When Snow and Ice Halted a Journey, One Georgia Resident Stepped Up
In January, 2025, a winter storm wreaked havoc on travel plans across the Southeast, leaving highways gridlocked and drivers stranded. Marcie Bradshaw was traveling from Virginia to Ocala, Florida. The icy conditions turned her trip into a nightmare. She was trapped on the road with her two horses for nearly 20 hours. Marcie was desperate for a safe place to stop.
With no other options, Bradshaw turned to a local Facebook group for help. That’s when Townsend resident Amanda Owens saw the post—and knew she had to act.
“I saw it, I was like, you know what, we have availability, we can let her hang out here for a little bit,” Owens recalled.
A simple horse arena suddenly became a refuge. Owens provided hay, water, and a place for the horses to stretch their legs. He even offered to let them stay the night. Her family had helped others during severe weather before. Nonetheless, it was the first time they did so because of snow in South Georgia.
“I just was thinking, I mean, she needs to get those horses off, she needs to get them moving,” said Owens.
Once the roads cleared, Bradshaw and her horses were capable of continuing their journey. But for Owens, the experience was more than just lending a hand—it was about carrying on a legacy of kindness.
“I was raised to help people. It’s just one of the values that was instilled in me, and hopefully my daughter who was here. She was super excited to help somebody,” Owens said.
Winter storms can bring frustration and hardship. This story serves as a reminder that even in the coldest moments, warmth and generosity can still shine through.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/91UYH1qyCdc?si=ASexNQVSzlDkYFuZ
- https://www.wtoc.com/2025/01/28/local-resident-helps-save-horses-winter-storm/
- https://chatgpt.com/
- https://app.pictory.ai/
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