In the News - February 2008
Arkansas 4-H'ers put heads, hands, hearts to work for tornado victims
ATKINS, Ark. - A week after images of the twister-wrecked Union Grove church
disappeared from the national media, the ruins were still very real for members
of the Krazy Kritters 4-H Club of nearby Pottsville.
Club leader Laura Clark marshaled six other club leaders and nine 4-H members
to help Atkins take the hard initial steps to recovery after the February 5
tornado that wrought damage across the state, said Pope County Extension Agent
Alicia Henderson. 4-H is a youth development program offered by the University
of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
"Most of us went to a house across from the Union Grove church and picked up
the insulation and debris that was in that yard and field," Clark said. "The
older boys helped at the Union Grove church most of the time."
After a lunch break, some of the club headed down Arkansas 105 south
searching for other ways to help.
"We stopped at a house that looked like they could use some help," she said.
"We helped them carry debris to the side of the road for pick up and then we
went across the road and piled up debris to be burned."
"I am so proud of my 4-H'ers and the parents that came out," Clark said.
"They worked hard the whole time and never complained. They just wanted to help
in any way possible."
In neighboring Yell County, Extension Agent Casey Scarborough's 4-H'ers were
busy providing relief, collecting and delivering much-needed items to Pope
County.
"We've taken water over, household cleaners, shampoo, toothpaste,
toothbrushes, toilet paper," she said.
The clubs will continue collecting relief items through Friday, February 22.
Scarborough said donations may be made to the Yell County extension offices at
both Dardanelle and Danville between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Clothing is no longer
being accepted for donation, she said.
Benton County 4-H'ers are also collecting needed items for victims in Pope
County. Benton County was one of the counties reporting twisters in January.
Extension Agent Jessica Street and her 4-H'ers will be delivering the items on
Feb. 25.
In Baxter County, where Gassville suffered extensive damage, 4-H'ers were
also working to provide for basic needs.
"The 4-H'ers were assembling comfort kits, with washcloths, soap, deodorant
and other toiletries, all packaged in gallon-sized zip-top bags," said Baxter
County Extension Agent Billie Majors.
February was the second straight month 4-H'ers pitched in for disaster
relief. Tornadoes and high winds that accompanied a strong cold front Jan. 8-9,
also caused damage across the state.
Among the casualties was the home Gary Norwood of Pettus was trying to build.
Norwood's brother passed away last summer, leaving four children orphaned. Gary
and his wife, Donna, needed a larger home for the larger family. Little Rock TV
station KARK has been encouraging viewers to help the Norwoods.
Lonoke County extension agent Keith Perkins said the Norwoods' story inspired
one of his 4-H'ers - a sixth-grader.
"Makhala B. gave a talk at her church and raised $250 for the Norwood
family," he said.
Last month, the Pope County Teen Club delivered food and water to families
affected by a tornado that hit the Appleton area, killing one person.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of
Agriculture.
February 15, 2008
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialists
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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