One month after an EF-3 tornado ravaged the Vermeer Mile, the corporation announced Monday they are back to full staff.
Vermeer had 100 percent of the employees who worked prior to July 19th back and in operation, with most of their plants reopened. Plants 5 and 6 — which were hit directly, remain closed, but the equipment and employees there have been spread to other facilities on the mile.
One local organization stepped up in the meantime to help those impacted by the storm with short-term and long-term needs. Jayson Henry with The Well in Pella reports approximately 1000 people came to their facility over the last month, with assistance ranging from house payments, groceries, fuel, and living expenses, to unemployment application help, and counseling services for those emotionally and spiritually impacted.
“We have had tremendous response, and first and foremost, I think about the folks that have been affected by the tornado,” he says. “Within the first couple of weeks of the incident happening, we saw just over 900 people come through our doors that were looking for help and assistance.”
Henry says The Well was overwhelmed by the generosity of those from area communities and beyond, who made donations of money and time to support people affected.