MCC in the News: Joplin volunteering

When MCC-Longview continuing education coordinator Diane Mannion sent an all-employee email inviting colleagues to join her for a trip to Joplin, Mo., to help with clean-up efforts in the tornado-ravaged town, she probably didn't think it would land her on a live news broadcast at 6:00 on a sleepy Friday morning.

Mannion and Longview registrar David Fritz were featured in a live broadcast on KMBC 9 FirstNews before departing for Joplin in the wee hours of Friday, July 1. Meteorologist Lisa Teachman,

David Fritz represented MCC in one of two
live television spots on Friday morning
on KMBC channel 9 FirstNews. 

who has been covering the aftermath of the devastating May 22 tornado, spoke with Mannion and Fritz about their motivation to help with clean-up efforts.

Fritz, who had spent three days in Joplin a few weeks earlier, said he had personally experienced the devastating impact of severe storms when a tornado ripped through his hometown in Kansas in 2001.

Mannion said she and Terri Kelley, a program specialist at Longview, devised the volunteer coordination plan while looking through photos that Kelley had taken when she traveled to Joplin in June. The two chose July 1 as the date for MCC volunteers to help, and more than 70 MCC students, employees and family members signed up to make the trip.

The volunteers met at Longview early Friday morning and caravanned to Joplin, about 2.5 hours south of Lee's Summit.

Some members of the group helped with sorting of

MCC-Longview student reflects on his service in Joplin, Mo.

On Friday, July 1, a group of 75 student, faculty and staff drove to Joplin, Mo., to help in the ongoing clean-up efforts there.

One MCC student, Mike Simpson, wrote this short reflection after returning from his day of volunteer service in Joplin:

"It is impossible to describe the full magnitude of the destruction in the city of Joplin. All the many local and national newscasts couldn't prepare me for what I saw down there. As soon as our bus entered ground zero, I was overwhelmed with a sense of sadness and despair.

However, in the midst of all the rubble there were volunteers from all over the country. These people drove for hours to work in a cloud of dust in the sweltering heat to help people that they have never met. Being surrounded by so many of these kind-hearted people is a big relief in a city that has been plagued with so much sadness."

MCC will continue to provide aid to the Southern Missouri town in its recovery from the devastating tornado that left more than 150 people dead and left thousands homeless.

MCC in the news: Staff and Faculty head to Joplin to help with ongoing clean-up efforts

At 5 a.m. more than 70 faculty and staff gathered at the flag poles at MCC-Longview as they prepared to head south to Joplin, Missouri.

The Lee's Summit Journal took time to talk with organizers and preview the trip in today's edition. Be sure to give it a read and support your co-workers headed to Joplin.

Maple Woods Vet Tech students assist smallest victims of Joplin tornado

As soon as the dust settled in Joplin, Mo., residents and volunteers from all over the region began work searching, mourning, rebuilding and restoring the town after parts of it were decimated by a tornado. As families searched picked through the rubble, trying to salvage possessions, cars, sanity, it became clear that the people of Joplin weren't the only ones who needed assistance.

There were also the animals.Family pets left to wander the debris, waiting for the return of their owners; animals needing medical attention; lost family members needing shelter while they waited to be claimed.

Two of Maple Woods' veterinary technology students took the needs of ALL of Joplin's residents to heart and went, along with hundreds of others, to assist the southwest Missouri community. Emily Dahl and Debbi Mitchell worked with the Missouri Veterinary Response Team to conduct search and rescue operations and set up a temporary shelter on the Missouri Southern State University campus. One of Joplin's seven animal facilities was completely destroyed, and most of the others were without power and running short on supplies. Emily and Debbi provided medical assistance, helped with trying to locate owners and generally caring for the misplaced animal

"I love animals, and going to help out with the animals seemed like it made the most sense. Pets are part of the family, and after everyone gets settled, they're going to come looking for them, and it will be great to hand over a beloved pet. It's part of the healing process."

MCC-Maple Woods to host Joplin Relief Blood Drive

Many things are needed in the aftermath of the tornadoes in Joplin, including blood supplies. In an effort to provide relief and much-needed supplies for the Community Blood Center, Maple Woods is hosting a Joplin Relief Blood Drive from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. July 5, 2011 in the Student Center. This is a great opportunity for students, faculty and staff who may not have time to donate during the spring and fall semesters to help out!

Those who wish to donate must present a photo ID and complete a mini-physical and health summary (private). Anyone who is healthy, over 16 years old and weighs at least 115 pounds is eligible to donate.

Visit the Community Blood Center to learn more about the donation process.

Joplin lightning strike victim Jeff Taylor to be honored by Public Safety Institute

A lightning strike claimed the life of Riverside Police Officer Jeff Taylor, adding to the tragedies which befell Missourians in the wake of the EF5 twister which ravaged Joplin in late May of 2011. Taylor was on the scene responding to the disaster as a part of his duties.

Aside from serving as a police officer, Jeff Taylor also trained as a fire fighter, attending the Public Safety Institute at MCC-Blue River Fire Academy in 2007. He was part of the FA-12 class. The institute is currently organizing an effort to install a plaque dedicated to Jeff’s memory.

A visitation will be held today at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, Mo. from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The funeral will immediately follow.