MacMurray pitches in to help

     Jacksonville – The very severe weather that recently struck central Illinois affected several communities in and around the Jacksonville area. MacMurray College was lucky to have been spared any damage from tornadoes as the storm spared Jacksonville the destruction in its path.

     But the MacMurray community wanted to do something to help those affected by the tornadoes that swept through late Sunday, March 12, and early Monday morning, March 13. So, several members decided to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

     Athletic Director Kevin Haslam initiated a volunteer effort and contacted the Village of New Berlin to see what he could do to help. Those coordinating the clean-up efforts there welcomed any assistance and quickly found work for the MacMurray volunteers.

     With several staff and students, Coach Haslam and his crew set about clearing debris from around the New Berlin Elementary School. The affects of the storm were very evident there. Insulation was blown all around the athletic field, a dugout had crumpled to the ground, the metal bleachers resembled a pretzel. Nearby, the Catholic church was missing a big chunk of its roof.

     All around the village, residents could be seen clearing branches and debris. Life was getting back to normal though there was no electricity yet for almost all of the residents who live there. And, in the midst of it, MacMurray’s small force of volunteers doing their part to help.