Couple to help flood victims

Web posted March 21, 1997

By Brad Schrade
Staff Writer

Betty Neumar used to cut hair for a living. When Falmouth, Ky., lost its barbershops and beauty parlor to a flood this month, the Augusta woman decided to help.

Ms. Neumar and her husband, John, will set out today with relief goods for the small Kentucky town to help the flood victims. The retired North Augusta beautician will bring some beauty supplies to help repair the town's three barbershops and one beauty shop.

``We had these beauty chairs and other things sitting in storage and weren't doing us any good,'' Ms. Neumar said. ``We thought we could lend a hand.''

They parked a U-haul truck in front of A. Brian Merry Elementary School on Boy Scout Road on Thursday and asked people to donate whatever they could. The couple expects the truck to be full of bottled water, canned goods and clothes by the end of today, when they set out on the 588-mile trip. Pupils at the school wrote letters to the flood victims that the Neumars will deliver.

The couple - he's 68, she's 65 - aren't with any relief agency. They like it that way. They just saw all the devastation and decided to help.

Ms. Neumar has been touched by her share of disasters. In the 1950s her sister's house was destroyed by fire. In 1964, her own home in Key West, Fla., was flooded in a hurricane.

She said those experiences affected her life and is why she wants to help others whose lives have been torn apart by disaster.

``I hope to talk to the people and let them know we care,'' Ms. Neumar said. ``I not only feel their pain. I know their pain.''

The Neumars will be parked beside the school from about 8 a.m. until about 3:30 p.m. today and have asked that people make donations.

Anna Helms donated clothes and groceries Thursday. She brought her daughter, Taylor, 6, with her to teach an important lesson. Ms. Helms is making the donation, in part, so her daughter learns the importance of helping others.

``If more people would do this sort of thing the world would be a whole lot better off,'' Ms. Helms said. ``I think what they're doing is great.''

The American Legion Post No. 178 is also sending a truck today to Louisville, Ky., packed with groceries, linens and cleaning supplies to help flood victims.