Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 134, Number 43, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 25 October 2012 — Page 8

Page A8

• Advance News • Thursday, October 25, 2012

Reflects, cont. from front

to head for a neighbor's basement. She was Stopped short of exiting the home as she witnessed pressure from the tornado forcing the door to the attic up and down, threatening to burst through it "I could feel the pressure/' she said. "We just live half a block from where it (the tornado) came through." Memories of that night remain fresh in the minds of both Reinharts. Still they are grateful that their home survived the ordeal with only a few damages, not total destruction. Bud Reinhart is exceptionally grateful that his beloved wife, Verlyn, was found and is still with him. The Reinharts' story was just one of many to be discovered inside a tent, this year on Oct. 18, during a community celebration titled "We All Survived Five Years Later." The "We All Survived" slogan was featured on T-shirts printed for Nappanee residents following the disaster. FACTS AND FIGURES During the celebration former Nappanee resident/community activist Linda Yoder described her experience as director of the Northern Indiana Tornado Relief Organization (NITRO) which was a group began by city leaders immediately following the tornado. Yoder discussed the amount of destruction, support of volunteers, and monetary donations. Following the tornado approximately 14,712 volunteers from throughout the Michiana area as well as 12 other states stepped in to help clean up roadways and properties for residents directly in the tornado's path. The many volunteers also helped clear the debris from 1,300 acres of local farm fields. Approximately 700 downed and damaged trees were cleaned up as well. "It show’ed the true resilience of the people here, and the generosity of so many others," said Linda Yoder. "And I saw what a truly beautiful community this was, and still is." An estimated $677,000 in monetary donations to help with reconstruction of the city was donated. The funds came from all over the United States, as well as a group from Taiwan, and donations from various locations in Canada. BLESSING IN DISGUISE "People came together" said Pastor Mick Tomlinson with great appreciation.

Around, cont. from front

Nappanee Police Department's Halloween party will follow at 7 p.m. at the Depot. HAYSTACK BREAKFAST NOV. 1 The Family Christian Development Center will host a haystack fundraiser breakfast Thursday, Nov. 1 at Dal-Mar Banquet Hall, Nappanee. The hall is located at 159 E. Lincoln St. and the breakfast will take place from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. A freewill offering will be accepted and funds will benefit the min-

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Tomlinson is the minister of New Beginnings Church, 901 S. Main St, Nappanee, where the city celebrated five years of survival and rebirth following the tornado. The site also represents the southern edge of where the path of destruction began for Nappanee. The pastor admitted that for his congregation the tornado turned out to be a blessing in disguise. "Before the tornado we (the church) had over $200,000 in debt," said Pastor Tomlinson. "Now we are completely out of debt." The newly-built church was completely destroyed when the tornado passed thru the property. After insurance was collected, enough donations were made to the church to equal more than $900,000. Now church members work through many avenues of outreach to return the love, prayer and support they received from so many to the entire Nappanee community. GIVING THANKS Nappanee Mayor Larry Thompson thanked all news media outlets for getting the story to people nationwide and worldwide. He credited the articles and news broadcasts for alerting the generous souls who reached out to Nappanee through volunteerism, monetary donations, prayer and other forms of support. Tammy Workman remembers hearing of tornadoes west of Nappanee and heading to the basement for emergency supplies. She returned upstairs to see Mike Hoffman, WNDU News Center 16 Meteorologist, alerting that the tornado was coming into Nappanee. "We headed to the basement and were there until the next morning," said Workman, a Locke Street resident on the western edge of the Lincoln Street destruction. "I thank Mike Hoffman (for warning us in time) and Mayor Thompson (for relief efforts following tornado)," said Robert Workman. "Yes! They're what really made the difference!" said Tammy Workman. "We are just a face through all of this," said Meteorologist Mike Hoffman as he addressed the group of approximately 100 present at the celebration. "And 1 am touched when I hear someone say 'you saved my life'." Hoffman who remained on the air throughout the night covering the tornado's

istry in the Wa-Nee community. To RSVP call ldella at 574-773-2149 or email fcdc@ &&c .in.org. BAZAAR/WALK SET FOR NOV 3 NAPPANEE Nappanee Church of the Brethren, 301 Mack Dr., Nappanee, will host its 17th annual craft bazaar and cookie walk Saturday, Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Soup and sandwiches will be available.

Community

Photo by Mania Chapman Former Nappanee Community Activist Linda Yoder, served as the director of the Northern Indiana Tornado Recovery Organization following the 2007 EF3 tornado which left SBO million dollars of destruction in its path through the city. Yoder was a guest speaker last week as Nappanee celebrated five years of rebirth since the tornado. She reflected on facts and figures involving the aftermath of the tornado, and praised local residents for their strength and endurance in rebuilding. Mike Hoffman (seated), WNDU Meteorologist, who remained on the air long after his broadcast ended, Oct. 18, 2007, to warn Nappanee residents of a tornado headed toward that city, attended the fifth-year celebration of surviving the tornado. During the event, held Oct. 18, 2012, at New Beginnings Assembly of God (901 S. Main St., Nappanee), many present thanked Hoffman for “saving lives” with his on-air warning to take cover when the tornado bore down on the community.

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approach, passage and updates following the touchdown in Nappanee also recognized his staff behind the scenes collecting information for him to broadcast. He asked people to remember all of those workers when giving thanks and appreciation. The meteorologist admitted there was a personal link to the Nappanee community. "All the cities in our broadcast area are important to me," said Hoffman, "but as I watched the tornado headed to Nappanee 1 thought 'I know someone in Nappanee.'" Hoffman and Mayor Thompson first became friends when both lived in Delphi, Ind., decades ago. BETTER FOLLOWING EXPERIENCE

RENEWAL DAY SET NAPPANEE The Union Center Church of the Brethren warmly invites the public to the church's Spiritual Renewal Sunday, Nov. 4. Josh Brockway, director of Spiritual Life and Disripleship for the Church of the Brethren will be speaking during the Sunday morning worship service at 9 a.m., from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in an afternoon session and again Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. Brockway will be speaking on "The Snape

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During his speech Nappanee Mayor Thompson recognized the presence of many local police, fire and paramedic emergency service members who had helped reach people in their destroyed homes following the tornado. Focus for the night was just how far the community had come since rebuilding, and how much stronger its residents are from the experience. After cleaning up from the tornado, and settling back into normal routine, the Workmans began a family. Brayden Workman is now three years old. Their story is but one of the many positive outcomes experienced in the wake of the 2007 EF3 tornado.

of the Next Great Awakening." There will also be a time of discussion with him during the Sunday School hour at 10:30 a.m. A carry-in meal will be held at noon that everyone is invited to enjoy. Union Center Church is located on the comer of County Roads 11 and 50 near Nappanee. OVERNIGHT STAY FOR VETS NAPPANEE B&Bs for Vets campaign. The Homespun

Country Inn is offering an overnight stay Saturday, Nov. 9 for veterans. Owners Dianne and Dennis Debelak are offering an early checkin time of noon so guests can enjoy Nappanee. Each of the bed and breakfast's five rooms will be reserved for the veterans and their guest and the entire inn will be complimentary that evening. To learn more, visit 302 N. Main St. in Nappanee or call 574-773-2034.

I AS YOUR COUNTY | COUNCILMAN

Gherman

WILL KEEP WORKING FOR: • More Elkhart County jobs through Economic Development WWWJOHNLETHERMAN.COM Paid by »» Letwmin CommMee Mary F. Thomas Tiaaaurar