WNHNDR

On Sunday, June 20, 2021 (Father’s Day), at approximately 11:10 PM – according to the National Weather Service – an EF-3 tornado hit the communities of Naperville, Woodridge, Darien, Burr Ridge and Willow Springs. The impacts of the tornadoes (estimated to be 3 tornadoes by the NWS) have been devastating on so many levels. The tornado started near the the border of Naperville and Woodridge (Ranchview and 75th Street area), moving swiftly East across Woodridge and hitting homes, apartment and condo buildings, a school and church rectory, neighborhood parks and local businesses.  The devastation was overwhelming and the impacts unimaginable. Our hearts were heavy.  

At first light, the damage was shocking. Seeing all the physical damage, the streets lined with tree branches everywhere and all the bare tree trunks and uprooted trees was incredibly overwhelming. Driving through the streets was difficult and we could see right inside neighborhood homes. So many homes were impacted.  Some only partially standing. The sounds of emergency equipment with their lights going filled the sky as hovering helicopters could be heard overhead.  Emergency First Responders, our dedicated Police, Fire, Public Works, our Park and School Districts and the Emergency Utilities, who are truly our Heroes, were still checking on each neighbor -going door to door.  The destruction was difficult to take in and you couldn't help but feel an enormous shared sense of loss, despair and many tears.  The personal stories and incredible acts of kindness were just beginning and we were so thankful.    

Neighbors were outside their homes in the rain, checking on each other, seeing all the damage, assessing and trying to salvage what they could-if they could.  Within what seemed like minutes, just as the sky became lighter, an outpouring of neighborly (both near and far) care, kindness, compassion and generosity was upon us. People were walking with wagons filled with water, coffee, juice, donuts and some were dropping off meals, gift cards and goodness in droves.  All came to to provide immediate help, care  and much needed HOPE.  Truly amazed but so not surprised by all the kindness.  Throughout the day, more helping hands kept arriving and together we began the arduous, difficult clean-up work.    

The incredible number of helping hands was simply overwhelming.  We felt our hearts filling up.  Right then, we knew we were going to get through this and that we weren't alone.  All the kindness and help truly got us through a very tough day and days that followed - possibly some of the toughest of times for our Neighbors and our community.  We are so grateful because the Spirit of Giving was our Inspiration to go forward.  And, to this day, we continue in this spirit to walk side by side with our neighbors and to help everyone impacted until everyone is back "home".  

We are ever Grateful! Thankful to our Neighbors, for their resilient, strong, caring spirit.  To our community for their resolve to help make a difference.  Together, with the dedication of all the Emergency First Responders, Police and Fire, Public Works, the Village of Woodridge, our Mutual Aid Partners and our Intergovernmental Sister Agencies and all our Recovery Partners, Churches, Service Organizations and Case Management, we are grateful and Woodridge Strong! To all our Volunteers and Helping Hands, our Donors, Businesses, Recovery Organizations, Churches, Friends and Service Organizations because of you, we are Woodridge Stronger Together.  With all of this before us, a genuine grass-roots neighborly outreach organization formed and quickly became Woodridge Neighbors Helping Neighbors, in early July 2021.

Through ongoing good works, neighborly outreach and GIVES our Woodridge Neighbors Helping Neighbors Disaster Recovery, is now an official Organization with a dedicated Board of Directors, Case Management Team and amazing WNHNDR Volunteers.  WNHNDR's mission is to continue to compassionately unite and serve the Woodridge community around disaster recovery and disaster relief.  To mindfully assist our neighbors whose lives have been adversely affected by a recent disaster.  We are proud to share that as of January 2022, our Woodridge Neighbors Helping Neighbors Disaster Recovery, is a 501(c)(3) Organization. 

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Today

Three years later, our work continues.  Currently, several families have not been able to return home and are incurring the burden of paying for alternate housing in addition to their home expenses.  Many who have returned home are struggling to pay for needed repairs after experiencing losses not covered by insurance.

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With the help of our generous donors and volunteers, WNHNDR continues to help our Neighbors, letting them know that they have not been forgotten.  Help is offered in many ways: through food and gas gift cards; food drop-offs; compassionate group giving events; referrals to other nonprofit partners offering a variety of services; other financial assistance; and more.

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Thank you for helping us...we are forever grateful!