Johnston County pilot spreads Christmas cheer in Bahamas By Randy Capps | Photos courtesy of Bob and Shannon Hugel
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MITHFIELD — There were probably only three people on earth doing what Selma residents Bob, Shannon and Samantha Hugel were doing the week before Christmas. The family flew a plane packed with Christmas gifts, donations and plenty of other items from Johnston County Airport to Florida to Long Island in the Bahamas — finally touching down at Deadman’s Cay Airport on their way to Mangrove Bush to spread a little holiday cheer. “It’s our first time,” he said, of spending Christmas in the Bahamas. “We figured we would do something different this year.” The family has made several trips to the island, severely affected by Hurricane Dorian in September. Hugel told the story of a woman named Kelly he met on a recent trip to the islands. The woman and her two teenage sons were living on Great Abaco, which is an island in the northern part of the Bahamas. They lost everything after the storm and were forced to move to Long Island, which is in the southeastern part of the islands. “I happened to be at Walmart the other day, and I saw shoes for $11,” he said, thinking of Kelly’s sons. “I thought, ‘This would be great.’ We made a connection with them, and we know them, because we met them last time. ... We’re just trying to help out anyone and everyone down there as often as we can.” The plane’s cargo included those shoes and other clothes for that family and others. There were a few other things crammed in there as well. “Whenever we go there, we try to meet new people,” he said. “We try to do whatever we can for people. Hear their stories and help them. There are some people we do regular help for. There’s a couple that needed water filters, so we’re having them delivered to the house. They’re buying them; we’re just carrying them down for them. Another gentleman has three vehicles, and all three of them are inoperable. So, I’m bringing a bunch of car parts down with me and tools. So, we’re going to work on his vehicles. He’s got a Tahoe, an Escalade and a Pathfinder.” Hugel, a volunteer for Adventist World Aviation (AWA), is focused on helping the outlying islands in the Bahamas. Most of the relief coming into the country is 6 | JOHNSTON NOW
