Hospitality in the Valley

I have been in many trail towns along the Appalachian Trail, but none have been as friendly as Waynesboro up to this point. Sure most of them have been super friendly, but Waynesboro was full of wonderful people. I hope thru-hikers do not ever give Waynesboro a reason to dislike us.
It began with the list of Trail Angels (people who volunteer their time to provide support for thru-hikers) at the information center. The volunteer there, called an older gentleman to pick us (Hardcore Hiker, Mad Cow, and me) up from the trail and take us into the New Hostel in Waynesboro. Unfortunately, the hostel did not open until 5pm and we got in around 3:30pm. SO, the gentleman offerred to take us anywhere else we desired. We went to the post office and picked up packages before deciding to head for Weasies Kitchen for the Pancake challenge. This gentleman dropped us off and gave us his phone number to call him when we were done and he would pick us back up and take us to the hostel. We didn't even have to call him, he just showed up as we were finishing up and took us to the hostel.
The Grace Lutheran Church in Waynesboro had just opened their church in the evening to house thru-hikers for free. We three were the first guests along with another hiker, Hikerx05. Irma and Woody were the spearheaders of this project and thus the volunteers there to greet us at the door and give us the tour along with the rules. They were great people and we sat for a long period of time chatting with them about the trail and life in general. At one point Irma went and got movies from the library incase we wanted to watch anything that evening. None of us ended up watching TV, but it is the thought that counts. The pastor stopped in and invited us to Vespers as to kick off the Hostel's opening night. It was a nice little service.
The next day, while doing errands, we ran into Tulip & Cheerios (2 hikers doing the trail as continuous day hikes) at the laundromat and they offered us a ride to the outfitters which was about a half mile from the laundromat. They took us there after taking Hardcore Hiker back to CVS to exchange her watch. We were extremely grateful to them as well.
At the Outfitters, Hardcore and I were talking to a guy in line at the checkout and he eventually offerred to pay for Hardcores boot gaiters she was waiting to pay for. We could not believe our fortune that day.
On Wednesday morning, Irma volunteered Woody to go with me to the Greyhound stop in Waynesboro and see about getting me on a bus despite what the Verona, VA gentleman had said about not being able to exchange my ticket. Woody stayed with me until the bus arrived and was sure they were going to let me ride. Then he told the bus driver to take good care of me.
All this friendliness and care from people who hardly knew us. I felt truly blessed and a little sad leaving these great people. Irma agreed to mail my bounce box up the trail for me and I left her with money for that as well as a donation to the church for their hostel services. It was truly a great visit and I hope the Hostel is able to keep going. Best of Luck to the town of Waynesboro. It was truly Hospitality in the Valley as their sign said!