"This is what America is all about"—Help for Tornado Survivors coming in Many Forms

Aimee Herd : May 21, 2013
Time, BGRRT

"Our hearts are breaking for all of those in the path of this horrific tornado."

Many times, over the past 24 hours, have I heard the words, "This is what Americans do," and "This is what America is all about," in reference to people helping people, often total strangers, and fellow victims of the devastating tornado that ravaged parts of Oklahoma on Monday.

Accounts of ordinary people's unselfish and often heroic actions in pulling survivors to safety from amid piles of debris left in the twister's wake, are beginning to come to light.

Other stories of survival, some seemingly miraculous in nature have also been told on various news outlets. One in particular really grabbed my heart; a grandfather and Moore resident being interviewed about his experience in the storm, recounted how his daughter's quick actions had saved his grandchildren.

The man told of how his daughter, upon hearing the warning about the ensuing storm, had a "bad feeling" about the kids being at the Plaza Towers Elementary school, and drove over to pick them up and whisk them away only minutes before the tornado ripped through the town and that very school.

"I don't know what I'd do without my grandchildren," the man said.

At the time of this writing, responders are still searching the rubble of what was Plaza Towers school, searching for hopefully survivors, but more likely recovering bodies of those children and teachers who are still missing.

In the meantime, as is every disaster that has happened in this country, the nearby go to help, and those further away donate and pray… but it's on all of our minds, and hearts.

It's what Americans do.

Help is coming in many forms; not just individuals, but also through the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Samaritan's Purse, and the uniquely trained Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, who partners with Samaritan's Purse deploying volunteers who help with physical needs, and chaplains who help to comfort those who are left in despair.

And we echo the comment of Jack Munday, international director for the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, who said, "Our hearts are breaking for all of those in the path of this horrific tornado. Words can't do justice to the pain that is being experienced in and around Moore. Please pray continuously for all of those who lost loved ones, and for those who may still be trapped amidst the rubble."