NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — This week's Everyday Hero doesn't just open her heart to the community — she opens her home.
I stopped by Sharese Whitaker's place in Newport News to see how she makes sure neighbors don't go without.
Whitaker is the founder of "Parents In Need" on the Peninsula. She gives away clothing, food, diapers, toys — and anything else someone might need.
"Any insecurity you have, if we can meet it, we meet it. We meet the need because there's a lot of needs out here on these streets," Whitaker said.
When I told Whitaker she was News 3’s newest Everyday Hero she was first confused, and then emotional.
"I'm grateful because it's always grateful to be thought about. Sometimes you don't feel appreciated and we know that all your appreciation and your blessings come from God," Whitaker said.
Whitaker hosts community drives from her Newport News home every week, sometimes several times a week. Volunteers like Debra Baker say it means a lot to people.
"They are so happy and they're always saying, 'Oh, how much is it? How much is it?' It's free, you know, it's free, you know, it's a blessing to the community," Baker said.
"You're struggling with gas, you're struggling with food, you're struggling with everything. And here you got somebody [that is giving] from the comforts of her own home," Prince said.
"She's a big asset to the community," Prince said.
Sylvia Jones has known Whitaker for close to 30 years and also volunteers her time.
"She has always been a giver. She has the heart for people and she loves God," Jones said.
Her daughter, who was joining the celebration via video call, echoed that sentiment.
"All my life, my mom has been a giver. If she couldn't give financially, she would give her time, she would, she would give her space. She's always been a giver," her daughter said. "I just always felt like she just never received the end of the stick that she really deserved so it [feels] good to be a part of something that she can take with her forever."
Southern Bank is giving Whitaker $425 — that's $125 more than the usual award — to mark their 125th year serving the community. Whitaker says it's going to her volunteers and the upcoming Christmas drive, so no one feels less than.
"If you need help, you're supposed to help a person, not make them feel like they have to beg, not make them feel bad because they need it. It doesn't matter how often or how little," Whitaker said.
Her next goal is to be able to have a space to keep all the donations and secure a box truck, minivan, or utility van. The van, she says, will pick up donations, make drop offs to people who do not have transportation, carry items to events, and assist with distributions in different neighborhoods.
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