Lotsa Helping Hands for Families - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

Whether you're sick and shut in; lost your home to a fire; or are a new Mom who needs a helping hand; there's a website that offers a help in a new way.

It's called Lotsa Helping Hands, and it let's users post a sign up sheet of sorts so neighbors, family and friends can help out.
It couldn't have come at a better time for Amy Gibson. She's a stay at home military mom of 5 and 3 year old daughters, and a 3 month old son.

Amy's husband, Mike, a Naval Officer, was deployed to Kuwait just four days after their son's birth, leaving Amy with the huge task of raising the kids and caring for the home alone.

Amy says, "It's so hard to ask for help. I said I'll be fine, even though I was thinking I'm not gonna be fine."

Amy's friends and neighbors were compelled to step in and help.
Brooks Kenny became the lead coordinator for a private online community using Lotsa Helping Hands.

The website is a free online volunteer coordination service designed to organize and communicate tasks parents need help with.

Thirty-five of Amy's friend, neighbors, and family signed up. Kenny says, "They start signing up for things whether they wanna make meals for Amy; do a play date on Friday, if they are heading to Target.

It’s help the Gibson's couldn't do without.

Mike checks in on his family via Skype several times a week and logs on to Lotsa Helping Hands to see the latest photos of his kids, and send thank you emails to those who are helping his family while he serves our country. He says, " it gives me peace of mind just knowing that we have a good circle of friends and neighbors there who are willing to help out."

Amy says it's a return to the days when a community was truly a community and neighbors and friends cared for one another.

Lotsa Helping Hands isn't just for military families. It was created in 2005 to support family caregivers and volunteers.
In recent months, it's grown in popularity among new parents, religious groups and schools. Amy says, "Everybody knows somebody in need, and this is such a great way to organize people who are interested in helping and to answer that question, what can I do?"

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LOTSA HELPING HANDS