Help Is on the Way
Dyer County Disaster Recovery Relief group is there in times of need

Jack Rogers, rector at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, is also head of the Dyer County Disaster Recovery Relief Organization.

If there’s an emergency in Dyer County, or even far away, the groundwork is in place to aid those affected.

The Dyer County Disaster Recovery Relief Organization was formed in 2002 after a tornado tore through the area, destroying homes, businesses, schools and other structures. The organization helped residents affected by the tornado to get aid and rebuild their homes.

Jack Rogers, rector at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, is the elected president of the relief organization. Rogers says this position has allowed him to realize that good always overcomes evil.

“It’s easy to pull together in Dyersburg because everyone knows one another,” Rogers says.

And when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, Rogers, the local Red Cross office and others here at home were ready. Working together, the local community raised more than $30,000 to help people fleeing that natural disaster. But the help didn’t stop there – churches, companies, indi­viduals, schools and children’s groups continue to donate money, furniture, clothing and food that are distributed to the 130 families who temporarily relocated here, as well as to those who returned to the coast.

“In my wildest dreams I never would have thought Katrina would have such an impact on us,” Rogers says. “But I know this community, and I know how caring it can be. There’s a real spirit of helping people here.”

A “command center” of sorts is still located at St. Mary’s to help the evacuees living locally with everything from job leads to getting medical help. And whenever another disaster strikes the community is ready to help.

“You realize that nothing in life is for granted,” says Rogers. “You pay back kindnesses by showing others kindness.”

Story by Kari K. Ridge
Photo by Greg Emens