The people of Greensburg have come together - not just to rebuild their town - but to rebuild Greensburg as a model green community following the May 2007 tornado. Read more about this program by following this link.
Reaching Out Is Reaching In - My personal experience with disaster recovery
Click here to see Greensburg slide show.
There is nothing like a natural disaster to cause people to draw together. In my experience, when societal structures and the norms of modern lifestyles are stripped away and broken down by raging wind and rain and water, the One Spirit that lives in all of us shines through at its brightest. After the recent hurricanes in Florida, I experienced this “Spirit Zone,” as strangers and friends helped me and I helped them. Judgments, fears and hesitations were replaced with compassion, trust and willingness to share supplies, labor, and stories.
The residents of Greensburg, Kansas, working in the aftermath of the F5 tornado that destroyed 95% of the town on May 4, 2007, were no exception. Upon hearing the news of the destruction, we hastily organized a trip to what was left of the town of Greensburg. We put out the word, asking for donations for the displaced residents and pets. We received clothing, toys, personal hygiene supplies, food for people and pets, and money. Several people thanked us for allowing them the opportunity to help those in need. I remember thinking, what a lovely feeling to be the conveyor of compassion.
On the outskirts of Greensburg, a road block was in place, in order to keep out looters and on lookers. The identification card from the Alliance of Divine Love and the NorthStar Center for Peace sign taped inside the window allowed us to go on through the road block with a wave and a smile. The initial sight of the town was shocking, even though we have seen pictures on TV and the internet. We had to stop and take it in for a moment as thoughts of what these people had experienced played through our minds. The town was reduced to rubble with only 5% of the buildings remaining in tact. We were amazed that only 10 people had lost their lives in the massive destruction.
The town was for the most part deserted; however, we did find some people to spend time with. Mrs. Rose, a 75 year old diabetic, sat in her car while her children searched through what they could of her destroyed home. With a casual wave, she said “We’re just like newlyweds, my husband and me, we’ll just start over.” The Shank family, who lived in a Craftsman house on Main St. for 27 years, were combing through the rubble looking for their grandmothers quilt, a trumpet, a logbook and a wedding ring. They were cheerful and in very good humor in spite of the fact that their home had been completely leveled. We had a nice cookout right there, in the midst of the destruction, beside their destroyed home. They all were able to get recharged a bit by the nourishment as well as resting, laughing and kidding with us and each other. There were others there also and we made deliveries of clothing and toys to the Mennonite donation trailer and food, hygiene products and pet food to the Scientologists donation tent. Both were there to assist residents as well as other volunteers and workers. The same generosity was extended to everyone. The residents that we talked to and worked with expressed the grace of acceptance, optimistic resiliency and an undaunted sense of perseverance.
The most touching moment happened while talking to a young woman working at a building supply store in Pratt, Kansas, the nearest town to Greensburg. We were trying to get the right parts for our chainsaw and she kept coming over from the paint department to help us. We started talking and she told us about how she lived through a similar situation in 1991 when she was 11 years old and a tornado destroyed their house. Tears welled up in her eyes and she said, “I’m so glad you’re going to help them. It’s really so nice that someone cares.” We hugged and she let out a big sigh, smiled, and waved goodbye.
While we reach out - we reach in - to find the Spirit of Love that connects us all.
In the Greatest Degree of Love,
North Star Center for Peace,
An Alliance of Divine Love Affiliate
Click here to see Greensburg slide show.
