Donations of time, money help Perryville

The worst of nature always seems to bring out the best in people.

In the wake of the Perryville tornado, neighbors near and far donated their time and opened their wallets for the victims who lost their homes and possessions.

The United Way of Southeast Missouri raised nearly $50,000 in the week following the tornado that destroyed dozens of homes and damaged so many more.

"We and the people of Perryville have been so overwhelmed by the outpouring of help and concern," the local chapter's executive director, Elizabeth Shelton, stated in a news release. "Online donations began arriving as soon as we posted in our social media Wednesday morning that we had established the fund and 100 percent of donations would go to Perry County. Then our local media helped tremendously by reporting on it, and checks flooded in."

The Perryville disaster fund will remain open indefinitely.

Nearby schools also chipped in.

As the Southeast Missourian's Ben Klein reported, hundreds of students at Perryville High rolled up their sleeves and went to work, helping friends, teachers, coaches and neighbors.

Several miles south, 85 Jackson High School students volunteered without being prompted to do so. Jackson Middle school collected cleaning supplies, children's clothing and other items that were requested by aid organizations in Perry County.

Notre Dame Regional High School raised $5,150 for a dress-down day. The Kelso School District set up a trailer for totes, trash bags, toiletries and other items; and students at St. Paul's Lutheran School in Jackson collected products and donated $1,500 in cash and gift cards.

Perryville is still coping with the disaster. For many, life is still hard.

But life, even when disrupted by tragedy, is made easier when you know you have the support of thousands of neighbors and strangers who simply want to help.