After shock and grief in Pilger comes the hard work of cleanup, but volunteers flock to town to help

Omaha World Herald ^ | 06/19/2014 | Kate Howard Perry

[NEMDF]

PILGER, Neb. — Shock and grief gave way to hard work Wednesday in Pilger as crews began removing what the tornado left behind.

Only about 350 people live in the town where an estimated 80 percent of buildings were leveled or damaged beyond repair Monday.

But on Wednesday — the first day people other than residents were allowed into the affected areas — 1,800 people registered as volunteers and came to lend a hand. Some came with no connection to the town, but many others were family and friends of Pilger residents, or neighbors who had been spared.

[NEMDF]

1,800 people showed up to help with the cleanup.

[thackney]

http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/2014/06/18/salvation-army-continues-disaster-relief-operations-in-pilger-ne/

[NEMDF]

Thank you. The Salvation Army is good.

[Fedupwithit]

That's what conservative minded people do...help out their neighbor when times get tough. Not sit around on their fat asses like in NJ and LA, waiting for the Government Mommy to come and offer them a teat to suckle on while everyone else is chastised for not doing anything...

Not like the 'Dickhead in Chief' will mobilize any serious relief efforts for a state doesn't toe the liberal line.

Sorry, I'm in a ranting mood today...

[Paco]

This is how it's done in "fly over country." If you wait for the government to pitch in, forget it.

Prayers and thoughts to the victims and families. Proud to be a Nebraskan.

[redgolum]

Grew up in Dodge County, and we played Wisner-Pilger in football.

My church out here is sending supplies and people (probably there now) to clean up and rebuild St. Johns Lutheran.

[NEMDF]

That is great that your church is helping.

For volunteers coming from Omaha, they were supposed to be there at 7 a.m. yesterday, and it would be at least an hour and a half drive, then the temp was in the mid-90s, very humid. Pretty uncomfortable for wearing work boots, gloves, and jeans. Blessings to those who are helping with this.

[redgolum]

I’m in Davenport, Iowa, but I think the crew left last night.

We have a group of retired gentleman (and a Comfort Dog) who do this. I saw them loading up the trailer as I picked up my oldest daughter last night.

[leapfrog0202]

So glad to hear this!

[matt04]

What’s wrong with them. Don’t they know they are supposed to wait for FEMA to arrive to help? /s

[Newtoidaho]

Obozo would have showed up except there are no good golf courses nearby.