Sunset Hills Tornado Survivors 'Pay it Forward' in Joplin, City Leader Says

When the Joplin tornado hit, like many people, I was glued to the television in disbelief.   

I would change channels looking for better news, but there was none. 

What happened in our community on New Year’s Eve has affected us all in many ways. I promise you I will never hesitate like I did before, to take heed when I hear a tornado siren. 

Even with all our devastation and changed lives, there is no way to fathom what the people of Joplin are going through now.

However, in the middle of it all, I’m reminded of what a wonderful community Sunset Hills truly is. 

My phone started ringing and I was receiving emails. Not from people complaining or upset, but from residents wanting to help the people in Joplin. They were remembering how their neighbors from all over Sunset Hills came to their aid when they needed it most, after the EF3 struck our city just a few months back. 

Several people wanted to “get in their car and drive…they need to know they will survive this and they will be okay.” Others asked the best way to send money. I kept hearing: “We know what they need, we’ve been through this”.

Then, it all became clear to me. 

I called the people who had rushed to our aid and helped organize our volunteer efforts, Service International. The operations people were quick to say they needed Gatorade, granola bars, water and tarps. 

Our city's GO Committee had been emailing back and forth that day, as well.  We all agreed …we needed a truck and a driver.  

Mrazek Moving came to mind. They had provided storage “pods” to various residents after the tornado here and also provided storage for our collections for storm victims. That was an easy phone call. The only question Mrazek had for me was: “How big of a truck do you need?” Thus, we had an 18-wheeler in the parking lot of the Community Center which was nearly full and left for Joplin that Friday.

I must mention that the first tarps, water, Gatorade and granola bars were donated by residents living on Court Drive and West Watson. 

Additionally, there is a group from the New Year’s Eve tornado survivors going to Joplin to cook for the relief workers in a couple days. They are compelled to put their lives on hold for just a little while to help those who are suffering great loss.

This is the best example of “Paying it Forward” that I have ever seen. Thanks to you all.

Alderwoman Dee Baebler represents Ward 1 in Sunset Hills, the city's area most devastated by a New Year's Eve EF3 tornado. She was elected in April after a one-year appointment on the Board of Aldermen.