Jeff Abell
The Burlington Beacon
June 29, 2023, is a day most people in La Harpe, Ill., won't soon forget.
The sky grew black, heavy with rain that came down in torrents. Wind gusts measuring more than 100 miles per hour tore through the town and rural areas, stripping roofs, snapping tree branches, and crushing metal buildings.
When the dark clouds lifted and the derecho passed, the light of hope shone brightly, fueled by acts of kindness, big and small.
Scenes of neighbor helping neighbor played out numerous times, not just in La Harpe but throughout the area. An army of volunteers cleared yards littered with debris and tree branches. Business owners and citizens donated food items and vital supplies.
On July 3, I paid a visit to the nerve center of the local relief effort, the La Harpe Christian Church, where meals were made available to residents, many without power for days.
Inside this makeshift relief headquarters, area residents gathered for walking tacos and camaraderie. Volunteers, who had served about 550 for lunch earlier that day, were cheerfully filling plates for hungry and tired residents.
Children played on a pallet of water as what should have been a somber tone gave way to lively fellowship. Seated at tables or milling in hallways, town residents discussed storm cleanup. They also chatted about their plans for the Fourth of July.
No storm could dampen the patriotism and pride felt by La Harpe residents. Despite the storm's impact on some events, the fireworks show went on without a hitch.
Chatting with volunteers, Marvin Gittings, 72, of rural Lomax, Ill., said the storm that hit La Harpe was the worst he had ever seen since moving to the area in 1987. He called it a "mess" and praised the community for coming together.
"There is so much love in this community, but that is how small towns are — community first. These people opened their hearts and their doors to their neighbors. It makes me proud to be from a small town," Gittings said.
La Harpe resident and volunteer Monica Crim said everyone has pitched in where there has been a need. City crews and volunteers worked to remove tree branches that filled yards and littered the streets.
Volunteers gave rides, served meals, and doled out essential supplies as efficiently as a well-oiled machine. But this wasn't a surprise for Crim, who said the community always comes together in times of need.
"This has been a community effort, and it has been amazing to watch," Crim said, crediting La Harpe Christian Church and the "Love La Harpe" Facebook group for helping lead the relief effort.
Liz McCarter of La Harpe Christian Church said the outpouring of assistance has been heartening and was quick to praise the support from neighboring communities. And to pay that generosity forward, surplus donated food items will be given to area food pantries and the Food for Thoughts program, which provides weekend food packages for students experiencing food insecurity.
As I left the church, a woman exiting behind me said she was thankful for her community, adding, "There is so much love here — my heart is full. Love thy neighbor — God bless this town."