Granny Mountain

A lot of people raised their hand to help last week after the worst tornado in six decades bore down on our neighbors to the north Joplin, Missouri. Hundreds homeless and without any shelter or food, the storms kept coming, one after the other. The towns' siren would wail, yet there was no place to go. Except for neighbors who reached out and opened their heart and their homes. From every corner of the world we hurt for them. We sit in our living rooms watching on TV and our hearts broke for their loss of life, home, everything. But America did what Americans do best, we joined hands and resources to help. Even if we couldn't be there to help dig out from the rubble we could do something.

The Red Cross is the first to come, ready and able they set up in the midst of a disaster with volunteers who provide support, comfort and lifesaving blood.

This semi from Michigan's Duro-Last Roofing was loaded with food, diapers, water and other supplies.

Tide set up their Loads of Hope trailers to allow victims a place to wash their dirty clothes, such a blessing for the many who only had the clothes on their backs or clothes that have been given to them.

Convoy of Hope, a faith based organization rushes food and water to the Joplin area.

Tyson Foods organized cook crews and served meals.

Operation BBQ Relief, a large group of competition BBQ Teams brought their professional smokers and proceeded to turn out thousands of delicious meals for the weary tornado victims.

All across the state of Missouri and the nation drives were organized, trucks were loaded and much needed supplies were rushed to Joplin.

No amount was too small to give, every dollar would help.

The hardest job of all, going through the rubble, the clean-up. The families search for anything that can be salvaged. It may look like garbage, but there was once a home there that held pictures and memories.  

Thousands of downed lines to repair, but first the tangle of trees have to be removed. Nothing happens fast, there are days and days of extremely hard work.

Everywhere you look are volunteers trying to provide the necessities of life... a warm meal, clean clothes, a hug.

Today the Johnsonville Brats Company will have the world’s largest grill at Sam’s Club in Joplin cooking and giving away 12,000 brats! They'll be handing out free Gatorade, water, basic apparel, comfort kits, personal hygiene items, bedding, etc.  Free to the Public.. no Membership required. It's a small thing to offer a meal to someone who is hurting, but sometimes... it's the biggest gesture of all.

*On Facebook Joplin Tornado Critical Information has many opportunities to help.