When Disaster Strikes, You Don't Need Government

All you need are volunteers. Everyone from highschoolers to churchgoers to retail employees pitched in, spontaneously, organically, and without the government.

Volunteers outnumber cleanup jobs in DFW areas hit by tornadoes

More volunteers than cleanup jobs

The outpouring of help has been so great that both Arlington and Kennedale said late Thursday that they don't need more volunteers.

"At this time, we have more volunteers than cleanup jobs," Arlington officials said in a news release. "However, in the event that additional volunteers are needed, the City will post a call for volunteers on the Tornado Recovery Center web page."

In west Arlington, Nancy Springer was surprised when members of Pantego Bible Church in Fort Worth stopped by with a chain saw to help remove fallen limbs from her back yard.

"I have new friends," she said, smiling, as Senior Pastor David Daniels and his wife, Tiffany, cut up branches and stacked them by the curb.

Springer's next-door neighbors Terry and Lori Jones, whose home was also damaged, are members of the church and enlisted the help.

"This is when community really matters," David Daniels said.

Plenty of companies pitched in, too, including The Home Deport.

Members of Team Depot, from regional executives to hourly associates, were recognizable by their orange shirts.

On Thursday, about 65 employees joined the Arlington cleanup, district manager Larry Waterman said. The company also had crews in the Lancaster and Forney areas.

"Giving back is one of Home Depot's core values," said Reed Lewis, an employee from the north Irving store who was working near Martin High School in southwest Arlington. "It's just the right thing to do."

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/04/05/3864940/volunteers-outnumber-cleanup-jobs.html#storylink=cpy