1,500 Volunteers Rally After Wisconsin Tornado Hits Menasha

Lines of volunteers stretched out the door at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Fox Cities campus this week, with so many people showing up to help that organizers needed extra computers just to check everyone in. Over 1,500 volunteers have registered to assist tornado victims since Monday's devastating EF-3 tornado ripped through the Menasha area, destroying homes and upending lives.

Judith Kaminski drove from Franklin with bottled water, work gloves, body wash, and dog food. She doesn't know anyone who was impacted by the storm, but that didn't matter.

"I hope people, no matter what they can give, give a little, give something, because you never know—it could be you," Kaminski said at a relief drive organized by Great Lakes Championship Wrestling, WWE star Adam Scherr, and the Milwaukee Milkmen.

More than 110 volunteers with Samaritan's Purse arrived to cut downed trees, remove debris, and tarp damaged roofs. They're committed to staying until August 21, or longer if needed.

"We have seen lots of houses where trees have gone through the roofs," said Jodie Yoder, senior program manager for the organization's disaster relief team. "We're able to cut those off, get that stuff to the road, and then tarp the roof so that no rain gets in."

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin mobilized trucks on Tuesday, handing out non-perishable goods at Jefferson Park and going door-to-door with water and food. By Thursday, they were delivering fresh produce to affected residents.

The Ripple Effect

The response extends far beyond physical volunteers. A tornado relief fund established by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, United Way Fox Cities, and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation reached nearly half a million dollars by Thursday morning.

That money is already flowing to nonprofits and community organizations providing direct support. Curt Detjen, president of the Community Foundation, said funds started going out to the community the same afternoon.

Even Wisconsin's youngest residents are stepping up. Melissa Jagodinsky from Volunteer Fox Cities has watched children as young as five and six walk through the doors with their parents, ready to help however they can.

Governor Tony Evers activated the Wisconsin National Guard to support recovery efforts after Winnebago County Executive Gordon Hintz requested additional assistance. When disaster strikes, Wisconsin shows up for its neighbors.