Rockwall third-grader marshals aid for Joplin tornado victims

Sonya N. Hebert/Staff Photographer Kate Avery, 9, of Rockwall holds a drawing she made of tornado-devastated Joplin, Mo., at Nebbie Williams Elementary School in Rockwall. 1 of 2 By LINDSAY RUEBENS Staff WriterStaff Writer lruebens@dallasnews.comlruebens@dallasnews.com Published 15 June 2011 10:03 PM When Rockwall third-grader Kate Avery and her family drove through Joplin, Mo., soon after an EF5 tornado ripped through town last month, she couldnt get over the magnitude of the destruction.

It was really devastating, said Kate, who was headed home on her 9th birthday after a trip to Iowa. I almost cried. It was all torn apart it was really sad to see all those people because a lot of people actually died. Like so many other North Texans, Kate and her classmates at Nebbie Williams Elementary School were compelled to help the victims of the May 22 tornado, which has claimed 153 lives and demolished a third of the town. Back at school, she drew a picture of what she had seen and, with classmate Ella Laurence, made a PowerPoint presentation with before-and-after pictures, information about rescue workers and a plea for help. She and two friends went from class to class to show their presentation to other students. We just wanted to help, and we couldnt imagine what it would be like if a tornado came through Rockwall, fellow third-grader MaceyWeable said. Their desire to help fit in perfectly with the efforts of Keith Colley. The girls school received a flier from the Oak Cliff resident seeking donations to help the tornado victims. The schools immediate support surprised Kate. I was amazed, she said. It was a really good feeling. I didnt know drawing what I saw and making a PowerPoint would bring my school together and get a ton of stuff. In less than a week, Colley filled half an extended cargo van with bottled water, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and other hygiene products, and cards written by students. Colley lived in Joplin for five years and graduated in 1986 from Ozark Christian College, on the north side of town that was spared. Two hospice centers werent as lucky, and Colley, a hospice worker, was compelled to help. Using Facebook as his main communication medium and a few fliers, Colley began a five-day campaign to collect medical supplies for the hospice patients who survived, as well as toiletries, socks and water. He invited 60 people to help the cause, and by the end of the first day, 200 had joined the Facebook event. Before we knew it, stuff was pouring in. We set up drop-off points in key parts of the city, and we started collecting, Colley said. We were dumbfounded. About a week after the tornado struck, Colley and a stranger who had volunteered to haul donations with his family set out for Joplin with the jam-packed van, a trailer and a filled pickup. It took the caravan a few tries to find a drop-off location because many were full. He said he and some of his college friends plan to return to volunteer as bereavement counselors, which is what Colley does at hospice. He also has a new project: gathering furniture and appliances for Joplin residents. Again, hes coordinating his efforts through Facebook. Hes confident that North Texans have more to give.

The generosity I saw in this city is unbelievable, and I think they deserve the credit, he said. People need to know theres still good people out there. To contribute to efforts to help Joplin tornado victims, visit the website of the American Red Cross southwest Missouri chapter at www.redcross-ozarks.org.