Snowed-Out-Atlanta: How one woman brought a big city back to it’s small town roots
By: Tauna Pierce
Tags: Making A Difference, Atlanta, Southern Heritage, History, Southern

Michelle Sollicito has been called a hero from group members and various media outlets. She seems to be a very humble person and doesn’t see herself that way, and has stated that she’s too shy to go on television for interviews. She said “I want to thank everybody who has been saying such nice things about me on the internet, but I’m not a superhero. I couldn’t have done this without everyone else.”

She released a short video earlier today explaining why she did what she did. You can watch it HERE.

Because of Michelle’s ingenuity and the local community stepping up to the plate, thousands of people were helped that otherwise may not have fared so well. If you take some time to scroll through SnowedOutAtlanta and its subgroups, in addition to pleas for help (which are meticulously accounted for until resolved) you will also see posts like these:

Thanks for all the help. Had mom and dad make it safe due to the care and concern of Atlanta and this group. Unity is so powerful. — Dustin Hall SnowedOutAtlanta is the reason that my husband made it home last night. — Suze Asfour ‎As a Marine veteran, I wanted to express how impressed I am with the extraordinary heroism I’ve witnessed from our civilians. Compassion and grit come from all races, ages, backgrounds. — Wesley Au-Yeung We had a Good Samaritan, Coach Joe Keller, who used his truck to transport over 100 students and staff to their homes. He does not have any children at our school and spent 6 hours making sure all of our kids were able to get home. — Lindsay Elkins I see a woman get out of her car and give a scarf to a woman walking and then she took the jacket off of herself and handed it over as well. Wow…. Just wow…. — Kimberly Buckley Hey folks. I’m a trucker stuck on I-285 at exit 60 (Riverdale RD). I have some food and water for anyone close to me. I’ll walk up to a mile or so to help if needed. I don’t have a ton but I have enough to spare to quite a few folks. If you’re pregnant, have kids with you or elderly. You will be priority. Don’t be afraid to ask. Times like this-we help each other. — Joe Schmitz If anyone out there is still stranded near Cumberland Mall, exit 18 on 285…. or anywhere just around the Smyna area… my home is open. We can come get you. — Maria Curtis Food/shelter etc available off Peachtree Industrial. Please contact us … we can’t pick you up but might be able to help find someone who can. kid/pet/family friendly. — Ashley Barbo This page helped me direct my husband who had been in his work truck stranded for 18 hours, to safety. It was a relief to myself and my children to know he wasn’t alone. I learned valuable lessons today just from reading and helping and encouraging others on this page. — Rachel Gravitt Hundreds of people out bringing food, water, blankets, hot chocolate and giving rides if they have 4 wheel drive vehicles that are capable or even opening their home to strangers! Southern Hospitality at its best! I’d rather be stranded with some good Ol’ Southerners any day!! — Robin Washburn Hey people on Interstate 20 westbound at McDaniel Street Exit 55 — it’s lunch time! I am packing up now with 16 lunches, and ~3 gallons of water, and some cups and plates too. Who’s hungry? — Eric Morrisey Let’s try something different — to lighten to mood: 44, Single male. Was stranded and saved by an unknown single female with beautiful smile and wonderful personality. If you remember me contact me. — Bruce Troville My faith in humanity is hereby restored! Thank you. 13.5 hour overnight commuter, 3 pm till 4:30 am Buckhead to Canton. –John Ryan This group resulted in the rescue of my mom. I am forever grateful! — Karen Sommerville I urge all of you to continue putting forth kindness and generosity into the community, especially if you were on the receiving end of the good deeds of strangers yesterday. Imagine how many people could be saved and/or rehabilitated if this many people fought for them. If you would like information on volunteering in the Atlanta area, please contact me. — Maggie Young After this is over, can we rename the group HelpOutAtlanta? We should do this every day — not just in times of crisis! Kudos to whomever started this group! — Traci Curran

My husband and I have turned off the media reports. Now that most people have been rescued, the “blame game” is starting and we just have no desire to listen to it. In the scheme of things, we all need to remember that we have to be prepared for what nature has to offer, whether we live in a city or the country, and regardless of who is our Mayor or our Governor. And quite frankly, I can’t imagine that we’ll ever be able to truly predict what weather is going to bring us.

In the meantime, have an emergency plan. Be sure to have plenty of gas in your vehicle next time it looks like bad weather, and absolutely get an emergency kit together to keep in your car — complete with food, supplies, tools, blankets, etc. — it could make all the difference in the world.

The best we can do is be smart, resourceful and helpful. And after seeing the magic that happened after one lovely woman started a Facebook group, after seeing citizens putting their efforts toward becoming the solution to a problem that was bigger than all of us, after this great big icy mess I believe that our best asset is truly each other.