Neighbors helping neighbors is what it’s all about
By Ginna Young
While Wisconsin was busy having a foot and a half of wet, heavy snow dropped on the state Dec. 11, portions of the southern part of the country received severe weather in the form of tornados. One such tornado was on the ground for at least 163 miles in Kentucky, with the destruction a mile wide and 190 mph winds from the EF4 tornado.
Thousands lost homes and businesses, along with more than 75 people killed. Cadott resident Jake Anderson, of Anderson Moving, knew he and his family had to do something to help the people in need. To that end, he asked for community support to collect food and toiletry items, blankets and clothing, which he later delivered to Mayfield, Ky.
Anderson provided one of his own moving trucks to haul the donations, as well as a Lake Hallie U-Haul trailer, to take the estimated more than 700 pounds of items.
“Unfortunately, we had to turn some donors away, because we were full,” said Anderson. “We appreciate all of you and couldn’t have done this without you.”
The delivery of the 20-foot truck and full trailer were not even underway, when Cadott’s nearby neighbor, Stanley, was hit with an EF2 tornado of their own. The tornados that hit Wisconsin Dec. 15, were the first recorded to touchdown in the state, in 51 years, and while not dispersing as widespread destruction, there were some homes and businesses demolished in Stanley.
Again, the neighboring communities jumped into action to help those devastated by the tornado.
Cadott School District cook Nicole Jessick was one who worked hard to raise money when Cadott was hit by a tornado in 2020. So, when her sister, Tricia, lost the majority of her home in Stanley, over the last week, the school knew it was time to give back.
A candy cane sale was held at the school, where teachers brought in the sweet treats for students to purchase in the junior high and high school, with all the proceeds given to the Stanley family.
“While we can’t all go to help Stanley clean up in this disaster, we can help one family,” said teacher Dalann Hartmann.
The giving didn’t stop there, as Cadott Police Officer Daryl Pries/WIAA basketball referee was surprised to learn Dec. 17, when he reported for his referee duties in Medford. There, friends of Pries from Owen-Withee, known as Will Power fundraising, asked the crowd to donate for the Stanley tornado relief, since Pries’ family runs a business in the hard-hit area.
During the game, a brief history of Pries was told and his connection to Stanley. Then began a “miracle minute,” which runs the game clock for one minute, in which time, the students and parents collect money for a cause.
“They raised $800 in one minute,” said Pries. “I was in total shock.”
Pries was in the locker room at the time, preparing for the second half and was unaware the miracle minute even happened, but he addressed the crowd and thanked them, on behalf of the Stanley community.
Cornell also did what they could to help the relief efforts, by a donation drive at the high school, sponsored by the Cornell Spirit Club. In just one day, Dec. 17, blankets and toiletry items were already piled high in the commons area, waiting to be delivered to Stanley.
Holcombe also pitched in for their neighbors in Stanley, raising money from the 50/50 raffle during the ballgames Dec. 17, with the proceeds going toward the relief efforts. The winner of the raffle at the end of the night donated their share to the tornado funds, while some from the area, including the Cornell Area Fire Department, assisted Stanley with cleanup and traffic control.
For now, Stanley officials say they have collected enough clothing and toiletry items, and ask anyone who still wishes to help, to donate monetarily, so people can purchase what is needed.
Although the events of the last couple weeks were hard to see and experience, the communities stepping in to bring balance back to lives, were the shining light in the midst of the darkness – just in time for Christmas.
“It is amazing to see how our small communities come together to help each other when they are in need,” said Pries.
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Cadott Police Officer/WIAA referee Daryl Pries (standing by the ESPN sign) was surprised with an on-the-spot fundraiser Dec. 17, at a game he officiated in Medford. The $800 that was collected in one minute’s time, was given toward tornado relief efforts in Stanley. Submitted Photo[/caption]
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Once Jake Anderson arrived in Kentucky, he was sent to eight different places, before finally dispersing the collected items at three drop-off locations. For now, Mayfield, Ky., has enough donations and volunteers, but encourages people to reach out if they want to help, by calling 270-883-0072 (donations), or 270-216-0903 (volunteers). “We had the opportunity to drive through the destruction and meet some of the locals,” said Anderson. “Although there was so much destruction and devastation, the locals and all the wonderful volunteers were very friendly, positive and appreciative.” Submitted Photo[/caption]
