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Omaha Rapid Response volunteers are helping families in Enid, Oklahoma, recover after an EF-4 tornado struck more than a week ago, injuring 10 people and destroying 40 homes. Immediately following the storms, Omaha Rapid Response Organizer Ken Gruber organized volunteers to help aid in the clean-up process, making the 400-mile trip south.“A lot of people were affected by it. It was easy to get people to come down here within 24 hours. You know, we were talking to people, and the people down here said, yes, please come down. We need your support,” Gruber said.The team, which includes dozens of volunteers, has been working in Enid since the tornado hit. Organizer Ken Gruber said additional volunteers are arriving Sunday night.“We got some more people coming in from Nebraska, actually, from Elkhorn tonight. My team right here consists of a number of people from Nebraska,” Gruber said. For Gruber and many of the Nebraska natives, the mission is deeply personal. “This tornado hit just within two days of our anniversary on the 26th of April, two years ago,” he said. Gruber said the focus is on building relationships with those affected by the disaster as they aid in recovery.“It’s been overwhelming. We’ve had a lot of support. The guys from Rapid Response were here the next day and kind of coordinating where we were going to go with the plan,” said Valerie Jantz, who lost his home to the storm. Matthew Jantz and his wife, Valerie, are now working with the Omaha team to begin rebuilding their lives. Valerie took cover with their pets as the storm took out their home. Matthew, an EMT, was aiding with storms in nearby areas.“We’re so lucky that they’re out here helping,” Valerie Jantz said. Gruber said the team’s work is far from over. “We’re going to meet with some other people that have damage this afternoon and tomorrow and see what we need to do for them,” Gruber said. “All it takes is time. We are always in it for the long haul.”Click this link to learn more about donating or volunteering with Omaha Rapid Response.
Omaha Rapid Response volunteers are helping families in Enid, Oklahoma, recover after an EF-4 tornado struck more than a week ago, injuring 10 people and destroying 40 homes.
Immediately following the storms, Omaha Rapid Response Organizer Ken Gruber organized volunteers to help aid in the clean-up process, making the 400-mile trip south.
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“A lot of people were affected by it. It was easy to get people to come down here within 24 hours. You know, we were talking to people, and the people down here said, yes, please come down. We need your support,” Gruber said.
The team, which includes dozens of volunteers, has been working in Enid since the tornado hit. Organizer Ken Gruber said additional volunteers are arriving Sunday night.
“We got some more people coming in from Nebraska, actually, from Elkhorn tonight. My team right here consists of a number of people from Nebraska,” Gruber said.
For Gruber and many of the Nebraska natives, the mission is deeply personal.
“This tornado hit just within two days of our anniversary on the 26th of April, two years ago,” he said.
Gruber said the focus is on building relationships with those affected by the disaster as they aid in recovery.
“It’s been overwhelming. We’ve had a lot of support. The guys from Rapid Response were here the next day and kind of coordinating where we were going to go with the plan,” said Valerie Jantz, who lost his home to the storm.
Matthew Jantz and his wife, Valerie, are now working with the Omaha team to begin rebuilding their lives. Valerie took cover with their pets as the storm took out their home. Matthew, an EMT, was aiding with storms in nearby areas.
“We’re so lucky that they’re out here helping,” Valerie Jantz said.
Gruber said the team’s work is far from over.
“We’re going to meet with some other people that have damage this afternoon and tomorrow and see what we need to do for them,” Gruber said. “All it takes is time. We are always in it for the long haul.”
Click this link to learn more about donating or volunteering with Omaha Rapid Response.
