You can find volunteers from across the country here in Arkansas helping storm survivors recover from the tornadoes that devastated the Natural State in recent months. They're part of a group called Americorps and when they came to Arkansas they had no idea what was in store for them. FOX16 caught up with a group while they were clearing some debris in a Saline County mobile home park damaged in April.
Volunteer Matt Borgman said, "I saw there was a real need in the world for people to just give their time and come out and help."
So he answered the call along with others in the troop from the non-profit volunteer group Americorps. Work hasn't stopped in the months they've been in Arkansas.
Americorps member Audrey McPherson said, "it's amazing how much devastation has occurred in this state with the flooding and the hail and the tornadoes, just that it's here and it's still continuing to happen."
This group is one of several deployed across the state. They're working with FEMA to provide disaster relief wherever it's needed. In addition to physical debris removal, they're compiling a resource book to assist future storm victims.
Borgman said storm victims will "be able to look at and see (for example) this church was really good at taking people in for shelter, this organization was really good for donating food."
For a year of service, members get nearly $5,000 in scholarship money. But they say the true reward lies in helping people in need. Those at the mobile home park say they appreciate the help but there's a long way to go.
Storm survivor Delores Lovell said, "when we look out our front door it looks awful. It's depressing, you know? You come home from work and school and you see trailers that are destroyed."
Matt Borgman believes Americorps volunteers like himself will be there to help until the job is done. "I just wanted to be a part of that and help people and get them the support they need when they get hit by a disaster," Borgman said.
Americorps volunteers also go into schools to educate children on disaster preparedness. Members of the troop we spoke with are heading to Tennessee once they finish up in Arkansas
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