Volunteers needed to help cleanup efforts following the tornado in Hillsdale, KS on April 15, 2026. Start time will be about 930AM on the 15th.
This is a SHORT NOTICE need for tomorrow and beyond. Please send Brian a text if you are going to make it.
Meeting location will be at the Hillsdale Community Center at 22795 W 225th St., Hillsdale, KS 66071. Directions will be given by security as you enter town. Be prepared to show your ID.
Brian Mead (phone 859-576-1892) will be on site and will direct crews as assignments are made. Please contact Brian if you have questions.
Nature of work: Debris removal, retrieval of personal effects, possible chain saw work (for LERT chainsaw teams only), picking up metal, wood, bricks and other construction debris, etc. and moving it to the pickup site.
Host congregation is King of Kings Lutheran Church, 306 E. Madison St., Gardner, KS 66030.
Volunteers should be self-sufficient by bringing lunch, snacks, water bottle and any necessary work clothes (sturdy work shoes and gloves and/or mud boots) and equipment or tools for their shift. NO overnight sleeping space is available for this deployment.
Protection Equipment & Gear (PPE):
- Sturdy shoes with a good solid sole & socks - no sandals, flipflops, Hey Dudes or sneakers.
- Long pants
- Long sleeved shirt (recommended)
- Ball cap or hard hat
- Safety glasses/eye protection
- Sturdy work gloves
- Dress in layers as it may be cool starting out and warm up as the day progresses
- Rain gear (recommended)
- Water bottle
- Trash bags (for your own trash)
If your group or team has a first aid kit, bring it with you.
*Any volunteers that show up without registering will be considered spontaneous and will not be permitted to join in the work until volunteer registration is completed.* Please plan to carpool from the Community Center to the work site as parking is very limited.
Background checks are required for all volunteers who will enter residences, retrieve or process personal items, work with youth, or stay at aLERT volunteer host site. The background check is processed through the LCMS LERT system when you sign up for a shift. YOUTH 14-17 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT WHO WILL BE WORKING AT THE SITE.
