In the wake of the tragedy of the May 22 tornado and storms in Joplin, Missouri, the forecast has been considerably sunnier on this side as Missouri citizens and organizations from all over have come to help support in various ways as the city attempts to rebuild and recover. Part of that entourage came Thursday as new Missouri men’s basketball head coach Frank Haith and 14 other Mizzou staff came to bring aid and support.
Haith drove down yesterday to hand out children’s supplies, stuffed animals and the like, and stayed with the survivors of the storms for a while to hear about their experience. He stated, “The sight of neighbor helping neighbor serves as inspiration for us all. We can’t change what happened on Sunday night, but if we can make life a little easier, you better believe we are going to try and do it.”
It’s a spirit that Eliza Smiths says is found throughout the state, both around Joplin as people come to help, as well as the fundraisers and benefits happening all over. In her column for the Columbia Missourian, she details the proceeds from concerts, blood drives and even a tattoo shop donating its profits for a day.
In addition, the Joplin Globe also reports that Mizzou has sold over 6,000 support shirts for $14.95 each that read “One State. One Spirit. One Mizzou.” It’s another aspect of the community spirit across the state of Missouri in response to the chaos in and around Joplin.