THEY say every cloud has a silver lining - and we have had plenty of clouds over Wanganui lately.
If the old adage is true, then the silver lining in the wake of the flood has been the big-hearted response right across our community - from volunteer workers to peopledonating food, money and household items. Or just dispensing a little comfort and kindness to a distressed neighbour.
Our front page today features a woman who lost her home to last weekend's traumatic event, but who has been buoyed by the generosity of strangers; and it also features the volunteer army getting stuck in to the big clean-up.
Who could fail to be impressed by Wanganui City College's Monday morning drill: "Report to school - bring a shovel!" Academic studies put aside, the students got a memorable lesson in good citizenship as they scraped up mud and silt.
Nobody was waiting for official pronouncements about enhanced Taskforce Green or the Rural Support Trust. They acted instinctively to do what they could and these heart-warming stories are all around - even as shell-shocked victims struggle to come to terms with their losses.
How appropriate that in the midst of TV's reporting of the flood, Seven Sharp should slip in a little feature about Sherron Sunnex and the Koha Shed where those who have little can go and get stuff for free. Her Wanganui enterprise has spread across New Zealand and now to Australia - a perfect example of doing your bit to help others.
The Chronicle is also going to do its bit. Next week we publish a 32-page special publication on the flood - "souvenir" might not be quite the right term - and it will go on sale at $5, with all proceeds going to mayoral relief funds in Wanganui and the Rangitikei.
Your support of this publication will be appreciated by those in need.
