Our partner in education school, Chaffin Jr. High’s National Junior Honor Society did a disaster relief drive for the victims of the EF4 tornado that ripped through the Vilonia & Mayflower communities. They decided to take donations for anything the victims needed. From blankets to trash-bags, dog food, deodorant, you name it. Truth be told, if we take it for granted, these families needed it. We were able to fill up the entire truck bed & back seat of a full size GMC Sierra with donations to contribute to the drive.
We also thought it would be a kind gesture to give our Free Gas Friday gas card to the relief effort. The effected areas of Mayflower & Vilonia are about 2 hours down I-40 from Fort Smith and we thought donating the gas card would help to get the donations to the victims. It was Alyssa’s idea and it was a great idea in my opinion.
Here’s a video from the weather channel that was taken right on Interstate 40. It gives just a glimpse of the destruction to those towns effected by this massive EF-4 tornado.
EF-4 Tornado damage I-40 Mayflower AR
Many people from that community have been quoted as saying, “everything’s gone”. That is a heartbreaking statement. Quite tragically, the Vilonia middle school was near completion after the last tornado in 2011 took out the old one. Twelve million dollars, three years and one tornado later the kids of this community are left without a middle school once again.
It’s moving hearing the stories of those who have been to help or have sent help. It’s one thing to talk the talk, and to see everyone band together and walk the walk makes me feel great about being an Arkansan. (I always feel great about that, but it’s another confirmation I’m right! 🙂 )
Check out our Free Gas Friday video starring the Chaffin Jr High National Junior Honor Society sponsor, the awesome, Ms. Auten:
If you would like to help but can’t find a place to give or make it out with a volunteer group you can still donate $10 by texting the message, “REDCROSS” to 90999.
Thanks for all the prayers for Arkansas. ♥