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Woman buys out shoe store to help Nebraska flood victims | Woman buys out shoe store to help Nebraska flood victims |
(3 days later) | |
Several Midwestern states are reeling from historic flooding which hit the area a few weeks ago. | Several Midwestern states are reeling from historic flooding which hit the area a few weeks ago. |
Thousands of people have been evacuated, and vast swathes of farmland have been destroyed. | |
For many in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota the recovery effort has been slow and painful, as people return to their homes. | For many in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota the recovery effort has been slow and painful, as people return to their homes. |
As images of submerged farms were broadcast across the country, many looked for ways to help. | As images of submerged farms were broadcast across the country, many looked for ways to help. |
Here are some of the acts of kindness to emerge in the wake of the devastation. | Here are some of the acts of kindness to emerge in the wake of the devastation. |
'Any shoes are better than wet shoes' | 'Any shoes are better than wet shoes' |
When Addy Tritt, 25, noticed her local discount shoe shop was closing down she decided to buy out their entire stock. | When Addy Tritt, 25, noticed her local discount shoe shop was closing down she decided to buy out their entire stock. |
Ms Tritt then donated the 204 pairs of shoes, valued at $6,000 (£4,555), to families affected by the floods. | Ms Tritt then donated the 204 pairs of shoes, valued at $6,000 (£4,555), to families affected by the floods. |
"I wanted them to go to people who actually needed them," Ms Tritt told CBS News. | "I wanted them to go to people who actually needed them," Ms Tritt told CBS News. |
After spending two hours negotiating with the the shop's head office, Ms Tritt paid just $100 (£76) for the entire stock. | After spending two hours negotiating with the the shop's head office, Ms Tritt paid just $100 (£76) for the entire stock. |
Of Ms Tritt's haul, 162 pairs were baby shoes, two were men's shoes and the rest were women's, according to the the Associated Press. | Of Ms Tritt's haul, 162 pairs were baby shoes, two were men's shoes and the rest were women's, according to the the Associated Press. |
"Any shoes are better than wet shoes," Ms Tritt said. "If people feel lost, they should try volunteering and donating. It gives me such fulfilment and I want others to feel the way I do." | "Any shoes are better than wet shoes," Ms Tritt said. "If people feel lost, they should try volunteering and donating. It gives me such fulfilment and I want others to feel the way I do." |
The shoes were part of a shipment to Nebraska farmers organised by a local student agricultural group. | The shoes were part of a shipment to Nebraska farmers organised by a local student agricultural group. |
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts said farmers were some of the worst affected by "the most widespread destruction we have ever seen in our state's history". | Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts said farmers were some of the worst affected by "the most widespread destruction we have ever seen in our state's history". |
'Island hopping in Nebraska!' | 'Island hopping in Nebraska!' |
With many roads in the region made impassable by floodwater, some volunteers took to the skies to rescue stranded residents. | With many roads in the region made impassable by floodwater, some volunteers took to the skies to rescue stranded residents. |
Adam Marshall, has been a private pilot for three years, and when he started to receive calls for help from people trapped in the nearby town of Fremont he fired up his small propeller plane. | Adam Marshall, has been a private pilot for three years, and when he started to receive calls for help from people trapped in the nearby town of Fremont he fired up his small propeller plane. |
Mr Marshall told CNN that he has made more than 30 trips, and described it as "island hopping in Nebraska". | Mr Marshall told CNN that he has made more than 30 trips, and described it as "island hopping in Nebraska". |
"My phone just started blowing up, and I told my wife, 'I think I'm going to be gone for a couple of days'." | "My phone just started blowing up, and I told my wife, 'I think I'm going to be gone for a couple of days'." |
"I transported the entire Midland University dance team to Omaha so they wouldn't miss their commercial flight and a woman named Allie who has five kids and had been cut off from her family," he said. | "I transported the entire Midland University dance team to Omaha so they wouldn't miss their commercial flight and a woman named Allie who has five kids and had been cut off from her family," he said. |
Surrounded by rising floodwaters, Gary Fouraker was rushed to hospital after doctors suspected he had blood clots in his lungs. | Surrounded by rising floodwaters, Gary Fouraker was rushed to hospital after doctors suspected he had blood clots in his lungs. |
However, there was no room for his wife Marcia to travel with him in the helicopter. | However, there was no room for his wife Marcia to travel with him in the helicopter. |
"I've never been scared like I was [at that point]", Ms Fouraker told CNN. "The roads weren't open." | "I've never been scared like I was [at that point]", Ms Fouraker told CNN. "The roads weren't open." |
Mr Marshall came to her rescue, delivering Ms Fouraker to her husband's bedside an hour later. | Mr Marshall came to her rescue, delivering Ms Fouraker to her husband's bedside an hour later. |
"I just really admire the way he, and so many other pilots, have really stepped up to help people," Ms Fouraker said. | "I just really admire the way he, and so many other pilots, have really stepped up to help people," Ms Fouraker said. |
"Most people had a look of relief when they got a ride," Mr Marshall reflected. "I got a lot of hugs the last few days!" | "Most people had a look of relief when they got a ride," Mr Marshall reflected. "I got a lot of hugs the last few days!" |
'I've never escorted hay' | 'I've never escorted hay' |
Derek Jilek, from North Dakota, knew he wanted to help when he saw photos of flooded farms across the Midwest. | Derek Jilek, from North Dakota, knew he wanted to help when he saw photos of flooded farms across the Midwest. |
He posted on Facebook calling on his "farm and ranch neighbours" to donate a few hay bales to those who had been hit by the floods. | He posted on Facebook calling on his "farm and ranch neighbours" to donate a few hay bales to those who had been hit by the floods. |
Vast swathes of farmland were destroyed by the floodwater, and many farmers have struggled to feed their livestock. | |
What started as a small effort to collect donations, turned into a nine truck convoy carrying thousands of dollars worth of farming supplies and equipment. | What started as a small effort to collect donations, turned into a nine truck convoy carrying thousands of dollars worth of farming supplies and equipment. |
"I guess when you're helping or volunteering, I always heard that you do what you know. We know cows and we know trucking, so that's what we did," Mr Jilek told local news station WOWT. | "I guess when you're helping or volunteering, I always heard that you do what you know. We know cows and we know trucking, so that's what we did," Mr Jilek told local news station WOWT. |
The convoy received a police escort for part of the 600 mile (965km) journey, with a new police department taking over as the trucks crossed county boundaries. | The convoy received a police escort for part of the 600 mile (965km) journey, with a new police department taking over as the trucks crossed county boundaries. |
Sgt Dan Kensinger, from the Stark County Sheriff's Department, said, "This was new to me. We've done funeral escorts and various other things. I've never escorted hay." | Sgt Dan Kensinger, from the Stark County Sheriff's Department, said, "This was new to me. We've done funeral escorts and various other things. I've never escorted hay." |
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