November 17, 2013 was supposed to be a normal Sunday. However, when a tornado ripped through the bureau of Washington, Illinois and left hundreds without shelter, nothing was the same anymore. Thankfully, the local Scouting community and many others responded immediately.
Members of W.D. Boyce Council and its Wenasa Quenhotan Lodge serve Washington, and provided front line assistance in the aftermath of the tornado. Scouts and Arrowmen alike helped with debris removal and the collection of food and clothing donations. With the Scouting community behind the effort, the outpouring of support was so overwhelming that organizers began turning down donations because they ran out of storage space. Overflow supplies were sent to the Philippines in order to service victims of recent Typhoon Haiyan. Thanks to the efforts of those who embodied the Scout Oath and Law, food and clothing were distributed to many of those in need.
Although the immediate needs of those affected by the disaster were met, there was an ongoing need for continued assistance. Lodges and councils across the Midwest stepped up to do their part. Help came from the Lewis & Clark Council (Nisha Kittan Lodge), Northwest Suburban Council (Lakota Lodge), Illowa Council (Konepaka Ketiwa Lodge), and Abraham Lincoln Council (Illinek Lodge). Campaigns were started in these areas to support long-term needs such as Christmas gifts, campership funds, and Scout uniforms. The Boy Scouts of America also supported the troops and packs in Washington with two truckloads of camping gear to help the troops maintain some sense of normalcy in their programs.
Mike Gray, 2013 Central Region Chief, joined Venture Crew 318 in distributing the donations to the Scouts in Washington. Gray, a member of Wenasa Quenhotan Lodge, said it is our duty as Arrowmen to respond in times of need.
"Allowat Sakima reminds us that we must ‘seek to serve and thus be faithful to the high ideals and purpose of the Order of the Arrow," said Gray. "In this time of recovery, we are called to help our Brothers who have suffered from this tragedy."
Robert Miller, lodge chief of Wenasa Quenhotan said helping the tornado-stricken community was the least his lodge could do. "The tornado struck an area very near our council office. Washington is like our backyard; the homes that were damaged belonged to our friends and family, so it really put things into perspective."
Miller said it also felt great to help the community. "I feel proud to be a part of a group that is so willing to help those in need." Indeed, it is the willingness of our organization to respond to disasters that make us feel like a family.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this natural disaster and all natural disasters around the world. Although the events of November 17th were tragic, the Scouting community has again proved that they will stand for their obligations: to be loyal, helpful, kind, to love one another, and to help other people at all times.