As most of you have heard by now, a tornado hit Caledonia on Monday Nov. 22nd.
What you might not know about is the volunteer DISASTER - CLEAN UP - AID
organized by Immanuel Lutheran Church of Belvidere. Later in that week I got an e-mail from the Candlewick Pride that alerted me to the fact that there was a volunteer effort underway, and if interested, to report to the church office in Countryside Mall. I did on that Friday morning. When I arrived there and registered, I found it was very well organized and saw many people from Candlewick, we were well represented.
That morning, we were sent to Centerville Rd, and spent all day clearing downed trees, and clearing fields and property of roofing, metal siding, and various pieces of homes and barns. On Saturday we spent the day in the town itself, again clearing trees and property.
On both days, the church provided lunch at the fire station for the volunteers and any residents affected by the storm, they even had a puppet show for the kids. The small township office is gone, there was damage to a grain silo, and many homes and buildings. As of last update, there were a total of 92 volunteers that took the time to help and even though much was done, I'm sure there are still many after clean up issues to be dealt with.
It was a great feeling to help in some way, and see people come together.