LMR-October_PROOF6

#LMAStrong
Merriam-Webster defines ‘resilient’ as tending to recover
from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. That word has
become all-too-familiar to us as we face the continued
effects of natural disasters that seem to know no
boundaries. In those times when our members need us
the most, we choose we stand, ready to serve, even as
we face the reality of our own road to recovery.
In 2016, over a dozen members of the LMA/RMI family
were directly impacted by flooding, yet the resilience
of this team and the resolve to continue to serve others
ultimately prevailed. Our fellow municipal leagues
from around the country contributed to a GoFundMe
campaign started by the National League of Cities
on behalf of our team. The generosity of so many
individuals, along with the prayers and support, can
never be repaid. Stories like the one below from Mary
Joseph, LaMATS Program Manager, is the reason why we
will continue to pay it forward.
When the electricity went off at 10:30 pm on Saturday night,
August 13, 2016, I was hoping it would not be off for a long time.
Apparently, I had fallen asleep and at 3:30 am, I suddenly woke up.
I thought, well, since I am up, I might as well go upstairs a take a
shower. I had no idea that we were about to be in the middle of a
flood. As I was getting dressed, I felt such an urgency that we had
to get out. My roommate, Crissy, was sound asleep in her room. I
started yelling, “Get up and pack all of your important papers, we
have to leave now.” I still did not know why we had to leave, but
knew it we had to leave NOW. I had not watched the news, so I
didn’t know we were in trouble. Once I opened the door to leave,
I saw the reason…rising water! We barely made it out of the
complex and the road that led to the main highway. It was now
4:00 am.
Since we each had a car, we decided to meet at Whole Foods. At
5:00 am, I called my friends on Jefferson and asked if we could
park in their driveway. They did not even think that was a strange
request! My great friends, Jim and Ginny took us in. We had no
idea that we would be living with them until January 1, 2017 for me
and October 1, 2017 for Crissy.
We were able to see the unit on the following Sunday. The door had
been busted in and our upstairs, which was in great condition, had
been ransacked. Our downstairs had taken on 5 feet of water.
Friends helped us get out all the furniture, appliances and wet stuff.
Two women from California, and 6 men from Georgia helped with
the gutting of the downstairs. A woman, whom I had met the day
before, came to help me pack up the upstairs.
The generosity of people was incredible! I was overwhelmed and
so thankful for everyone’s help. I was also blown away by the
generosity of my family, friends, strangers, the NLC and the LMA (my
employer), with monetary contributions. The main scripture that
As flood waters inundated her home, Amber Jones waded through the
waters with any belongings she could carry.
Volunteers from California and Georgia helped Mary Joseph clear out
damage in her home.
held me together was “He works all things together for good for
those who love Him…”. The goodness of the Lord and the people
who helped me has overcome the evil of those people that had
broken into my unit. They did not get the $50.00 that was under my
bible in a basket.
I was able to sell the unit, gutted and that satisfied my mortgage. I
am now renting a nicer place, in a nicer neighborhood, until I can
decide what will be my next home.
On behalf of Cami Barlow, Amber Jones, Mary Joseph,
Karen White, Candice Rodgers, Anita Tillman, Bettie
Bean, Stephanie Bramlet, Dana Johnson, Ann Phillips,
Molly Smiley, Amanda Paul, Bill Corley, and Edna
Perkins – thank you LMA, NLC and every individual and
organization who not only assisted us, but continue to
help so many others. We are indeed grateful and there is
no doubt that we will remain #LMAStrong!
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LMR | October 2017