GULFPORT, Fla. — When Melissa Loven returned to her Gulfport crystal business after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, she knew her entire store would need to be rebuilt.
But, she also saw an opportunity to give back to others.
The week after Milton made landfall, Loven began taking the remaining inventory from Qi Crystal Energy and putting it outside for strangers. The crystals, gems and stones were then available for anyone to take for free.
"Why not?" Loven said with a laugh when asked why she decided to give the little she had left away.
Loven also lost her home, car and most of her possessions during the storms.
"This is my journey," Loven said of her shop. "This is what I'm meant to do."
All week, people have been picking up Loven's items and treasuring them as gifts.
Loven said she plans to re-open her store once she is able to.
"It's my life," she said.