By Roger McKinney
news@joplinglobe.com
JOPLIN, Mo. —
Carissa Briscoe and Blake Loomis say they lost everything in the May 22 tornado.
The engaged Joplin couple said they have worked hard to recover a small amount of what they had before the tornado. “It takes a long time to get back on your feet,” Briscoe said.
On Thursday, they were at the former Dent and Ding Appliance at 3421 N. Main St., where some of the remaining clothes donated to tornado victims from all over the country are being given away.
Briscoe said she had found some shoes and a couple of shirts and pants for herself. They had just begun looking for items for Loomis.
“It’s just really helpful,” Loomis said of the clothing giveaway.
“Joplin is awesome,” Briscoe said.
The clothing giveaway was available from Monday through Thursday to those affected by the tornado. Beginning at 10 a.m. today and through the evening hours, the clothes will be available to everyone.
Carol Brockman, of Joplin, a volunteer coordinator, said she lost her job and her house in the tornado. She said around 8,000 people turned out for a clothing giveaway last summer, but fewer than 500 people had taken part in this one over the previous four days.
Brockman said the turnout may have been relatively low because tornado victims have recovered sufficiently, or possibly because the event wasn’t publicized well enough.
“There is nice stuff,” Brockman said. “It is a lot of love poured out from all over the country.”
An AmeriCorps worker from Denver was assisting her and other volunteers on hand.
“Joplin wouldn’t be where it is today without all these people,” Brockman said.
Brockman had lived at 17th Street and Connecticut Avenue. She said she treasures all the volunteers she has met while volunteering herself since the tornado.
“All this means the world to me,” she said. “The best part has been meeting all the volunteers.”
Jeanne Matlock, of Joplin, lost two businesses in the tornado. She was looking for items while also sorting clothes.
“I found some nice things for my grandsons,” she said. “They’re always outgrowing their clothes. My youngest daughter is pregnant, and I found some baby clothes for her.”
Matlock said she started work at the location on Tuesday, helping find clothes for people in wheelchairs.
John Reitz, of Buffalo, N.Y., was at the warehouse with two other adults and seven young people from St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church in Tonawanda, N.Y. Reitz said the students were spending their spring break in Joplin.
Reitz said he was considering a mission trip for the youth group in October and November, when Joplin came to mind. He said Joplin had been in the news in May and June.
“Then it wasn’t in the news anymore,” Reitz said. “I felt like sometimes people get forgotten. God laid on my heart that we come to Joplin.”
He said the group members traveled from New York in a 12-passenger van, arriving Tuesday night. Wednesday was their first full day of work. They will start their return trip Saturday morning, so the young people can be back in school Monday morning.
Reitz said the group members have been impressed with the people they have met.
“We were kind of taken aback by the resolve of people here,” he said. “Everyone’s friendly and welcoming to us. It means something to them that we’re here. It’s not a cliche.”
Reitz said it’s an important lesson for the young people. He said God put us on Earth firstly for a relationship with him.
“He also put us on Earth for a relationship with our brothers and sisters,” he said. “It’s about serving each other. Whether it’s raking debris from lawns or sorting donated clothes, that’s demonstrating service.”
Going, going ...
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR Carol Brockman said the clothing giveaway may remain open until 7 p.m. or later today. She said the group would like to give away all the clothes on hand.
