In the modern world, we have so much information.  Storm warnings definitely saved lives.  But our information overload also helped to rally the troops to assist the victims of our recent Dec. tornado's.   Our county was NOT hit by the tornado.  But our people responded. Tornado's struck the communities to the North,  South, and especially the West.  Our people, former and current 4-H members and volunteers were clearing debris, digging people out of the rubble, and conducting straight-line search's for the dead. (a horrid task).  Other Butler Co. Extension volunteers were involved with collecting fencing supplies to help effected farmers. Our program assistant and volunteers made 200 bags of hygiene and comfort supplies (soap, shampoo, tooth brush, tooth paste floss, candy, beef jerky, deck of cards etc. Meanwhile some volunteers gathered portable propane heaters and tanks, generators, and a 750 gallon fuel service trailer (transfer pumps, tanks, generator) for use in supplying the large generator at 4-H Camp, and locally owned heavy equipment digging through the rubble. Still other volunteers helped sort the mountain of donated materials, cooked meals, including Christmas Diner on Christmas eve and Christmas day. Gave every child several presents, and even had a wrapping station for parents.  School busses, and truck & trailers were unloaded, sorted, and re-shipped from the Butler County Extension office.

In short everyone dropped their plans, stood to, and served those in need.  Somedays at camp we had 13 Butler co. volunteers.at 4-H Camp, at the same time we had 20 volunteers at the extension office, and our Ag. agent took a truck load of supplies to Greenville.  I was so proud of our volunteers, so proud of all those who donated materials or money..  The nation sometimes seems to be in conflict. But in Dec. I was never so proud of our people. 4-Hers, volunteers, strangers.  All Americans answering the call of their neighbors in need.