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News > Roscoe Reaches out to Alabama
Roscoe Reaches out to Alabama
By Debra Jensen-DeHart Beloit Daily News, Wednesday, May 11, 2011
ROSCOE - On April 27, tornadoes ripped through the South, taking lives and devastating property in four states, including Alabama. The recovery will take time, but people in need of supplies for daily living can’t wait weeks or months. With that in mind, members of Roscoe’s United Methodist Church, the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department and others in the community have begun an Alabama Disaster Recovery Drive.It all began when a member of the church had a conversation with a generous Roscoe business owner (who prefers to remain anonymous), said Don Dexheimer, church staff member of outreach programs. “His heart was touched by the people of Alabama.” The businessman said he would donate a trailer for collection of needed supplies if the church would organize the drive, Dexheimer explained. “We said ‘yes’ and that we wanted to do it with the community.”
The trailer is parked in front of the United Methodist Church at 10816 Main Street, Roscoe. Groups, individuals, and businesses can donate items
during the day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday until 4 p.m., Dexheimer
said.
The Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department, located just down the block from the church, also was asked if it would participate, said Chief Don Shoevlin. The department is helping out in a support role, he said. “We put up a sign for them and if they get a big rush and need people to help load we’ll do that, Shoevlin said. Firefighters also have donated to the drive. “We were pretty
fortunate with our weather in April. Alabama was unfortunate. If we can help them, why not?” Shoevlin said.
Dexheimer said they made contact with people in Alabama and asked what they needed. “We have shopping lists,” he said. As the trailer gets filled, boxes are picked up and placed in a larger truck. A driver will then transport the supplies to a destination in Alabama. The truck, driver, and fuel are all donated courtesy of the Roscoe businessman, Dexheimer said.
What were the results?
The trailer was placed in front of the Roscoe United Methodist Church Monday afternoon, May 9. The Harlem- Roscoe Fire Department contacted the media about the Alabama Disaster Recovery Drive that day. News of the drive was reported in newspapers, on radio, and television. Even before the trailer was parked people started bringing items for Alabama. By the end of the week the semi-trailer was full with paper and plastic items, non-perishable food, personal hygiene, and other items such as can openers, work gloves, detergents, and batteries. On Monday, May 16, the trailer was driven by Bill Porter and Jeff Henrey to the disaster distribution center at Alabaster, Alabama (Birmingham area). After the
trailer was unloaded the logistics people in Alabama asked Bill Porter to haul a load of supplies to Decatur, Alabama, on his way back to Roscoe, IL. In
addition to all the items that were donated for the trailer, people gave money.
That money, amounting to $33,595, was sent to the St. Andrews United Methodist Church of Cullman, Alabama.
Handy Guys Help A small group at Roscoe United Methodist Church called Heaven’s Handy Guys did a project for a couple and received $500. They promptly gave the $500 for the items pictured going into the trailer.Stories of giving
There were many wonderful stories of people and groups giving to help the people of Alabama. The local fire department helped. Churches helped. People without church affiliation helped. It was a wonderful experience of the community coming together to help people who suffered from a natural disaster.
One story is of the Kindergarten class at St. Peter Catholic School in
South Beloit, IL, collected $174.49 during Lent for a good cause. The class
decided the people of Alabama were a good cause and donated the money for items given to the trailer going to Alabama.
An retired electric lineman had spent 2 weeks helping in Alabama before
coming to the trailer with a donation of items. He told the people at the trailer that in Alabama there was broken glass all over and people in Alabama were walking around in flip flops. There was a need for shoes. By the time the
trailer left a generous man had donated 2,000 pairs of new shoes. In addition, 3 new generators were donated to help with recovery.
One woman, who was concerned about babies, came to the trailer with 12
cases of diapers. A couple came with their donation and told how one of their relatives in Alabama was lost after the tornado. The family prayed for her and she was found alive several days later. The couple wanted to give out of thanks that their relative was alive.
A couple drove 45 miles from Mount Morris, IL, and asked for the way to
the Wal-Mart store. They went to the store purchased $500 of items and brought them to the trailer.
Christine texted several friends that she was working the trailer, within an hour, they were there with bags of groceries. Friends were so quick to help out! Strangers are quick to help out also! Christine really felt God's love in the community. God is with us all the time! One woman gave a case of water and $5. It was a stretch for her, and she was very pleased to give
something. People REALLY are good and REALLY want to help others. Don Dexheimer was so eager to give that he gave his cookies, meant for Disciple class. Fortunately we were able to rescue them so the class could enjoy them!
The Alabama people were glad to see our trailer which was in boxes on pallets unlike some of the shipments they received.
Trailer partly loaded: