April 12, 2009
After a day of devastating wildfires across the state of Oklahoma, citizens are banding together to assist one another. Neighbors are helping each other sift through rubble, churches are opening their doors to those who have lost homes, civic groups are passing out food and water to families and firefighters.
As communities begin to pick up the pieces, news stations are reporting on stories of people who found out they could not go home from work from their neighbors’ phone calls. Stories are also emerging of neighbors that rescued people’s pets or knocked on their doors to get them out of their houses.
It’s just another example of the classic Oklahoma hospitality. So many of us have been here before. Too many people in the state have experienced ice storms, tornados and wildfires before. Yet we always see citizens pouring out their support immediately, from donations of money and supplies to lending a hand to clean up the mess left behind.
Where else in the nation do you hear of neighbors having each other’s phone numbers and calling to inform them of evacuations? Where else can you hear about churches passing out homemade sandwiches and bottled water to families as they sift through their burnt homes?
Oklahoma citizens set an incredible and inspiring example for America. All citizens should aspire to have the open communication, friendliness and willingness to help those in need that Oklahomans exhibit after each and every disaster that strikes.
Good job Oklahoma, keep up the hospitality.
Elise Johnston/The Daily
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