More than 1,400 volunteers providing Eight Days of Hope for Mississippi families still struggling a year after EF-3 tornado
Published 2:41 pm Wednesday, March 13, 2024
More than 1,400 volunteers have spent the last five days being the hands and feet of Jesus — serving Mississippi families affected by an EF-3 tornado that ripped across the state a year ago.
Teams organized by Eight Days of Hope are serving residents in Amory and Monroe County, completing roofing, flooring, drywall, painting, mechanical, and park projects. The effort started in March 9 and will continue until March 16.
EDOH is headquartered in Tupelo, and the current work is the group’s 20th rebuilding effort.
“Those in Amory are our neighbors. Our national headquarters is right down the road, and we can’t turn a blind eye to their need. If they are hurting, we are hurting alongside them,” says Stephen Tybor III, EDOH President and CEO. “We are ready to serve, to help bring a sense of normalcy back to those who are still waiting to rebuild, almost a year later.”
Over 1,500 homes were damaged during the storm, and many families are still trying to rebuild.
EDOH is partnering with the Monroe Strong Long Term Recovery Committee (LTRC) to identify the greatest needs in the area.
“Among the challenges faced by countless communities in the aftermath of disasters, we feel truly blessed and excited to welcome Eight Days of Hope to Monroe County. In a world with numerous areas needing assistance, the fact that EDOH has chosen our community speaks volumes,” says Lindsay Mitchell, LongTerm Disaster Recovery Director. “Their presence brings more than just aid – it brings hope to our hearts when it’s needed most. We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to rebuild and return to normalcy with the support of Eight Days of Hope, a beacon of light in times of darkness.”
This outreach is for everyone, regardless of age or skillset.
Those interested in serving or supporting this outreach financially can visit www.eightdaysofhope.com for more information.
EDOH is supported by almost 20 National Partners, who help provided resources.
“We are blessed to have four national partners in the Northeast Mississippi Area — American Family Radio, Barnes Crossing Auto Group, Crescent Memorial, and Renasant Bank,” an EDOH news release said.