CN, Volunteers Pitch In

CN, VOLUNTEERS PITCH IN

COURTESY Homes sit damaged in Cherokee and Adair counties on Nov. 30 after an EF-2 tornado swept through Sequoyah, Cherokee, Adair and Delaware counties.

Volunteers and Cherokee Nation staff assist people in the Welling, Caney and Wauhillau area affected by a Nov. 30 tornado.

BY GRANT NEUGIN Reporter

residents in response to an EF-2 tornado that came through western Cherokee County on Nov. 30.

WELLING – On Dec. 5, the Caney Community Center served free lunches to area

People impacted by the tornado were provided assistance and served breakfast immediately after the tornado.

Welling and surrounding area residents, Welling firefighters, the Cherokee Nation Incident Management Team and Ozark and Lake Region Electric companies came together at the Caney Community Center to help those affected. Most people cleaned up damage from the tornado with their own equipment, while others donated their time at the Caney Community Center. The volunteers at the center helped cook breakfast, lunch and dinner for people affected by the tornado.

“My job is the cook at the Caney Community Center, but ever since the tornado disaster happened I have been volunteering my time and effort to give everyone food to eat,” Mae Smith said. “Usually non-tribal community members have to pay for their food, but it is free all week long for both tribal and non-tribal members.”

The community center is usually open only Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but after the tornado, it was open every day. As of Dec. 1, the Caney Community Center had served nearly 600 people.

SEE TORNADO, 2

“It was amazing to see this community come together as quickly as they did. It really showed the resiliency and love that both Cherokee Nation and the Cherokee County communities have.”

Richelle Singleterry, Cherokee Nation community advocate