After a tornado caused extensive damage to Ruston, Louisiana on April 25, several El Dorado residents came together to offer help to the community.
One of the residents was Kelly Wilson who collected food and bottled water that she drove down to Ruston’s mayor.
“When I heard the news, I started praying,” Wilson said. “But it wasn’t really something I just wanted to pray about. I wanted to do something.”
Wilson reached out to Immanuel Baptist Church of El Dorado, her home chuch, and was able to use it as a collection point. The church and Wilson herself reached out to the community via Facebook, saying that people could bring items such as water, dry goods and instant coffee the next morning.
“We had not a huge influx of people who came, but the people who did brought lots of items,” she said. “And lots of water, of course, which was a huge need. I was really thankful for those who did come. I know another man was going the next day with supplies.”
She said they collected water and gatorade. Wilson said one woman brought a bunch of cups, plates, paper goods, rice and Rice-A-Roni. Another brought bread, peanut butter and jelly.
“We think in terms of big ‘oh they brought so much stuff,’” she said. “But there was one elderly couple, you know they’re living on a fixed income, but they literally brought the end half of their loaf of bread. They brought condiments and just whatever they had on hand. That’s giving everything.”
Wilson said she donated her electric kettle and people donated instant coffee to take down to Ruston because both of the main coffee shops in the town were hit and the town didn’t have power.
“Some people may not think coffee is a big deal, but they don’t drink it,” she said.
Wilson collected the supplies and drove them down to Ruston using her truck and trailer. She said it was harrowing to make her way through the town because of how much destruction happened.
“From your little businesses to your big businesses, homes and, of course, lives lost,” she said.
According to reports from the Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker, the tornado caused two fatalities, damage to 1,200 homes and businesses and many downed powerlines and trees. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a state of emergency shortly after the tornado went through the town.
Walker said in a Facebook video on April 29 that this tornado was the worst disaster the city has ever seen, but that the future of the city is bright.
“The response has been incredible as far as volunteers,” Walker said.
Wilson took the supplies to Walker’s office, trusting the office to deliver the supplies where it needed to get. The Ruston Civic Center served as a recovery center for the area where people could go to collect physical supplies including tarps and charge their phones. Supplies were also delivered to community members who couldn’t make it to the Civic Center. Community locations such as Springs Life Church and Rollen Hills Farm were offering meals to people and use of electricity.
“There were many others,” Wilson said. “Their community has just joined together. Then there were people making stuff for first responders. There were just people out with BBQ pits out doing it. It just makes your heart feel good to see that.”Wilson said she was hesitate to tell her story, but one of her girl friends encouraged her with the idea that it could cause a ripple and somebody who was thinking about doing something and hadn’t might get the courage to.
“I would like to do more to help Ruston because they’re our neighbor,” she said. “I know they’re going to need more people.”
Michael Shine may be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook @MichaelAZShine for updates on Union County school news.
