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Read More about this safari issue.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.
Image provided and taken by Zachary Hall.
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.
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.
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.
Image used with persimmon from Zach Hall.
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.
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:
Zach and Garrett with some of the school supplies purchased for Rogers School District.
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!
Most images were provided and taken by Zachary Hall.
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