Neighbors helping neighbors, it’s the Dripping Way

After more than a year of hardships for so many, a group of Dripping Springs residents is on a mission to do good. Created by Jon Bledsoe, Love Thy Neighbor is a group on Facebook where members can post words of encouragement, share acts of kindness, and request help for unmet needs for themselves or others.

“It’s more important than ever for us all to come together and act like neighbors,” Bledsoe said. “To do our best, to be compassionate and understanding of anyone and everyone. We need to get out more often and give more hugs. We need to listen more. We need more love. That is why I created the group.”

The public group is open to anyone in the Dripping Springs community. It’s grown to 664 members since it was created in May, and its impact has been felt in some big ways. From restaurants partnering to provide free meals, raising funds for single moms to get back on their feet, donations to medical bills, fundraising for a car purchase… the list of good deeds grows longer each day.

“The response since creating the group has been really great,” Bledsoe said. “People are really excited. They were excited immediately and the excitement has not slowed down. I hope that it never does! I’ve been stopped at Home Depot several times and other places specifically for them to shake my hand and talk about the LTN page. They are all very excited and thankful for the group.”

Most recently, the group banned together to raise money for building materials for a longtime Dripping Springs resident, Debbe Purcell, who needed a handicap ramp for her home. Purcell, who uses a walker for mobility and injured her knee, had been unable to get up and down the steps to her trailer safely. “I have been scooting across the floor to the couch then pulling myself up on the couch,” she wrote in a post on the group’s page.

It wasn’t long until the need was met! Bledsoe, who owns Blu J Construction, volunteered his time, along with his son, to build the ramp for Purcell. “ I think that it’s our duty to help others when we can, he said. “For anybody reading this, please come and be a part of our page. We have big plans and need as much support as possible. Even if all you have to give is compliments and saying nice things… come join and say something nice about someone.”

You can join the movement by visiting facebook.com/groups/515163179490930.