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Next to hearing the word “gather” over and over the next two months, we will also hear the word “serve” or “service” on repeat. While you will probably work with your family or co-workers to find ways to serve your local community, have you ever considered using your vocation as a service opportunity?
Many people already work in natural service industries. Whether food service, customer service or public service, it seems evident that this is already a thing. But stop for a minute and consider whether your corporate, banking, transportation, retail, or construction job has a built-in service component.
Hmmmm, it makes you think, right?
Recently, a group of Arkansas meteorologists and storm trackers took their jobs and personal interest in weather science in a different direction when they discovered an open service opportunity in their region of Arkansas. Even though other groups were already on the ground doing storm recovery, they saw their public roles and access to Arkansans as an opportunity to share information and release people to serve locally.
Stirring Up a New Venture
Zachary Hall’s passion for helping others extends beyond storm tracking and sharing weather forecasts. Following the devastating northern Arkansas tornadoes in May, Zachary and Garrett Lewis from Oz Weather partnered to fill a gap for expedited storm recovery in Arkansas. Both guys wanted to do something quickly after seeing their followers request outlets to help.
Together, they formed the Arkansas Storm Recovery Team, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing disaster relief and assistance to communities affected by severe weather. As an immediate help, they organized a drive for school supplies for the Rogers School District, raising significant money to provide essential items to needy students. Items like glue, crayons, pencils, and backpacks were helpful for the school district, which suffered immensely from the storms.
In its infancy, the guys are determining their next steps, knowing that other devastation may come through winter storm season. They recently hosted a meal fundraiser through Stu’s Clean Cookin’, a healthy frozen meal prep business with stores across Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. This partnership was an excellent way for the community to learn more about their efforts and support the Arkansas Discovery Team.
So, what can you do?
As the new nonprofit develops its purpose and partnerships, it’s an excellent reminder to look at the opportunities before us and ask a few questions.
- What spheres of influence exist in your vocational work?
- How could your co-workers, business, clients, and vendors work together to maximize impact?
- What immediate needs exist in your local community that could use your help through funding and joint effort?
- Is there something already happening that you could partner with to elevate or expand?
- Do the needs/organizations need personnel, time, or dollars to increase their impact?
- Is more required, or are you developing a cause to create a service opportunity?
Often, as people desire to do more good and improve things around them, they work to create something that either already exists or is not an actual need in the area. For example, when a tornado happens, we quickly think to help people start replacing their “stuff” – furniture, clothing, kitchen supplies, toys, and we forget their home is gone and there is nowhere to store the things coming their way.
It’s often important to pause and determine immediate needs like – food, shelter, water and paper supplies. Then, as structures become re-inhabitable, the physical items can be replaced. The same is true for the work done by homeless shelters, food banks, toy drives and business-to-business support services.
In the meantime, they offered tips to help us be prepared for any storm and the winter season.
Preparing for Winter Storms
Winter weather can also bring hazardous conditions, making it crucial to be prepared. Here are some essential steps to be winter storm-ready and minimize the impact of severe weather.
1. Check Your Heating System
- Service Call: Before the winter season, have your heating system inspected and serviced.
- Changing filters: Clean or replace air filters to ensure efficient operation.
- Testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Make sure they are functioning correctly.
- Check on your indoor heaters: Ensure all safety protocols are followed for indoor space heaters to keep away fire hazards.
2. Insulate Your Home
- Sealing drafts: Use weatherstripping around windows and doors.
- Insulating pipes: Protect against freezing by wrapping exposed pipes with insulation and faucet covers.
3. Prepare Your Vehicle
- Check the battery and tires: Make sure your battery functions well, and your tires suit winter conditions.
- Keep an emergency kit in your car: Include blankets, food, water and a first-aid kit.
- Remind yourself of road safety: Renew a focus on driving safety in winter weather or take a course to prepare yourself or a young driver.
4. Create an Emergency Kit
In the week leading up to a predicted winter weather storm that may cause power outages, assemble an emergency kit for your car and your home that includes:
- Non-perishable food: Stock up on canned goods, dried fruits, nuts and energy bars.
- Water: Keep at least 1 gallon per person daily for at least three days. You can get giant jugs of water, which are helpful for camping and you can use if water sources are disrupted.
- Medications: Ensure you have an adequate supply of any essential medications.
- First aid supplies: Band-aids, antiseptics and other essential medical supplies.
- Flashlights and batteries: Power outages are common during storms, so be prepared with reliable light sources.
- Chargers: have chargers ready so you can keep electronics charged as long as possible before power outages. Go ahead and charge extension chargers for backup if needed.
5. Stock Up on Supplies
- Ice melt or sand: Keep pathways clear and prevent slipping.
- Shovels and snow gear: Ensure you have the tools to clear snow from driveways and walkways.
- Food: fill your pantry with snacks and meals your family will always eat. Sometimes, these are cans of soup, non-perishable snacks, food that can be prepared on a hot plate or fire, peanut butter and bread. Forget the milk and bread; grab foods your people will eat and fill their bellies for multiple days home together.
- Paper supplies: stock up on toilet paper, paper towels, plates and utensils. You will need essential items for several days.
6. Stay Informed
- Using weather apps: Download reliable weather apps for real-time updates.
- Signing up for local alerts: Many communities offer text or email notifications for severe weather.
- Update Notifications: update your social media account settings to receive notifications for accounts associated with the meteorologists listed below
As we head into a new season and weather patterns, it’s always good to know a series of Arkansas meteorologists and storm trackers you can follow and trust!
- Zach Hall | all of Arkansas | FOLLOW
- Garrett Lewis | OZ Weather – Fort Smith and NW AR | FOLLOW – Arkansas Storm Recovery partner
- James Bryant – meteorologist – KATV in Little Rock | FOLLOW – Arkansas Storm Recovery partner
- Ryan Vaughn – meteorologist in Jonesboro | FOLLOW
- KNWA Authority Weather Team | Fayetteville
- 40/29 Darby Bybee | Fort Smith
- Arkansas News Meteorologists | across Arkansas – talented and committed to information and safety!
Most images were provided and taken by Zachary Hall.
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