A service group that travels the country providing disaster relief spent time in Meridian teaming up with local volunteers to help rebuild and restore what was lost in the April 2018 tornado. 

The Mennonite Disaster Service is a group of volunteers that provides disaster relief efforts in the U.S. and Canada. It has members in Macon, but volunteers can come from all across the country. 

A group of volunteers arrived in Meridian last week to help those who were affected by the EF2 tornado that hit residents of Lauderdale County and Marion in April of 2018. That specific EF2, which had estimated wind speeds of 115 mph and uprooted trees, destroyed power lines and damaged about 200 homes and businesses.

According to Kim Waters, a member of the Partners In Recovery Long Term Disaster Recovery Committee, many people don’t realize that last year’s devastation is still affecting some residents. 

“We still have homes in our area that need to be repaired that can’t be lived in, or they live in and are leaking water,” said Waters. “The MDS is one group of volunteers that volunteered to provide free labor for these people that need help.”

Waters estimated that more 20 homes were damaged by the tornado. One residence was destroyed, making that project a complete rebuild.

The need for assistance is especially dire for elderly people who often have fixed incomes and need help getting back on their feet.

MDS members who are part of the Amish community in Indiana traveled to Meridian to lend a hand.

Waters said these volunteers gave willingly to help people in need during the holiday season.

“They were on break and used their vacation and holiday time to come here and work on some of our homes,” she said.

Larry Miller is a member of the MDS, and says the relief efforts the group provides are unique.

“Historically we’re (Mennonites) different from other Protestants because we don’t do war, we like to do peace,” said Miller. “It’s our response to doing something very important for the country in lieu of doing military stuff that would violate our conscience.”

According to Miller, the MDS is exceptional due to its large pool of volunteers and its ability to delegate 90 percent of funds to actual service, and only 10 percent toward administration, a number, he says, not many relief efforts can duplicate.

“Our national office has a hotline to recruit volunteers,” said Miller. “We draw the funds and chip in free labor.”

Although the MDS has done valuable work in Meridian, there is a still a need for volunteers and donations to help pay for skilled electricians and other workers. 

To volunteer your time, food services or professional expertise, call 601-696-3035. To donate to the Lauderdale Co. Disaster Relief Fund, mail a check to CFEM at P.O. Box 865 Meridian, MS 39302, or go online to CFEM.org.