Volunteering in Joplin: "Something I will never forget'

Having been out of school for about eight days when the devastating tornado struck Joplin on May 22, Brooke Micke had no real plans for her summer other than working, talking part in The Little Theater's production of "Hairspray" and the obligatory time with friends and at the pool.

Sitting in Arizona with her family when the word of the May 22 tornado spread on Facebook, Micke and her family scrambled to locate an aunt who lived just a few miles from the heart of the tornado's path.

A week later, back at home in Jefferson City - having long learned her family was safe - Micke found herself convincing her parents to let her drive back down to Joplin, following her aunt, so she could volunteer for a few days.