Jenny Smith
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
We own a property that was in the recent tornado’s path. We are very lucky with only a slightly damaged roof, a broken window and downed trees. Still, there was much clean-up in the yard; shingles, insulation, siding and lots of yard debris. As we were cleaning up on Friday after the storm, I noticed many, many volunteers in the neighborhood helping. A construction trailer pulled up from Service International and a half dozen volunteers jumped into action with chain saws and loppers and even a Bobcat! They were from Chesterfield, Missouri. They asked permission to help us, we signed a waiver and off they went. A large tree had fallen against the house. They lifted and pulled it off with the Bobcat, cut it up and helped move all the debris to the front curb. I know there were trailers like this from other disaster aid organizations all around the affected area.
They did the same all around the neighborhood. There was also a group of teenagers that had signed up with the volunteer effect organized from the mall. Many of these young people had AmeriCorp T-shirts.
There was such an outpouring of volunteers all throughout the storm’s path. It was so heart-warming … so many people that showed up to help total strangers! It was like a huge hug. So many places were handing out water and meals. I can’t begin to name them all or thank them enough.
I want to also acknowledge and thank the city workers. They were great. The trucks from JC Parks were everywhere picking up debris.
Such a sad, sad event, but this outpouring of goodwill reinforced my faith in mankind.