Area stepped up to help storm victims

A week ago today, we thanked all of the partners in our area who fundraise and volunteer their time with local efforts to support St. Jude.

We didn’t know, but should have, that we would be thanking our community again, this time for stepping up to help the tornado victims of Kentucky.

On the night of what is believed to be the longest tornado damage path in history, area residents were already rallying to raise donations of money and supplies for the victims.

Trucks filled with supplies left Poplar Bluff on Dec. 10, as well as Monday. These were the first of what will be multiple trips, as residents continue to donate and look for ways to help.

People have dropped off packages of diapers and warm coats. One woman at the Dexter Walmart paid for the entire Footsteps purchase of supplies on Dec. 10, which was over $5,000.

“God comes out in people when something like this happens,” Rick Wirz, director of Footsteps, told the Daily American Republic.

“Poplar Bluff never lets me down,” said the Rev. Greg Kirk of United Gospel Rescue Mission.

Please keep the residents of these tornado-damaged communities in your thoughts and prayers as we move forward. The initial rush from the country to respond and help has been amazing, but their recovery will take years, if not decades, as we know only too well after experiencing our own devastating tornadoes and floods.

Thank you to everyone who has helped now, to those who have led the effort, and to those who will still be by these victims’ sides as they rebuild their communities.