Thanksgiving: a neighborhood affair where Matthew hit hardest

Nearly two months have passed since Hurricane Matthew made landfall in our area, with St. Augustine among the hardest-hit areas.

Pam Ruiz did her Thanksgiving cooking inside an RV. She’s lived there since her Davis Shores home was washed out by the hurricane.

“Very tiny,” she said. “But that’s what I’m going to do my corn casserole in.”

Many of the homes on Arrecola Avenue suffered the same fate. They have been gutted, and many belongings have been thrown out.

But many people in the Ancient City are thankful this holiday, even under unfortunate circumstances.

Thanksgiving dinner was held outside at one home. Anyone who had no place to go was welcome.

It represents how the neighborhood has changed since Matthew.

Neighbors say they are more open, more willing to help one another.

“A lot more friendly,” said neighbor Sal Ropero. “We’re checking on one another, so it’s kind of cool.”

People forced out of their unlivable homes by tragedy have realized that having great neighbors is something to be thankful for.

Cox Media Group