By Mark Buckley
Through My Eyes
At least once in everyone’s life, we have a life-changing experience. Mine came in May of 2007, when I received a phone call from my friend Marcia Stevens, regional director of the Wichita State Small Business Development Center, to ask if I would go to Greensburg and help with its recovery. She informed me that I was asked because I had helped after the 1991 Andover and 1999 Haysville tornadoes.
I remember that 90-mile drive to Greensburg, and I arrived at the beautifully manicured golf course, untouched state roadside park, and numerous intact buildings. I thought to myself, “This is going to be an easy assignment.” Then I turned south onto Pine Street, and all I saw was the shell of the courthouse, a damaged Dillons, a bank building, and the co-op. To the west, there was heavy machinery moving rubble that was once the city of Greensburg. 90% of the town had been destroyed by an EF-5 tornado.
I walked up to the FEMA camp outside of the courthouse, where the Secretary of Commerce Dave Kerr (not to be confused with Reno County’s Dave Kerr) was waiting for me. As I looked at the devastation, I told him I could not help as it was too overwhelming. He put his long, thin arm around me and said I was all Kansas had, as I knew the federal alphabet soup (SBA, USDA, FEMA, etc.).
If I stayed until the week’s end, he would find someone to replace me. So, I activated my Blackberry phone, unpacked my computer, and went to work. I had created a program where destroyed businesses could develop a renewed cash flow, income statement, balance sheet, and proper business ratios for their destroyed business to be used by SBA and FEMA for their relief programs.
At day’s end, there were about 20 to 30 people waiting for my services. I could not have them standing in the sun another day, so I handed out my business cards, numbered with a return time on them.
As I approached the last couple of the day, I remember asking the couple to come forward. The husband turned to me and said I should help the frail elderly lady behind them, and they would be happy to return the next day. He further explained that all they had lost was their business, home, and farm. I remember laughing inside when I responded, “Mister, what else could you have lost?” He composed himself, and with sad eyes he said, “She lost her husband.” I have never felt so low in my life. At that time, I understood why I was there. To help the loving and compassionate people of Greensburg.
Important deadlines would come, and the people of Greensburg always found a way to meet the challenge. School Superintendent Darin Headrick worked fearlessly with his teachers and staff to put the grade and high schools back together. Mobile classrooms were ordered, desks, chairs and supplies purchased, athletic equipment acquired. All the teachers took a break from putting their own lives back in order and unselfishly went to work preparing their new temporary facilities. School started right on time, Aug. 18.
In December, the local Rotary club faced the challenge of producing the annual lighted Christmas parade. The one thing missing, Santa. You see, the local Santa moved away after the tornado to be closer to his children. No one else in the group had a suit or experience. I served as Santa for downtown Hutchinson and volunteered to take his place. On Dec. 2, Geneva Nisly and I packed our Santa supplies and drove the 90-mile trip to Greensburg. It was a cold, dark, moonless night. We changed in my “office,” a temporary trailer on US 54. It was pitch-black, and there weren’t any street lights. On top of this, I forgot my flashlight.
The float was a small one-axle flatbed trailer pulled by Tom Corn’s red pickup truck. The trailer was unlevel and unstable. I held onto Geneva because every time we hit a dip, we almost fell off. I wondered to myself, why am I here when I could be in my warm home watching TV. Then it happened as we rounded the corner onto Main Street; a small boy shouted to his mother, “Look, Mama, Santa didn’t forget us.”
On the ride home we didn’t need the car’s heater as our hearts were warmed with the satisfaction of bringing Christmas hope and love to the children of Greensburg.
There are many stories in the recovery of Greensburg, and I could write all night. Oh, as you can see I didn’t stay for one week but for eight years. Why? Because of the wonderful people of Greensburg whom I can say I had the privilege to serve.
Mark Buckley is the president of Toy Depot. He can be reached at 620-474-6100.