Two young groups answer call for tornado cleanup

Once again we've been reminded that while every tragedy takes a toll, it also reveals character.

The violent storms that ripped through Southeast Missouri and several parts of Illinois a couple of weeks ago destroyed several homes and in some areas in Illinois shredded towns and took lives.

More locally, the Kelly High football team as a group went into various parts of Scott County and helped clean up storm damage. As many as 35 football players spent hours helping clean a couple of houses and a field.

Meanwhile, more than 100 students from Southeast Missouri State University took a weekend trip to Washington, Ill., a mid-Illinois town that took the biggest blow from the storms.

Nick Maddock, president of the interfraternity council, first asked his Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity brothers to go with him, and about 10 volunteered. Shortly thereafter, word spread on social media and other fraternities' volunteers joined the cause until there were more than 100 people signed up to go and more than $3,500 raised for relief efforts.

Maddock previously organized cleanup efforts in Sunset Hill, Mo., a few years ago and two trips to Joplin, Mo. He called the missions "life-changing."

Our prayers remain with those affected by the tornadoes. And our thanks go to the individuals who answer the call when people need help.