Charity

On September 4th of last year, Grayson Currin and I were distributing flyers and greeting the crowd at the inaugural African-American Cultural Festival in downtown Raleigh, one of the many events we attended to drum up awareness for the first Hopscotch. While standing in City Plaza, shaking hands, I met a woman who, only seven days later, orchestrated an experience I’ll never forget.

When I returned to our promotional table that day, sweaty and weary, I found her sitting in my chair. Her name was Sylvia, and she was surrounded by teenagers. To say I liked Sylvia immediately seems redundant, because I imagine everyone who has ever come into contact with her feels the same. Still, because she was overtly energetic and fairly loud (two traits I possess that either endear people to me or repel them), I felt a kinship. Sylvia’s boisterous personality is the galvanizing sort: Since 1972, in what began as a response to a local newspaper story about a homeless man who froze to death in Durham, Sylvia Wiggins has harnessed her charisma and passion to grow the Helping Hand Mission into one of the Triangle’s most respected, nourishing organizations, not to mention one of its best bands. As that Saturday afternoon wound down into evening, Sylvia spoke of a marching band—comprised of many of the same teenagers hanging out near her—that would gladly take up my impromptu offer to play in City Plaza the following week. “Just call me, honey,” she insisted.

Following several sleepless nights of preparation and two full days of Hopscotch, I walked frantically from hosting a daytime panel to the entrance of our headlining venue on Fayetteville Street. Late for my own party, I had missed the two opening acts. What’s more, I had completely forgotten that I actually did call Sylvia—that is, until I heard the ting of a cymbal around the corner. When I turned, I realized the Helping Hand Mission band—after my chance meeting and a single phone call to Sylvia—had shown up to usher Public Enemy to the stage. It was the only secret that I’d kept from everyone, including festival and Independent Weekly owner Steve Schewel. And as the crowd parted for the band to stomp around the Plaza in their thunderous joy, it became a most memorable surprise. Thanks to Sylvia, it worked.

I recently sat down with Sylvia for the first time since that last memorable night of Hopscotch to ask if Helping Hand Mission would be our non-profit beneficiary for this year’s Hopscotch. Just as she did six months ago, she accepted my proposal. In a world where problems are global and seemingly insurmountable, Sylvia and her staff work daily to serve meals, provide furniture and housing, and to help pay utility bills for residents of five different North Carolina communities. According to her, the Mission’s goal is to “minimize people’s problems” by applying “common sense” with a simple, profound purpose—helping others.

Hopscotch will make an undisclosed donation to begin our campaign to support Helping Hand Mission in 2011. We aim to bring increased attention and funding to their cause, so please stay tuned for more information on special events and donation opportunities throughout the year. 

To learn more about Helping Hand Mission, visit www.helpinghandmission.org. —Greg Lowenhagen