JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — More than 500 local residents received some much-needed relief at the pump Saturday on Jacksonville’s Northside.
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Jacksonville Councilman Reggie Gaffney and his son, Reggie Gaffney, Jr. hosted a gas giveaway at the 76 gas station on Lem Turner Road and Dunn Avenue.
Those who took part received $20 worth of gas.
“It’s unfortunate that people are hurting in Jacksonville,” Gaffney said. “”I think it’s my duty as a leader to hear their pain.”
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One by one, residents pulled up to the pump.
“It’ll help the economy and everything,” participant Robert Green said. “People aren’t doing as good as they used to.”
The plan was to help a few hundred people at the event, but that took a turn.
Some residents said they were in line beginning at 4 a.m. Saturday morning.
“We had estimated 300,” Gaffney said. “Then it went up to 500. Yesterday, as individuals kept calling, we stopped counting at 1200.”
By the end of Saturday morning’s event, 500 people were able to receive the financial relief, meaning more than $10,000 was pumped out.
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The Gaffneys said they used their personal money to make this event possible.
“If we can help one more person save $20 to get a McDonalds meal, to get a child a birthday gift, $20 on their JEA bill,” Gaffney Jr. said. “Anything we can do to help can go a long way.”
Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church and Open Arms Community Church also helped with the event by providing volunteers.
“We appreciate it,” Green said. “That’s why we come out and are willing to wait.”
Councilman Gaffney currently represents District 7 and is running for State Senate.
“At this time gas is higher, by me giving them 20 dollars of gas -- that means that they can perhaps be able to buy groceries and be able to feed their family,” Gaffney said. “They can perhaps do things that they hadn’t been able to do.”
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Reggie Gaffney, Jr. is running for his father’s council seat. He shared his personal thoughts about the event.
“It feels great,” Gaffney Jr. said. “Anytime you can be a blessing, it’s a blessing. I think my role is to be a servant and to give back.”
Stephanie Lockwood was one of those who received $20 worth of gas at Saturday’s event.
“It’s really nice,” Lockwood said. “It’s a blessing. For whatever they’re giving away, it’s a blessing they’re giving back.”
The Gaffneys hope to host another gas giveaway on a different side of town in the near future.