The worst tornado in US history since 1953 took so much from Joplin, Missouri. We spent yesterday there with dozens of other volunteers helping serve meals to the thousands of people who have lost their homes, cars, livelihood... basically everything. So much devastation, as far as the eye can see. Homes, businesses and the saddest of all... lives were lost here Sunday when the F-5 tornado ripped through the heart of town. It took the top two floors of a solidly built hospital, those floors held cardiac patients and the NICU wards with the smallest and newest. It took schools and nursing homes and medical clinics. As it blew away walls of homes it took precious memories, pictures and Grandma's china and the wedding dress that was carefully folded and placed in a cedar chest waiting for their daughter to grow up. It took away trees in front yards where kids used to play, the same trees that provided shade for their parents or even grandparents. Joplin was a beautiful small town that was Home Sweet Home to 50,000 people. It was a great place to raise kids and buy a home and grow old. In only a few minutes their world has been turned upside down. You'd expect their spirits to be broken, but they have a strength inside that is amazing. In this close-knit southern town they lean on each other and appreciate any and all kindnesses that they receive. If you'd like to help out, it's as simple as making a donation to the Red Cross or giving blood. Whatever you can give will help them to rebuild their lives.
Crews from Sedalia, Mo. were cooking when we got there at 8 AM.
These folks traveled from Clarksville, Arkansas with a killer rotisserie smoker like they use on Food Network!
You can count on the big hearts of Tyson to open up their wallets when a disaster happens.
Crews from Monett and Noel, Missouri and Rogers, Arkansas came yesterday to help out with the cooking. The people to work a big effort like this are easy to find. They work day shift or night shift, but they make the time to help out.
Thanks to Lowe's Hardware who provided tables, chairs and canopies. Their generosity to the community with donations of supplies will never be forgotten. Home Depot was leveled Sunday night but has plans to rebuild which is great news.
Both Home Depot and Wal-mart have pledged $1million to the residents of Joplin to help recover and rebuild. It's not going to happen overnight, but it WILL happen. Missourians are strong, determined and they don't know the meaning of "quit!"
Good for you and all who are out helping victims and their families. The devastation from tornados and storms, there and throughout the Midwest and the south this spring is overwhelming this year. Prayer continue.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to the citizens of Joplin. God bless you and your fellow volunteers for your tireless efforts. I wish that the national news folks would promote the busineses that were there to help with cleanup and rebuilding. We would then know where to spend our dollars. The Red Cross is one of my favorite organizations. Bless you all.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to see how America works. We help each other! I wish I lived closer so I could physically help. I know I can donate to the Red Cross, but that feels sort of lame.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad but the goodness of people to help is proved over and over again.
ReplyDeleteI never cease to be amazed when such tragedy strikes that so many give even just a little and it can do so much. This was a lovely post! We can all do something to help. Maybe next time it will be our community and others will be helping us.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you for your lovely service.
Joycee,
ReplyDeletethis post gives me cold chills. Thanks for sharing all of the generosity and love that is being showered upon this broken place.
Makes my post today seem quite trite and dumb.
xo, Cheryl
You are such a generous soul... good to see that people are coming out and helping that poor town - Unreal.
ReplyDeleteThis all just breaks my heart...I just hurt for these people. God bless you for helping. We are giving through out church and they are always there at every disaster to help. God less these people.
ReplyDeleteThose poor people. Kudos to people helping!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine that loss and devestation. Good for you Joycee for showing up and showing how much you care. The photos are stunning of the devestation and how proud I am of companies and individuals who step up and help. So glad I can make comments again :). Joni
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to these people. How positively devastating but it is wonderful that you and others like you were there to bring them some comfort. I survived three tornadoes and fondly remember the red cross and their being there.
ReplyDeleteI love that Missouri spirit, it is what is best about America.
ReplyDeleteSo much help flooding in right now from big hearted individuals and companies. It will take a long time to fix this much damage so hopefully Joplin will continue to be blessed for months. The Sedalia and Clarksville cooking crews on this post had tornados in their communities the very next day. Thankfully, their homes escaped damage.
ReplyDeleteWe had a devastating flood here a couple of years ago. Our local hospital was flooded & was out of commission for several months. But when I look at the damage in Joplin, ours seems insignificant! We too were overwhelmed with volunteers. For weeks, meals were prepared & shuttled through the parts of town where people were working to restore their homes. A portible hospital was brought in & set up in the parking lot, with even a tent for emergency surgeries.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to the people of Joplin. Missouri is my home state. Thanks for helping out...just wish I was close enough to join the crowd!