A neighbor’s helping hand can do a great deal for the lives of many.

Case in point: Shirl Milton. She lives a quarter mile down the road from the family of the late Carter Thomas White, who was tragically killed in a hunting accident Dec. 2, and has a son who went to school with White.

“I’ve never seen a family grieve like their family did,” she said. “And so when this happened, I have strong, strong faith … and probably about a month or so afterwards, I just prayed about what God wanted me to do, and this is what I was led to do was to start this (benefit).”

God performed a wonderful act in her efforts. “We raised over $10,000 for the Charlotte County FFA (Future Farmers of America) Alumni in Carter’s memory,” said Milton, one of the benefit organizers.

The event was held April 29 when approximately 500 people came to the Aspen Community Association building to take part in a benefit held in honor of White, a Randolph-Henry High School junior.

Raising the money in such a short time for such a cause is a testament to the caring and compassion of those involved and the community that supported the effort.

A more lasting testament is the 500 people who came out to support the White family.

“It’s just overwhelming, basically,” said Will White, Carter’s father. “They didn’t want me to help with doing this, they wanted to do it all, and they did a great job, and everybody was involved. We appreciate it.”

Regina White, Carter’s mother, echoed her husband’s thoughts and said, “This community’s wonderful.”

We agree with Regina.

The students of Charlotte County involved in FFA — our community’s future leaders — will benefit from this unity in the community through the funds raised in White’s honor.

“Everything was all about Future Farmers of America,” Milton said. “(White) said that when he grew up, he was going to be a farmer. He was going to take over his grandfather’s farm.”

May the memory of Carter White live on through unity in community and giving back to help others.