'We've got to remember we're here for each other': Spreading cheer in Panama City Beach

With furniture that once sat in their living rooms now piled in heaps by the roadside, some folks got out and about Wednesday spreading a bit of positivity after the storm.

Early Tuesday morning, a devastating storm blew through the Panhandle of Florida and hit the eastern end of Thomas Drive hard, leaving many without a roof over their head or power.

Utility trucks were out in full force Wednesday morning trying to get power back up and running.

But in the meantime, there were folks out trying to get people’s spirits up with a few acts of kindness.

Ashley Sainz, who lives at Island Reserve on Panama City Beach, made it through the storm fine.

“My place was not bad at all,” Sainz said. “We could hear everything ... but we got blessed."

Sainz moved to Panama City Beach from Wyoming nine years ago.

And because she was blessed, Sainz was out trying to lend a hand and bless others on Wednesday. She was walking through the neighborhoods with a wagon full of trash bags, water, chips, Slim Jims, gloves and toothbrushes to name a few.

“We’ve got to remember we’re here for each other,” Sainz said.

Cherly Cargile, aka The Wagon Lady, was walking around the streets near Thomas Drive on Wednesday afternoon wearing a sign that simply said, “Be Positive.”

“We’re all going to be good. We’re alive and everything is going to be OK,” Cargile said with a big smile on her face.

Cargile has been in the area since 2001 and said she tries to get out as often as possible with her wagon and positive message.

“I gather the negative here and then throw it out,” she said, pointing to the wagon.

“Happy heals. We need each other more than ever now,” she said.

Earlier in the day, a group of men from The Church at the Beach were out assisting people in the cleanup.

“We feed people all the time, but we’re prepared to serve folks and love on them,” Pastor Jay Powell said after the storm.

The Church on the Beach is at 10620 Hutchison Blvd.

This article originally appeared on The Destin Log: Amid Panama City Beach destruction, acts of kindness help spread cheer