Onset Neighbors Show Kindness to Woman Needing Handicapped Beach Parking

A local woman got quite the outpouring of love from Onset neighbors after sharing that she is having trouble finding parking to bring her disabled son to the beach.

A woman going by the name Hilda Hanx posted in the “Onset, Massachusetts” Facebook group that she was willing to pay someone to allow her to park on their property to get close to Onset Beach.

Onset Beach has three beach wheelchairs it has for people to borrow. The Department of Natural Resources was also recently looking to purchase Mobi Mats to help regular wheelchairs and strollers get across the sand.

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“Can someone please near Onset Beach let me park my small car during the day some days over the summer to bring my disabled kid to the beach? I’ll pay you $50 (per) day,” she wrote. “By the time I drive to the beach there are no spots and I can't afford over $2000 for a week's rental. (It) would just be 11-4 on sunny summer days. Just a small Toyota. Somewhere within two blocks please.”

Many tried to help by informing her that a handicapped plate or placard would get her free parking anywhere down near the beach, but Hilda kept reminding them all that by the time she gets to the beach each day, there are no spots left – handicapped or otherwise.

As anyone who has been to Onset Beach on a sunny summer day knows, you have to be there early or parking can be tough.

Onset residents and business owners know it too, and they immediately responded with a flurry of generous offers.

Stephen Beranger is the owner of Stevie B’s, the sports bar on Onset Avenue that permanently closed in October 2021. He was one of the first to offer up a parking spot for Hilda and her son.

“You’re more than welcome to park at Stevie B’s for free while the property is not being used,” he wrote. “Just message me with your information so I know who you are.”

Pastor Dave Ferrari also offered up a spot.

“The Bridge Church would be available to you as well. Let me know if we can help,” he wrote.

About a dozen residents also offered to let Hilda park in their driveway or in front of their homes in order to utilize the beach, with most just asking for her to let them know in advance when she’d be parking there so they know it’s her.

The most heartwarming part about it was that even though Hilda was offering $50 per day to allow her to park, everyone that said she could park on their property said she could do it for free.

One gentleman even took it a step further.

“If you find a parking spot maybe one day I could take you and your son for a cruise to see the bridges in my boat,” Jason wrote.

Others commenting in the thread just wanted to express how much they appreciated the kind responses to Hilda’s request.

“I just love the people in Onset,” Dawn wrote.

“Onset residents are AWESOME!” Carolyn wrote.

“This thread gives me back a little faith in humanity,” Wendy wrote.

“Such kind people in Onset – and I know there are more elsewhere too – but it takes a situation like this to showcase it,” Jan wrote. “In our stressful world, it’s so refreshing to read this!”