Lion’s Club aids Glen Allen after tornado

On April 5, a deadly tornado ripped through the village of Glen Allen in neighboring Bollinger County, killing five, injuring five more, and causing widespread destruction.
As cleanup efforts began, many Perry County residents, perhaps thinking back to 2017 — when a deadly EF-4 tornado ripped a 15-mile path through the northern part of the county before jumping the Mississippi River and continuing on for 35 more miles into Illinois and leaving one dead — were ready to lend a hand.
In the wake of the 2017 tornado, the Perryville Lions Club received donations intended to help aid county residents who lost their homes in the storm. The club held on to the remainder of that money, $1,000, in case of later need. Last Friday, they found that need.
"We got donations to help the survivors and to buy stuff for them," said Perryville Lions Club treasurer and past district governor Scott Sattler. "We had $1,000 left over and we've been holding it in our account. With the tornado in Glen Allen, we decided to donate it to the Patton Lions Club because they are helping with recovery there."
Sattler met with Patton Lions Club membership chair and fellow past district governor John Preston last Friday to present the check.
"This $1,000 is part of a larger grant," Preston said. "We're just the administrators. What we're going to do is we're going to go out and we're going to buy needed supplies — you know, generators, extension cords, blankets and tarps and dry goods and towels and whatever that community needs through a needs assessment, short term and long term. We will use these funds to buy that. It's going to be in a warehouse and people come in. 'What do you need? Oh, you need a sweatshirt? Yeah, I got seven of them. What size?' And give it to them and go, 'You need work gloves. I've got work gloves. Go.'
"We'll just keep doing that until we run out and then we'll go out, we'll get more funds, more supplies and get them back on their feet."
Sattler said the Perryville club was making plans for work days to help recovery efforts in Glen Allen in much the same way as the Patton club lent a hand in 2017.

"This is a good use," Sattler said of the donation, "and then we're probably going to do some workdays where our club will come and help them just like they came and helped Perryville."
There's plenty to do, Preston said.
"It was worse than Perryville," Preston said. "Much worse. Glen Allen is a community struggling in income, and unfortunately, a lot of the folks down there are living day-to-day. I would guess that the majority of those homes are uninsured. These people are living in their vehicles. I know of one family that slept in their truck, and the 56-year-old woman just came through a kidney transplant and she's supposed to be on medical supplies, oxygen in her home right now, and we can't supply that because she has no electricity. It's horrible."
The Glen Allen tornado touched down at approximately 3:30 a.m. Wednesday and moved through part of Bollinger County, uprooting trees and destroying homes. First responders reported that at least 12 structures were destroyed and dozens more damaged, primarily in Glen Allen and the nearby community of Grassy.
Preston said those who wish to help shouldn't hesitate.
"They have to go to the Woodlands School just west of Marble Hill and sign up as a volunteer, bring heavy boots and gloves, and make sure you've got a good back, because it is backbreaking work. It's not just Glen Allen. It's surrounding communities. Grassy is the same way and north of Marble Hill. When that tornado hit, it walked a long time. It took out a lot of people, a lot of homes."
A multi-agency resource center has been established for those impacted by the tornado at the Bollinger County Health Center in Marble Hill. Those seeking assistance are asked to bring proof of address and a photo ID. Meals will be provided, along with insurance information, legal services, food stamp replacement service, health and wellness services, emergency financial assistance, gift cards and more.
For more information about the relief efforts led by the Patton Lions Club, contact Preston at 636-288-7295.
"That's what Lions do," Preston said. "We serve."