The large number of emergency needs across the nation coupled with the limited federal financial resources for aid made it no surprise when FEMA declined the request for support to individuals recovering from the North Minneapolis tornado. What did catch my attention was the reason aid was denied. The community has the resources to recover.
About a million dollars have been raised through the Greater Twin Cities United Way and the Minneapolis Foundation through Give MN; and several local nonprofits, corporations and lots of politically motivated individuals have stepped forward and pledged help, so it might be possible for the neighborhoods in North Minneapolis to recover without the FEMA dollars.
The tornado recovery is going to take a huge effort. In the first week after the tornado 2000 volunteers pitched in with a first round of clean up. These volunteers worked to clear trees and debris, patched and repaired homes and buildings and offered aid to residents. Driving through North Minneapolis it is obvious that there is much more work and there are still dozens of people left without shelter.
At a neighborhood meeting Mayor Rybak spoke about at 36 month plan to rebuild. This plan will no doubt involve thousands more volunteers. And we are fortunate in Minnesota to have a widespread tradition of multiple generations of “legacy” volunteerism.
It is the retired couple who volunteer with Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly who FEMA and the residents of North Minneapolis are depending on to stitch our communities together. This couple has been volunteering together with their family for twenty years. The couple, now grown children with a grandchild in tow, come together regularly in service and volunteerism.
“Some people our age bring their kids and grandkids to the beach for family vacations…we come together at the holidays to bring joy and friendship to community elders to create our shared family memories.”
Hands On Twin Cities, the oldest volunteer center in the nation lists Twin Cities volunteer opportunities. Hands On was part of the first round of volunteer coordination in the days after the tornado hit North Minneapolis and they will continue to work in the community with corporate, neighborhood and service organizations to recruit volunteers in the recovery process.
Volunteer needs will be posted on the Hands On website: www.handsontwincities.org.
