and we are just so thankful for all the help we've had from everybody. Thank you."

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