From the Paris Junior College softball team finding a lost engagement ring while clearing debris after a tornado on November 4th to countless efforts by locals to help their neighbors, Lamar The county’s resilience couldn’t be more evident.
I couldn’t be more proud to live in a community that gives and gives, both financially and by giving generously of time and effort to help those in need.
This spirit of volunteerism must remain strong in the coming months as our affected neighbors rebuild their lives.
Lamar County Sheriff Scott Cass offered a heartfelt thank you at last week’s emergency committee, days after the storm.
“Thank you to law enforcement, EMS, dispatchers, all the volunteer fire departments that rushed to the scene, and all the citizens that responded,” Cass said. “People opened their houses to help their neighbors, and the morning after the storm people came out to help clean up.”
Local churches and organizations shortly after the tornado passed. The American Red Cross, Lamar County Emergency Management Agency, City Square Paris and others have initiated steps to provide shelter, food and clothing to those affected.
Since then, these organizations have continued to provide necessary information to those affected, as well as food to those who support cleanup efforts.
As time goes on, this community effort will continue to be needed to help our neighbors recover some of their losses and begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
“This is about God,” said Jenny Wilson, executive director of the Lamar County United Way, during last week’s campaign final briefing after reporting that this year’s campaign exceeded its $575,000 goal by $100,000. said.
“It’s a godsend that we went above and beyond our target as we now have additional funding to support this community.
It is truly God’s work to provide for His people through His grace, even when storms come upon us.
Mary Madewell is a staff writer for The Paris News. You can contact her at 903-785-6976 or mary.madewell@theparisnews.com. Her column will be published on Sunday.
