JOPLIN, MISSOURI -
Since the May 22nd tornado thousands of volunteers have provided time and service to help clean-up and rebuild devastated areas.
Now, the City of Joplin is asking for help to meet city-wide needs outside of the devastated areas.
After the tornado services for elderly and low to moderate income residents were put on hold while officials worked on long-term recovery.
"After the tornado I was involved in making sure we got our volunteers for our match," says Connie Chrisman of the Community Development office. "I think people were understanding that that was our priority at that time."
For the first time since May 22nd Chrisman is now able to revisit city-wide needs. Her first goal is to reopen the city's tool lending library.
"We have to have a handicap ramp out front," Chrisman says. "I just need some regular maintenance done on it."
Next is finding enough volunteers to continue offering assistance to those who weren't directly impacted by the storm but are still in need, like 98 year old resident Evelyn Edwards.
Edwards has taken advantage of volunteer services through the city's Community Development Department several times in the past.
"Sometimes my yard gets real bad, they came in and helped sometimes with the yard work, and I appreciated that," says Edwards. "If somebody could just come in and run the sweeper for me that would help me immensely."
To volunteer outside of the tornado affected areas you can contact Connie Chrisman at the Community Development office at 417-624-0820 Ext 570.
Chrisman says most of the volunteer services will be taking place in the Spring but there are volunteers needed for smaller projects right now.
