Precious Moments News & Updates

Friday, June 3, 2011

As residents of Joplin, MO continue to cope with the aftermath from the recent deadly tornado, Precious Moments employee Adrienne Judd shares her story from the day of the terrible storm.

My husband, Brian, and I along with two of our children were on I-44 on our way back from picking up my husband’s truck from a body shop in Joplin. We exited on Main St and made it to his parents’ house. While there we heard on the radio that two tornadoes had touched down, one at 7th and Maiden Lane and one at 7th and Rangeline. Upon hearing this we decided it was best to stay and wait for the storm to pass until we continued on our way home to Webb City.

While on our way home we passed what used to be the Pizza Hut on Main St. We noticed then that the police were making everyone turn around. Upon looking to my right, the direction that my parents’ house should have been, everything was completely leveled. It was all piles of wood, and you could see smoke in the sky. Brian told me to take the kids back to his parents’ house while he went to search for my mom and dad.

About two hours later Brain pulled up at his parents’ house with both my parents, my cousin, and my grandmother in the back of his truck. Thankfully, all had only minor, non-life threatening injuries. My parents told me that their house and both of their vehicles had been destroyed.

Brian had to park about half a mile away from their house, but found them walking down Missouri Ave, about three houses down after they had dug their way out of the ruble. On their way back to the truck Brain and my dad stopped to help dig people out of the piles of what used to be the neighborhood.

The next day we went back to the house to see if there was anything salvageable. I was in total shock when we pulled up. I could not believe they survived, but was so thankful they had. One thing I have learned from this experience is don’t ever take anything for granted. Life is precious and you never know what can or will happen.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

You may have seen the footage of the first person video of the Joplin tornado on YouTube. Aubrey Bradley, one of our very own employees tells us how her sister and nephews were in this cooler during the ordeal.

"My sister, Lacey, and her two boys and fiancé were on their way home from the batting cages after celebrating her youngest son getting baptized earlier that morning when they pulled into a Fastrip convenience store because they needed to take cover from the looks of the sky and the reports on the radio. They arrived at the store just five minutes before the tornado ripped through the area. Approximately one minute before the tornado came through, my sister’s fiancé, Chris, went to the front door of the store to let a man and his two daughters in to join everyone under cover in the cooler in the back. They had just enough time to get into the cooler when the tornado came through and demolished the store around them. A man that was in the cooler with everyone took a video of the ordeal and posted it on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQnvxJZucds&feature=related "First Person video of Joplin MO tornado 5/22/11." It was broadcast the next morning on Good Morning America and other news stations. He later went and took video of where the store was located and the cooler they were in and the area that they crawled out of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-P4P68YyNM "Aftermath of First person Joplin Tornado."

 My aunt in West Palm Beach Florida also gave an interview to her local news station about her family here and my sister’s experience http://www.wpbf.com/video/28011152/detail.html

As I watch these clips I realize how lucky I am to have my life and my possessions, and I’m grateful to not have experienced such a traumatic event first-hand. I can’t even imagine what my sister and nephews felt when going through this and how they feel now, but I am very thankful to have them alive. Miraculously, they made it out with no injuries. And though her car is among the wreckage, their lives are priceless and much more important.

I am saddened by what has happened and I feel an unwavering guilt to know that I have essentially everything when so many have nothing. But I also realize how lucky my sister and nephews are to have made it out alive. My heart breaks to know that many lives will never be the same after going through such a terrifying experience, and I am filled with an overwhelming need and want to help those affected. I immediately started packing up everything that I could donate and I plan to give blood as well. I am glad that the local community has responded so positively, and I am happy to be a part of an organization that is willing to support the relief. I have a renewed outlook on life and hope to make a difference in anyway that I can. I continue to pray for all those affected, my heart goes out to each and every one of them.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Sarah Wells, one of our Precious Moments employees, shares her experiences from the recent tornado in Joplin, MO. The photo shows the destruction of her father-in-law’s home.

"After hearing the tornado sirens, my husband, Matt, two children and I hunkered down in our bathroom. We were listening to our weather radio and began hearing the first reports of damage. We began calling and texting our loved ones to check on their well being. We were unable to reach Matt's father and step-mother, Don and Karen, and were starting to get very concerned.

"After about an hour, we received a call from one of my father-in-law's neighbors. Later we learned that Don had just turned on the television and saw the warnings. As he got up to take cover, the window in that room blew out and the house started shaking. He headed for the walkout basement and was about halfway down the stairs when the roof of the living room collapsed right where he had been sitting. He managed to safely get to the basement, but soon found himself trapped. He yelled for help and eventually a neighbor dug him out. We also learned that Karen was at work at St. John's hospital. We had already heard about much of the devastation the hospital had suffered and were fearful for her safety.

"Matt left to get Don, as both of his cars had been destroyed. The fifteen minute trip took well over an hour. He had to park the car and start walking because the roads were impassable. There were no street signs, no landmarks, nothing looked familiar. Once Matt actually got to him, they made their way on foot to St. John's Hospital in search of Karen. There they were turned away as the hospital was unstable and being evacuated and they had so many wounded people needing care.

"They were able to walk back to the car and drive to our home. It was at least another hour later that we finally heard from Karen. After she was able to leave the hospital, she walked to her home and found it destroyed with no sign of Don. She began yelling for him before a neighbor told her Don had left with his son.She then walked back to St. John's and caught a ride to Memorial Hall that had been set up as a triage center. There she found a cousin who was able to contact us on her cell phone. We were finally able to reunite Don and Karen. While they are now essentially homeless, they consider themselves among the lucky ones as they both survived the tornado uninjured.

"Several friends and family members went to Don and Karen's destroyed home to help salvage important items. Karen was so excited when the first thing she spotted was her Bible. I think this experience has made us all grateful to God for the many blessings in our lives and helped to show the true spirit of humanity in those who have reached out with giving hearts and helping hands to those who so desperately need it.

"I am so proud to work for the Butcher family, a group of people that truly cares about others. I have witnessed the generosity of Precious Moments time and again in my 22 years here. This experience has been no different. The company responded immediately to any needs of the employees, made a direct monetary donation, and provided a means for others to do the same. I hope others will join Precious Moments in sharing the gift of love to a community in need."

You can help! Donate to the relief efforts now.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Precious Moments employee Andrea Carden first heard the news of the approaching tornado on Facebook, then from text messages, and then the local news stations. Immediately she grew concerned about family and friends that were in the path of the storm. She reached a few friends in just a few minutes, others in an hour or so, and some still have not been located.

"In the confusion following the storm, my grandfather was moved from his nursing home. At first he could not be found, but then they identified him at a nearby hospital. Then my aunt and uncle were listed as deceased. We couldn’t believe it! My cousins went to their house and, thankfully, they were alive. However, their home and their business were a total loss. Worse yet, a friend and several friends of friends lost their lives.

"The morning after the tornado we wanted to help. We were dispatched on a ‘search and rescue’ team to the high school area. I was quite familiar with the neighborhoods we were walking through, yet it was still extremely hard to gather my bearings. Everything was gone. Piles of rubble and debris were where businesses that I frequented used to be. Homes and apartments where friends lived looked like match sticks piled on the ground. A piece of playground equipment from where a preschool once stood stuck out as a painful reminder.

"Once we got to our destination, we began helping families dig through what was left of their belongings. We watched the pain, fear, and even some relief that they experienced. Although we were outsiders, at that moment, we were family helping family. I am still unable to comprehend what I saw, stepped over, and walked through, but I would do it all again without hesitation.

"Some things I’ll never forget – the baby’s comforter soaked and dirty laying on a pile of debris. The constant sounds of sirens and rescue radios. The lost dog that was hungry and scared, but too loyal to leave its house to come with us. But through all the turmoil, I’ve learned a lot. never to take a single moment for granted. Love your friends and family with all of your heart, and tell them so every chance you get. Never give up on God and his power to see you through things. Sometimes, you are stronger than you think you are. People still come together in times of need. Heroes are made out of everyday people. You can comfort those around you, even when you don’t have the words.

"People need to know that any help is greatly appreciated. From $1.00 to $1,000. From baby wipes to clothing and blankets. The gratitude that the victims have for any and all assistance is overwhelming."

You can help. Donate to the relief efforts now. And please share this story with your friends and family!