Tornado creates ‘twist’ of events for local fundraiser

Porsha Gray, Arena Sports Grill’s assistant manager, was excited on May 22. That day was to be the culmination of all the hard work and time she had spent getting other local businesses involved to help raise money for the troops. 

At best, she was hoping to raise a $1,000 for care packages through a car wash and a raffle, featuring gift certificates and donated services from businesses in town. She had some “butterflies” that the day “would be a dud,” and that no one would show up.

Her efforts were more successful than Gray could ever have hoped, with over $1200 dollars donated plus six boxes of canned food for the local food bank. The totals had Gray in tears.

“We gathered everyone who had been working, and I just couldn’t believe it,” said Gray. “We were exhausted, but, to hear how much money we raised, it gave me this burst of energy and even though I had tears in my eyes, I wanted to celebrate.”

Her celebration was short-lived as she received news that, 1,200 miles away in Joplin, Mo., a massive tornado had ripped through the town where she once lived. The destruction and Armageddon-like images have been all over the news; 139 are confirmed dead, and over 100 are still unaccounted for.  

Gray went to high school in Joplin. Her daughters Kiley, 10, and Kaitlyn, 9, were born there. The hospital where her mom beat cancer was ripped to shreds. Gray went from an emotional high to an emotional low as she began to call friends. Through Facebook she was able to connect with most of them.

Gray described her feeling of relief mixed with a sense of guilt. Despite the physical exhaustion, she spent a sleepless night as she sought more information. The next day she called the mayor of Joplin to ask what she could do. She was told no entry was being permitted into the area, and time off from work and travel costs weren’t affordable for her either.

In the meantime, Gray has been trying to figure out how to help those in Joplin.

“They have to rebuild an entire community, and they don’t even know where to start,” said Gray. “It’s difficult to talk to my friends over there about it. I want to be there for them, but at the same time, I am thankful that I am here, and my daughters are safe.”

Gray also talked about the difficulties explaining to her daughters what happened to the town they once lived in.

“I can’t explain what happened to them. Especially because, the day of the car wash, I was trying to teach them about how helping the community helps you; that there’s an inner reward you get,” said Gray. “That feeling that you did something good is something to be proud of, and I thought it was going to be something that would last. I feel now I have to do more. It’s been very difficult being on the sidelines not knowing what to do. And, anyone that knows me, they know I’m not one that can sit back and accept things. ”

In the Midwest the tornado death toll for this year is at 520, the deadliest year since 1953 according to the National Weather Service. Joplin alone had 900 injuries and an estimated 8,000 homes and buildings were destroyed. 

Gray will continue to explore ways she can help, and hopes Maricopans can help her with their ideas.

“I won’t give up thinking about it,” said Gray. “The idea will come, and, hopefully, everyone in Maricopa will help as much as they did before.”

Both the Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.org) and the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org) are taking donations for tornado victims.