by Shawn Nowlin
It’s one thing to hear about an unfortunate situation and just feel empathy towards those affected by it. It’s entirely different to be part of the solution.
For months the Flint (MI) water crisis has been in the national headlines. This much we do know so far: Flint changed its water source from Detroit Water and Sewerage Department to the Flint River, Flint officials failed to apply corrosion control treatment and there have reportedly been between 6,000 and 12,000 non-fatal injuries.
Several months after the water crisis began governor Rick Snyder declared Michigan in a “state of emergency.” President Obama would soon go on to declare it a “federal state of emergency.”
Relief measures have poured in from countless sources all over the country donating water, money and other forms of aid to the Flint residents in need.
Operation Flint, which consists of several Roanoke organizations such as fraternities and churches have collectively joined the cause. Within a month the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office has collected approximately 300 cases of water. “I take great pride in public service and really think it’s our responsibility to serve the community so when the opportunity presented itself we took the ball and ran with it,” Roanoke City Sheriff Joseph Orange said.
Restaurants and other Roanoke businesses have also offered their services. Recently local Omegas led by Michael Hamlar, Operation Flint Chairperson along with Sheriff Orange and others, met at “Que House” (corner 12th St. and Loudon Ave. NW) where more than 1,000 cases were stocked and headed for Flint. The Omegas reportedly also plan on allocating additional resources as well.
“I have two siblings and a bunch of cousins who live in Flint,” said longtime Roanoke native Jalinda Tatum reflecting on the first time she heard about the Flint water crisis. “They all told me that it’s even worse than the media is making it out to be.” She said she isn’t currently in a position to give any money but went on her social media platforms to help spread the world.
As a result of the crisis, eight lawsuits have been filed against government officials on the issue. Four of those officials – which included two from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as well as one from the Environmental Protection Agency and City of Flint – have all resigned over the mishandling of the situation.
In addition to big names like Ziggy Ansah (NFL) and Jimmy Fallon (TV host), Compton musician Kendrick Lamar also donated aid to Flint residents.
Local resident Robert Jackson has also been in contact with representatives in Flint. “This isn’t really a black or white situation as it is more of an economic issue,” he said. “If we were talking about say Beverly Hills (CA) I strongly doubt that things would have gotten to this point.”
“We (Omegas) have a chapter up there in Flint and they say it’s just amazing how people are living at the moment. I mean they are getting one case of water a day,” said Hamlar. “How can you survive on that? They need toiletries, hand sanitizer and they still are in dire need of drinking water.”
Members of Pilgrim Baptist Church (local) acknowledged the call for help and contributed 350 cases of water to Omega’s “Que House.” The church applauded the fraternity and other community donors for their efforts to help the citizens of Flint, MI.
