Disaster relief crews take short break on Memorial Day before full-scale efforts resume

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - In the days following the May 16 tornado, help has poured into St. Louis from across the region and country. Thousands of volunteers have worked tirelessly to assist those impacted. In some cases, they’ve been helping while recovering themselves.

At the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, the storm shattered windows and shook buildings.

“Even our own staff, they were sitting in their offices,” said Urban League President and CEO Michael McMillan, “and windows shattered, and glass was all up upon them,”

“While they were in the midst of dealing with their own trauma, they immediately activated for the community,” McMillan said.

Since then, staff at the Urban League and outside volunteers have spent long hours handing out supplies, helping with cleanup and ing neighbors. On Saturday, the nonprofit organized a massive giveaway at its headquarters at 1408 Kingshighway Blvd., just one of many efforts to reach those hit hardest.

As the emotional and physical toll of recovery work mounts, relief groups are finding small ways to pause.

On Memorial Day, both the Urban League and Action St. Louis scaled back operations. For volunteers, it’s a chance to regroup.

“We actually have a small crew that is out right now doing some cleanup in the community,” McMillan said. “And we are here at the headquarters with a skeleton crew preparing for additional distributions and drop-offs.”

Karissa Anderson-Whitted with Action St. Louis said their team made the call to close a few hours early Monday.

“Since it’s a holiday and since this is the tenth day straight of operations, we’re going to close a couple of hours early,” Anderson-Whitted said.

Both organizations plan to return to full-scale operations on Tuesday. And while the initial disaster response may be slowing, the long-term recovery is just beginning.

“We have to view this as a sprint and a marathon,” McMillan said. “We will be here for as long as it takes.”

The need for volunteers and donations remains urgent. Click here to find out how you can help.

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