Project #11

On February 23, a group of High School students traveled to Prattville Alabama to assist with the cleanup of the tornado that recently hit the city. The group included Caroline Morris, Kim Krubinski, Mallorie Gray, Josh Harris, Alan Buckelew, Jonathan Prince, Drake Fowler, Dean Fowler, Robin Bird, Tom Bird, Chris Martin, and Gregg Gray.

The group went door to door, offering assistance to the devastated community. A total of seven homeowners were helped with tasks such as carrying debris to the street for pickup, loading trucks with household property, raking yards and bagging garbage. A unique cleanup effort at one house was the assembly line formed from the house to the street to move a pile of bricks (formerly the side of the house) – from hand to hand, one brick at a time. Many homeowners declined help, but all were grateful that someone cared. When speaking with one elderly couple, we asked what they were doing during the storm. The lady explained that they were huddled in their hallway, praying to God to take care of them and their neighbors. Most all homeowners expressed how “blessed” they were not to be injured in the disaster. Many felt God’s shield of protection during the storm – there were no fatalities and very few injuries – a true miracle to anyone who witnessed this destroyed community.

We kept finding springs in one backyard and later found the trampoline where the springs came from – in the top of a tree a block away. One homeowner had two storage sheds in their backyard – neither of which belonged to them. There was a huge, 30 foot support beam skewering some swimming pool filter equipment – no one knew its origin. Tom Bird saw some computers in a swimming pool and almost went scuba diving for them (not on purpose). Please continue to keep this community in your prayers as the people rebuild their lives. - Gregg Gray