as a good problem?
As I made my way to Northwood this morning, I found myself caught in a line of traffic. There was a mass of people who came to help with the cleanup. And as stressed as I am sure the organizers were with the overload, more than they could accomodate, I can't help but be glad that this was the problem that occured...many people...many people who came to give of their time...many people who came to help out a community...many people who were willing to work hard for those in need. It was a sight that I was glad to see.
After realizing that it wouldn't quite be feasible to work through the volunteer effort being organized from the high school, a group of us headed to where we knew help was needed. We ended up spending our time at Phil's and then worked our way to Rudy's. We battled corn stalks, thorns, etc...to pick up pieces reminding us just how powerful this tornado was. There was a lot of insulation, siding, roof shingles, even a cabinet door, and a yellow slide all spread across the fields. All the other stuff collected was twisted and bent and broken causing it to be unidentifiable scraps. As I worked my way through the fields, I looked up to see a neigborhood where the houses were either missing a part of their roof, missing their second floor, or just completely destroyed and I realized that though this was a great showing of volunteers, I hoped that the giving spirit continues as it is only the beginning for some.
A huge thanks for all of you who showed up today, and let's continue to reach out to those in need.
*Pictures taken from camera phone...
Alicia working hard!
Jess is so strong!
Beginning to collect stuff
Loading a pile we gathered
Caught in the tree
One of the smaller metal piles we collected
4 comments:
great post jenn! great pictures from your camera phone! thank you so much for reminding us that this was just the beginning. we will need to help others for a while, because nappanee community members were really hurt! please keep everyone in your prayers! love you tons and tons and tons!
That is so true. There is usually a big movement in the beginning and then the support sort of dies off as people move on to another cause. I pray that the people in your community continue to feel the support. Thanks to you and the others who worked hard!
Jason
Wasn't that awesome?? I can see why people love to volunteer!! Although, we got quite a bit done...there is still a lot more to do.
my mom just shared her church's mission newsletter with me...and in it was this information. just thought i would share. thanks mom!:
MISSION NEWS
NAPPANEE, NORTH INDIANA RESIDENTS CLEAN UP AFTER TORNADO
Residents of Nappanee and northern Indiana continued this past weekend to clean up after a tornado damaged several hundred homes and businesses in Elkhart and Kosciusko counties.
According to today’s South Bend Tribune, an estimated crowd of 5,000 volunteers were in Nappanee Sunday morning. Fire officials started turning people away at 10:30 a.m. Even as late as 1:30 p.m., when the efficient volunteer work was being completed, people were still driving up, asking where they could go to help. Lines of people, four and five across, stretched for 300 yards, all waiting to get on buses at North Wood High School Sunday.
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