FHU Students Aid in Storm Cleanup in Selmer, Tennessee

Several Freed-Hardeman students answered the call to serve by traveling to nearby Selmer, Tennessee, after an EF-3 tornado devastated the community. The students brought prayers, supplies and assistance clearing debris and downed trees in early April. The storm that affected Selmer and the West Tennessee region was part of the severe weather system that caused record flooding from rainfall during the week of April 2 through April 7.

FHU Associate Vice President for University Advancement Adam Cross led the FHU Disaster Response Group as the staff coordinator, along with Tucker Cates, Michael Moon and Nathan Thomas, who were student coordinators.

“The cleanup work in Selmer went really well. So many from FHU and the Henderson community showed up the two days we went. Also, my contacts did a great job in connecting us to families in need. The local people went above and beyond to provide food and water to volunteers,” Cross said.

Students helped in the cleanup efforts on New Bethel and Dancer Roads. John Luke Rodgers, a freshman, came straight from his class to help. “We moved a bunch of logs and I felt happy to be able to serve,” he said.

Student volunteers help in clean-up efforts after severe storms in Selmer.

Luke Gibbs, a senior, operated a skid steer to clear out large areas of the field. “We knew Selmer had been hit pretty bad and was close to us, and we had the means to actually help someone, so we did by removing tree debris in community members’ yards.”

Josh Waffird, an FHU alumnus, helped clear out debris the day of, as well as delivering supplies around the city. “I went to bed around 6 a.m. after going back out around 4 p.m.,” he said. “I started back out early that morning to help clear trees from roadways and deliver supplies to workers. I spent two days aiding relief workers to allow them to continue working as well as delivering supplies to those affected.”

Many students worked for hours to volunteer their time.

The Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team helped organize the relief work. Cates added that the FHU community, with its roughly 2,000 students, is always ready to help out in times of crisis. “There is always just so much work to be done, so it’s really easy to organize it since we just need hands to work,” Cates said.

According to its website, the mission of COCDRT is “to bring the Good News of the Gospel to disaster survivors. . . . Therefore, we commit ourselves to work with the local congregations to effectively and efficiently serve disaster survivors in Christ's name so they will find truth and hope.” Visit churchesofchristdrt.org for more information or to find ways to help.