Tornado survivors celebrated Good Friday by serving in the community
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo., (KBSI) — People observed the religious holiday Good Friday by volunteering to help with ongoing storm damage clean-up from the EF-3 tornado that hit Butler County in March.
The Edington family in Poplar Bluff is one of the many families who were directly impacted by the tornado.
Today was the second day Samaritan’s Purse volunteers came to the Edington’s home – removing tree branches piled on the roof and cutting up the multitude of downed trees that damaged their roof, pool house, shed and other external buildings.
Butler County Emergency Management Agency encouraged more people to come out and volunteer in the community as a way to observe Good Friday.
Local resident Preston Moore has been volunteering with Samaritan’s Purse for two weeks. He said serving the community today felt extra meaningful.
“My family is Christian, so just knowing what Jesus did for us on Good Friday kind of makes us want to come out here and serve the community,” he said. “God has really blessed us. So, you know, we like to get back out in the community and bless others the way we’ve been blessed.”
The homeowner receiving help, Tami Edington has been preparing for Easter while dealing with the ongoing recovery from the mid-March tornado.
Yesterday she received a bible from the group which the volunteers signed for her.
“You know, today’s Good Friday, and it’s going to make me cry because it’s just really, it means — it means so much,” she said.
Edington said dealing with the storm damage has felt overwhelming – still she feels blessed to have a good roof over her head and the help of the volunteers.
“They asked me yesterday what I would like prayed for on my behalf and I said just to pray for the people that are not as lucky as we are, and as fortunate,” she said. “There were a lot in our community and surrounding communities that have really sustained, you know, life changing events.”
Samaritan’s Purse will be in the area for another week. Program manager John Schultz said that date could be extended depending on the needs of the community.
