In the aftermath of the recent snowstorms, many islanders expressed thanks to those who helped them along the way, whether by pulling their car out of a ditch or bringing them food or firewood when they could not leave their homes.

The island’s food bank benefitted from the kindness of many volunteers who took food to a family who could not get out, completed routine home deliveries in advance of another snowfall and cleared the parking lot of the Methodist church so food distribution could happen in a more central location.

Vashon Community Care officials spoke about staff there going above and beyond the call of duty, working double shifts, sleeping overnight at VCC and giving each other rides to get to and from work.

Inspired, we asked islanders to send us their stories. We are sharing many — but by no means all — of them here. They describe challenging days made easier because of the kindness of family, friends and neighbors, as well as complete strangers.

Our thanks to all who participated — and who lent a hand in the memorable snowy days and nights.

Rhonda Hobgood: I was on the receiving end of two acts of kindness. A neighbor happened to pull up next to me when my car got stuck Friday, Feb. 8, and gave me a ride home — thank you, Deja! It wasn’t even snowing at my house when I went to pick up my kids that day from school. I had to abandon my car in the heavy snow, which I didn’t know had partially blocked a driveway because the heavy snowfall concealed it. The second act of kindness was Brenna Carlson, whose driveway I partially blocked, didn’t have my car towed and waited for me to pick it up, which I did as soon as I was able. Brenna said someone had her car towed in Portland years ago in a snowstorm there, and it was a huge hardship for her. Today it is Feb. 13, and I counted over 20 abandoned cars driving to the ferry. Everyone is doing their best to retrieve their cars. We need more compassion and understanding in the world. Thank you and I will be paying it forward!

Karen Parker Pruett: My daughter Amy Melissa Pruett rescued six people last night. She picked up a hitchhiker and took him home; his car was stuck in his driveway. Then she pulled three cars out of the ditch near Dockton — a lady, an older couple and two younger girls. She was driving her boyfriend’s quad because her car is stuck in the driveway. Before all this happened, she made it to our house and brought us dinner and birthday cake for her dad. We are calling her the Power Ranger. Very proud of this lady, and I am certain those folks were glad she happened along when she did. This all took place between 8:30 and 9:30 last night. She said, “Mom! I learned how to use the winch!” LOL. Not only that, but she made it to work at Sporty’s this week and fed the road crews. Above and beyond.

Caitlin Little: I want to nominate my husband, Harold Little. He works nights at Thriftway as one of the night managers, but every night before work he went around picking up everyone who wasn’t able to make it in and taking them to the store, bringing them home after and then bringing more people to work at the store so they were fully staffed. This meant he worked 12- hour days. He’d sleep a few hours, and then get up and would leave to drive around and pull people out of ditches, bring elderly folks groceries that they needed, and checked on elderly people that he knew lived alone. He also brought several boxes of Duraflame logs to someone in Dockton who didn’t have power after they posted on Facebook. During all this, he only slept about three hours every day and assisted with our four rowdy boys so I could work remotely from home. Today, he plowed our entire neighborhood so everyone could leave safely. He is amazing.

Whitney Rose: My husband, Casey Rose, would hate that I am recognizing him, but as he started the trek uptown yesterday around 4 p.m. he passed a crew of Potelco workers at the bottom of the 99th Avenue hill from Summerhurst. He stopped to ask if they needed anything and, of course, the foreman said no. Casey proceeded to get them some snacks at Thriftway and left them in one of the Potelco vehicles as they were out working on the lines. I can only assume it was this same group that got our power back on after almost 34 hours. I am thankful for Joe and his Potelco crew!

Shelley Hanna: I got stuck on a hill, with my chains on the car, and a stranger with a big truck stopped, tried to assist, then towed me all the way to my destination.

A friend also drove us all the way to the ferry, with many detours, just because — he didn’t need to go anywhere, but made sure we got there.

My partner helped someone shovel the plow hump out of the way. She was trying to clear the driveway enough to get an oxygen delivery.

Sarah Low: My house is set back from the road, and we share a driveway with a neighbor. The driveway is about 30+ yards long with trees along both sides. The snow was still quite deep on it by the time schools opened again last Thursday, but I needed to get out to get my son to school and myself to work. My neighbor’s car was stuck at the road end, so I helped push his car out and to the side. Then he said “I have an idea!” and went and fired up this old excavator he’d been using for landscaping work around his house. Not to dig out, as that would have taken too long with the digger, but to run it up and down the driveway a couple of times to tamp down the snow so it wasn’t so deep. He did it, and I was able to get out after a week in the house with my son and 76 hours without power. Thank you, Scott Younker, you’re the best!

Josephine Hutton: My neighbor Derek Hinz got me some groceries last night and walked them up in the dark and slush from where he had to park his car. Michelle Casad also got me groceries on Sunday. Thank you.

Jerry Sawyer: The Vashon Roads Crew deserves a huge thank you for what they have done and will continue to clean up for weeks to come from this storm, not to mention the many more we will encounter in the future. Bravo and thank you, all!

Cate O’Kane: Got rain water from our neighbor so we could flush our loo! Joy!

Ginger Denning: Jennifer Hawke sharing road conditions videos, very helpful.

Kerri Grace: I was heartened to see/hear about so many acts of kindness and [examples of] community care shared during this time. One that really touched me deeply was seeing/meeting a hospice nurse skiing in to be with her patient and his family.

Caralee Bower: I foolishly decided I needed to drive to town Saturday and got stuck right out of my driveway. Two gentlemen from the fire department were turning off a hydrant and gave me an assist back into my driveway when they finished their task. Thanks again!

Denise Alberthal: I picked up one of the island’s homeless people by the golf course. On our way up town he told me how he lives in a tent in this weather.

I asked him what would make his life a little easier right now. His response was hand warmers. So I took him to my work at Island Lumber and bought him a bunch of warmers, warm socks and warm gloves. Oh and the cup of hot coffee he asked for. It made me feel proud that I could make even a small difference in this man’s life.