Group looks to spread message of faith while helping Hot Springs Village rebuild after tornado
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, Ark. – Clean-up efforts are ongoing in Hot Springs Village after last week’s tornado, with support for the rebuilding coming from around Arkansas and the rest of the country.
Edward and Rachel Oechsner are one of the many families recovering. Marlene Orr, Edward’s mother, came from Bryant to help and said receiving the call from her son was something she dreaded.
“When they came outside in the morning, they were just devastated,” Orr said, adding that the night was even more terrifying. “That night was rather harrowing with my daughter-in-law not being home and having to climb through trees and the woods to get here to be with her family.”
Hot Springs Village family describes tree almost falling on them during Thursday tornado
Orr said the family is now back to work and slightly relieved after finding out Gideon Rescue Company was stepping in to help.
“When I called my daughter-in-law and said, ‘There are people here that would like to help,’ and she said ‘Just find out how much they’re going to charge,’” she recalled.
To their surprise, there was no charge, just a rescue group who had traveled everywhere from Ukraine to Los Angeles and now in Hot Springs Village to help.
Kory Medell, vice president for Gideon Rescue Company, said his team is happy to take a load off families.
“It can be really stressful for these residents, what they go through in dealing with the cost of recovering everything” Medell explained.
He believes his group has a very specific calling in these times of need – release the financial burden from families while restoring hope.
Residents in Hot Springs Village continue cleanup efforts after EF-2 tornado
“The help that we give, it comes in the name of Christ,” Medell said. “So if you receive the help, be knowledgeable about where it comes from.”
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