120 Volunteers Rally After Tornado Hits Wisconsin Town

A tornado ripped through Ringle, Wisconsin last Friday, damaging homes, cars, and an elementary school. But before the debris settled, neighbors were already rolling up their sleeves.

Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in nearby Weston partnered with North Wisconsin District LCMS Disaster Relief to organize a massive volunteer effort. By Monday morning, 120 people had gathered at the church, ready to help however they could.

Associate Pastor Jordan Balk and his team aren't just handing out rakes and chainsaws. They're training volunteers in skills ranging from heavy equipment operation to something equally important: how to listen to people who've lost everything.

"People are grieving and people are struggling," Balk explained. "So we're also training people how to just listen, emphasize, and bring hope."

The church opens its doors at 7:30 each morning this week. Volunteers receive safety training from 8 to 9 a.m., then carpool to damaged sites across Ringle, Kronenwetter, and Weston. The work includes tree removal, debris cleanup, and helping families sort through what remains.

Volunteer Lori Riemann captured the spirit perfectly. "Just being able to serve in our community for those people who've lost so much and just to be that presence in that space as well as just offer that hope and encouragement to those that are hurting."

The Ripple Effect

This response shows how disaster can bring out the best in communities. The church isn't requiring membership or religious affiliation. They're simply asking: who needs help, and who can give it?

The effort extends beyond physical labor. Mt. Olive Lutheran Church launched a digital fundraiser to help families cover repair costs that insurance might not touch. Every dollar raised means one less family facing impossible choices between fixing their roof or paying their bills.

The volunteers represent every skill level. Some arrive with excavators and years of construction experience. Others show up with willing hands and compassionate hearts, ready to rake debris or simply sit with someone who needs to talk.

This week's focus remains on immediate cleanup, but the commitment extends far beyond clearing fallen trees. These volunteers are building something stronger than what the tornado destroyed: proof that communities still show up for each other when it matters most.