| Scout 1 |
| (New order Amish - not be confused with Meninite!) |
| 05/22/16 09:11 PM |
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THANK YOU CAFE CANTEEN'ers
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EXACTLY FIVE YEARS AGO RIGHT NOW, Hell came to Earth in Joplin, MO. Lives were forever changed -- including my own.
First, Godspeed and God bless to those who perished, those who were injured and survived, and those who lost home hearth and livelihood in the F5 tornado. I also want to recognize the WARRIORS of the Conservation Cafe Canteen who answered the call and went to Joplin following the Sunday night storm. These men and women know who they are, and out of respect for possibly leaving someone out, I won't attempt to list them all. Ditto for the dozens more who came across with Mission Support, money, food, encouragement and more. THANK YOU EVERYBODY! It was a huge TEAM effort and hinged almost entirely on God-given "access" that our little group was blessed with by one Mike Larery. NOT ONLY did Mike and Trina & family open their home to house and feed a parade of misfits, but Mike paved the way for our Canteen to set up in THE primo location @ Joplin Fire House 1. If not for Mike, we would have likely operated out of some driveway. Instead, the guys at House 1 opened their facilities and hearts to the Canteen -- and our efforts to MAKE A DIFFERENCE were tripled or quadrupled, or more. According to FEMA, the Canteen fed 1,000 meals a day for two weeks straight. We did it 100% with donations, so THANK YOU DONORS!
I want to use this opportunity to say personally THANK YOU SO MUCH to every single Cafe'er who helped in any way, large or small. To those of you who answered the call in any way, SALUTE. The entire time we were in Joplin, there wasn't a SINGLE moment of drama, and every single time there was a need or a job to do, somebody stepped up. Every single time!
I do want to give SPECIAL kudos to a wonderful couple who went way beyond the call of duty. Mr. and Mrs. Dave Wagner celebrated their wedding anniversary by working in the Canteen! THAT is dedication, and I will never forget the way the Wagners worked shoulder to shoulder on their day -- helping others.
Joplin tornado outreach was the BEST OF PEOPLE serving others in the WORST OF TIMES.
It was a tragedy and a shame that the tornado ever happened... but the opportunity to step up and serve those shell-shocked folks in the destruction zone and their brave and tireless rescuers WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE one of THE MOST SIGNIFICANT moments of my entire life.
Joplin changed my life. I know others of you feel the same.
God bless Mike and Trina and family and all who were affected five years ago this afternoon.
| redleg |
| (Enzyte - one a day!) |
| 05/22/16 10:54 PM |
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Re: THANK YOU CAFE CANTEEN'ers
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seems a lot longer ago,,,,ya'll done good...the boy is strugging a bit today..all I can say to him is life goes on.....that one left a mark on a lot of folks...
| redleg |
| (Enzyte - one a day!) |
| 05/23/16 12:25 AM |
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Re: THANK YOU CAFE CANTEEN'ers
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Scott you lit the torch. nuff said.
| IIFID |
| (Bond....Timmy Bond) |
| 05/23/16 12:37 AM |
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Re: THANK YOU CAFE CANTEEN'ers
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I've been on this earth a long time and that event and events that followed - especially the Canteen and the people who worked there - changed my life. I still use the memory of that and how peoples lives were changed forever at 5:07 PM on 5/22/11 to remind me of what is really important - family and friends. I am very proud to have been part of an amazing effort by some amazing people.
Tim
| Mac |
| (Birding Moderator) |
| 05/23/16 11:31 PM |
Re: THANK YOU CAFE CANTEEN'ers
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Thanks for your leadership and dedication, Scott. You and sooo many others did so much...spontaneously! I am glad you gave us a chance to contribute in some way.
Proud of everyone that helped Joplin get back on it's feet.
| redleg |
| (Enzyte - one a day!) |
| 05/24/16 12:50 AM |
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Re: THANK YOU CAFE CANTEEN'ers
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Just talked to Robin and told her she needed to lurk on this post....
She said that was the best and the worst time of her life,,,,but she would have never missed it,,,,She gave praise to all of you,,that were there or supported in any way,,,,she don't post here,,,but I can tell you this,,,it made her heart a whole lot bigger..........
| DADAKOTA |
| (member) |
| 05/29/16 09:14 AM |
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Re: THANK YOU CAFE CANTEEN'ers
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On the 22nd I thought quite a bit about the tornado, the canteen, and all those who donated and/or worked to provide a warm meal, an encouraging word, and hopefully a small break for those dealing with and living through the tragic event. I know the canteen made a difference. I can't thank the Lord enough for the little woman that became my wife 34 years ago today. I never had to ask if she wanted to help with the canteen. She jumped right in as soon as she heard what was going on. We definitely will never forget the anniversary we spent in Joplin. I hope we never see a tragedy like Joplin again. But if we do I'm sure we'd be a part of Canteen II.
| DjF |
| (little buddie) |
| 05/31/16 05:57 PM |
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Re: THANK YOU CAFE CANTEEN'ers
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I drove down to Sedalia to pick up some donated items from a meat locker down there, this was the same day the east side of there was hit by a tornado...I was met there by a gentleman that interrupted his helping cleaning up in Sedalia to help me load the donated items, then he was off to go help some more...
I played a very small role with the canteen in Joplin, collecting some donations, running to gather some stuff, so on...but for me, it always comes back to this gentleman...no matter how small or big the tragedy, no matter what your role is, you can make a difference...