Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and strength. The second is this, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31)

Residents from the city of Port Huron and surrounding areas donated 30,000 bottles of water to the city of Flint, Michigan, on Tuesday to help alleviate the water contamination crisis that has gripped the city for months. The city of Flint is located approximately 65 miles west of Port Huron.

With the city of Flint under a Public Health Emergency after a recent study found elevated levels of lead in children’s blood, a need for clean water gained the city national attention. When Port Huron City Councilman Alphonso Amos became aware of the magnitude of the Flint water crisis he knew the City of Port Huron had to do something to help our neighbor.

Councilman Amos joined forces with Port Huron resident Sean Faulkner to start a local campaign to collect donations of cases of water bottles and money to purchase additional water. Councilman Amos coordinated two drop off locations, one at the local Applebee’s and the other at an architectural firm known as SyDesign. However, Mr. Faulkner decided that was not enough. In order to get the amount of donations needed he worked with store managers and volunteers to set up water stations at the local Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Kroger. Sean along with his team of volunteers stood outside of stores encouraging shoppers to support the city of Flint by donating water.

Sean’s passion for service made him want to do something for the residents in Flint. “I woke up one day and said something needs to be done. They are our neighbors and if we don’t help them, what kind of neighbor will that make us.” said Community Organizer Faulkner. Councilman Amos stated, “When I found out Flint was in need it was a natural instinct for me to want to help.” He went on to say, “This is not only a Flint problem, this is a state of Michigan problem and I feel obligated to help in any way that I can.”

Love your neighbor as yourself is a powerful statement but even more potent when put into action. The grand display of love by Port Huron Councilman Alphonso Amos and Community Organizer Sean Faulkner for the city of Flint is an inspirational example of how a community can come together to help out a neighboring community.

Both Amos and Faulkner shared that this service opportunity was a reminder that their purpose in life is not just for themselves, but for neighbors who may be in need.