The tornado on May 16 that ravaged sections of the St. Louis area was on the ground for merely 24 minutes. The recovery process may span months, if not years. Various teams from Washington University in St. Louis, along with numerous staff and students, have stepped up to assist through services and contributions — demonstrating WashU’s dedication to St. Louis.

Here are some of their narratives, collaborating with local nonprofit organizations leading the recovery efforts, as well as details on how to get involved.

Assisting local nonprofits with ‘boots on the ground’

The most effective way to participate in the recovery initiative is to volunteer through one of the many community organizations, noted Lisa Weingarth, senior advisor to the chancellor and executive director of the “In St. Louis, For St. Louis” program. Her team is maintaining a website with opportunities for the WashU community to contribute.

The United Way Volunteer Center also offers chances for groups of three or more to volunteer, according to Weingarth.

Numerous university teams have already jumped in to assist. In the days right after the tornado hit, Weingarth’s “In St. Louis, For St. Louis” initiative collaborated with Delmar Divine nonprofit partners to clean up the nearby neighborhoods.

Similarly, on May 20, a group of volunteers from the Brown School, comprising 12 students, two alumni, and four faculty members, joined local relief activities at the People’s Response Hub, a recovery project established by Action St. Louis and For the Culture STL, located at the YMCA O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex. The volunteers were coordinated by Molly Metzger, a senior lecturer at the Brown School. Learn more about their efforts here.

“Action St. Louis and For the Culture have organized hundreds of volunteers to distribute food and supplies to affected community members and clear debris throughout the northern region. Donations can be dropped off or volunteers can assist any day of the week,” stated Hannah Allee, interim director of the Brown School Evaluation Center.

Volunteers can drop in to assist from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every day at the O’Fallon Park YMCA, Allee mentioned. Contributions of water, nonperishable food, heavy-duty trash bags, and other supplies can be delivered there as well.

Additionally, Heather Hageman, director of the WashU Medicine Community Engagement Hub and the Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education on the Medical Campus, joined several WashU students for an evening packing session for Power4STL, which hosts two programs: St. Louis’ BRIC (Bullet Related Injury Clinic) program and The T, a holistic harm-reduction initiative.

Stephanie Reynolds, from BRIC, mentioned that the organization strives to be responsive to the community’s shifting needs. The group has temporarily co-located at Fountain Park in north St. Louis, alongside other local organizations to distribute food, water, and supplies.

“Power4STL offers mental wellness support and somatic healing, spiritual care, a space for rest, medical assistance, and a charging station,” Reynolds stated. People can donate to Power4STL here. Their upcoming monthly volunteer night is set for June 23.

Matt Bernstine, director of the Sam Fox School’s Office for Socially Engaged Practice (OSEP), reported that his team has been active at the 4theVille site, volunteering with Invest STL and 4theVille. He mentioned that the office is guiding people to volunteer through a form available on the OSEP webpage.

‘What we witnessed was reminiscent of entire neighborhoods that were obliterated from the recent Palisades and Eaton Canyon wildfires. It’s not merely one house or one church. It’s block after block after block.’

Rachel Cartmell

Other faculty members and students felt urged to take action after experiencing the storm’s destruction firsthand.

“It’s tremendously difficult to comprehend the sheer devastation unless you witness it with your own eyes,” stated Rachel Cartmell, assistant vice chancellor for advancement communications at WashU.

“Pictures don’t convey the reality. We relocated from the Los Angeles area over three years ago. We have friends and family residing there. What we encountered reminded me of the entire neighborhoods obliterated by the recent Palisades and Eaton Canyon wildfires. It’s not just one house or one church. It’s block after block after block.”

Cartmell volunteered in The Ville and Greater Ville neighborhoods alongside her husband, Tim, and their daughter, Lucia, a nursing student in the School of Continuing & Professional Studies at WashU. They collectively delivered donations, assisted with the cleanup, and facilitated volunteer efforts. She hopes other WashU employees and students will lend a hand as well.

Elisha Akli, an accountant from Ghana pursuing a master’s degree in accounting at WashU’s Olin Business School, also felt compelled to volunteer after seeing the destruction in north St. Louis via social media.

“I came across a post by Mrs. Cheryl Walker — an African American woman who has been immensely supportive to me and many other international students from Africa since I arrived in the U.S. — depicting the damage to some of her properties in the north city, a severely impacted area.

I quickly contacted her to inquire about how I could assist. She replied enthusiastically and even drove me from my residence so we could volunteer together, joining other organized groups and individuals already engaged in the area.

Akli mentioned that this experience has had a profound effect on her.

“In a society often marked by division and a focus on self, it was refreshing to be involved in a movement that was generous, cohesive, and profoundly compassionate,” Akli shared. “North City is primarily a Black neighborhood, yet I observed individuals from various backgrounds, many of whom were white, collaborating to support those impacted. There was no bias, no racial separation. Just people exchanging tools, energy, and ideas with a shared aim: to provide relief and rekindle hope. It served as a reminder of the finest qualities of humanity — what is achievable when we view one another simply as individuals in need and those who care.”

Urban League Contributions

For individuals who are unable to volunteer or wish to contribute further, the WashU Police Department is collaborating with the Urban League of Greater St. Louis to gather in-kind donations.

“The community has come together to support the St. Louis area affected by the tornado,” remarked Angela Coonce, chief of the WashU Police Department. “We are making two to three trips daily to deliver truckloads of items generously donated by our community.”

The following items can be delivered to the police station on the Danforth Campus, located at 6615 Shepley Dr., which is always accessible:

General Items

• Tarpaulins
• Flashlights
• Work gloves
• Batteries
• Duct tape
• Portable charging units

Food and Beverages

• Bottled water
• Gatorade
• Peanut butter
• Canned chicken and tuna
• Canned soups (pop-top)
• Oatmeal
• Crackers
• Trail mix
• Packaged snacks

Baby and Hygiene Items

• Infant formula
• Diapers and wipes
• Toothbrushes
• Soap
• Shampoo

For more opportunities to volunteer and contribute, please check the St. Louis government website.

Lastly, WashU Human Resources is hosting a webpage with resources for those affected by the storm. Visit the site to find more information, including community assistance from numerous local and national organizations.

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