According to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 11,000 people go to the hospital every year for snow-related injuries. Waking up and clearing a car covered with snow, can not only be daunting, it can be hard on our bodies. The cold weather can bring out the worst in people, but it can also bring out the best in people. News 5 was there, witnessing people helping each other; neighbors helping neighbors and strangers helping strangers.
"Woke up this morning, turned over and said, I'll deal with this later." said downtown resident, Bernadette Pace.
Pace's day may have started out like yours.
"Oh my gosh, we're in trouble. I looked out, okay, I'm going back to bed," said Pace.
That was her initial thought, at least., but, she had to get to work.
"I had a two-hour commute this morning," said Ryan Hazlett, talking to Pace. He ran into Pace outside her apartment complex and started helping her brush the snow off of her car. "this weather is unbearable," Hazlett joked.
The two of them caught our attention.
"Get you all cleaned off so you can get to work on time."
Hazlett, braving the cold to do the right thing.
"I got your headlights. So you should be good to go." said Hazlett.
"Thank you so much," exclaimed Pace as the two embraced in a hug.
Hazlett works downtown. He says the thought of helping pace was a no brainier.
"I know i can always appreciate the help cleaning off my car - it's not the easiest task especially when it's this cold," said Pace.
And it meant more to Pace than Hazlett may even realize.
"I so much appreciate it because the areas that we live in now, people don't normally think of people helping other people," said Pace. "When you see random acts of kindness such as that, i just feel even better about moving back to Cleveland."
Just remember, if you do plan to help people out, be sure to time it accordingly. Experts say it only take about half an hour for frostbite to set in when it is this frigid.
