Greenfield landed in the world's spotlight on May 21st - when an EF4 tornado rolled through town, leaving behind a mess, tremendous loss and the need for help. Most of it showed up unannounced. (Like the guy Beau Bowman found here - with just a can of paint) <BEAU ASLIVE "HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS HAVE BROUGHT IN THEIR CHAINSAWS, WHEELBARROWS, EVEN DUMP TRUCKS TO HELP THOSE WHO LOST EVERYTHING. BUT ONE MAN WHO TRAVELED FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY SAYS ALL HE NEEDS IS A PRESSURIZED CAN OF PAINT."> <7:37 NAT POP OF SHAKING SPRAY PAINT> He doesn't have the artistic touch of Banksy... <8:33 NAT OF SPRAYING PAINT> But all across Greenfield you can find his masterpieces. <8:56 WIDE SHOT REVEAL OF COWBOY NAT OF SPRAYING PAINT.> <3466 00:44-47"JUST FIND DEBRIS THAT IS FLAT THAT CAN BE SPRAY PAINTED PUT A HEART ON IT."> David Graham-- better known as Cowboy Dave-- is the man with a can. <3466 00:49-52"I GO THROUGH A HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS OF SPRAY PAINT EVERY DISASTER, I DO, IT'S AWESOME I LOVE IT."> The Gaucho from Ohio tours the country following disasters wherever they may strike. <3466 51:07-08"YEP!"> Cowboy Dave, as his name implies, travels light... bringing only his ears, a heart bigger than his hat, and a little bit of skepticism. <3466 57:08-10"THE FIRST QUESTION IS WHO ARE YOU?"> Sleeping in truck, he's been questioned as a looter, a thief, even a drug dealer-- <3466 4:26-28 BEAU:"DO PEOPLE EVER CALL YOU CRAZY?" COWBOY: "ALL THE TIME."> but he sticks around long enough to prove he's just here to help. <3466 57:52-57"THEN THEY SAY 'WHY DO YOU DO THIS' AND I SAY 'BECAUSE YOU'RE WORTH IT' "> <3466 55:35-41"I GOT TIME, I GOT THE FINANCIAL ABILITY. I'VE GOT THE SUPPORT OF MY FAMILY. AND I'VE GOT A HEART."> <3466 55:42-52"I WATCH THINGS ON THE NEWS AND LIKE SOMEBODY SHOULD GO AND HELP. AND EVERYBODY'S BUSY AND I'M LIKE 'I CAN GO!' SO I GO."> On Dave's corner, he spends the day painting messages of hope... <3468 9:34-36"THEY'RE LIKE 'HEY YOU GOT PAINT ON YOUR SHIRT' AND I'M LIKE 'I KNOW!' "> and cheering on the folks working day and night to rebuild... <3466 4:03-06"BLESSING TO YA, THANK YOU!"> ...with a simple little wave. <3466 2:25-33"AND THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO TONIGHT, JUST LET THEM KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE AND HOW MUCH THEY'RE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU! JUST LIKE THAT."> He started his non- profit, Hearts Hurt after the Dawson Springs, Kentucky tornado in 2021, but has volunteered at similar disasters over the last 20 years. Encouraging people to stop for therapeutic chats. <3466 2:34-39"DOESN'T TAKE NO MONEY, DOESN'T TAKE NO TIME. IT JUST HAS TO BE SERIOUS. AND THEY CAN SENSE IT."> <CLEAN UP NAT> Many people in Greenfield need help. <CLEAN UP NAT> Some need extra hands, others need money. <ANOTHER NAT> But whether it's conversation on the corner, or a friendly wave. <NAT: TRUCK DRIVING BY ROCKING CHAIR> We all need to know that someone cares. <3466 59:54-03"AND WHAT I GET FROM THAT IS THE SENSE OF THE WORLD'S NOT AS BAD AS WE'RE HEARING IT IS. POCKETS IS BAD BUT THE WORLD THERE'S SOME GOOD PEOPLE AND I GET TO MEET THEM."
This Is Iowa: Ohio man spreads hope with spray paint after deadly Greenfield tornado
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Updated: 7:25 PM CDT Jun 27, 2024
One man — armed with nothing but a pressurized can of paint — criss-crosses the country to lift up those who've experienced tragedy. Ohio native David Graham, better known as Cowboy Dave, follows disasters wherever they may strike. Graham travels light and spends most of his time painting messages of love and hope and making sure locals see a smiling face. "Just find debris that is flat that can be spray painted, put a heart on it," Graham said. "I go through $150 of spray paint every disaster I do. It's awesome, I love it."Sleeping in his truck, he's been questioned as a suspected looter, thief or even a drug dealer. But it doesn't take long for him to prove he's just here to help."The first question is, 'Who are you?' Then they say, 'Why do you do this?' and I say, 'Because you're worth it,'" Graham said. "I got time, I got the financial ability, I've got the support of my family and I've got a heart." » MORE THIS IS IOWA: Visit the This Is Iowa page on vlog's website and follow the series on FacebookOn a Greenfield corner earlier this month he spent the day painting messages of hope and cheering on the seemingly endless parade of workers driving by his corner.Graham started his nonprofit, Hearts Hurt, after the Dawson Springs, Kentucky, tornado in 2021. He has volunteered at similar disasters over the last 20 years. He encourages people to stop by for therapeutic chats. "Doesn't take no money, doesn't take no time. It just has to be serious and they can sense it," Graham said.Many people in Greenfield need help. Some need extra hands, others need money. But whether it's conversation on the corner, or a friendly wave, everyone needs to know that someone cares. And sometimes all someone needs is a can of paint.More from the June 27, 2024, This Is Iowa episode:This Is Iowa: Perry students turn tragedy of school shooting into lesson of love, support and serviceThis Is Iowa: Greenfield rallies together, showing the 'power of people' after deadly tornadoThis is Iowa: Perry teachers training dogs to be permanent therapy dogs in the district
GREENFIELD, Iowa — One man — armed with nothing but a pressurized can of paint — criss-crosses the country to lift up those who've experienced tragedy.
Ohio native David Graham, better known as Cowboy Dave, follows disasters wherever they may strike. Graham travels light and spends most of his time painting messages of love and hope and making sure locals see a smiling face.
"Just find debris that is flat that can be spray painted, put a heart on it," Graham said. "I go through $150 of spray paint every disaster I do. It's awesome, I love it."
Sleeping in his truck, he's been questioned as a suspected looter, thief or even a drug dealer. But it doesn't take long for him to prove he's just here to help.
"The first question is, 'Who are you?' Then they say, 'Why do you do this?' and I say, 'Because you're worth it,'" Graham said. "I got time, I got the financial ability, I've got the support of my family and I've got a heart."
» MORE THIS IS IOWA: Visit the This Is Iowa page on vlog's website and follow the series on
On a Greenfield corner earlier this month he spent the day painting messages of hope and cheering on the seemingly endless parade of workers driving by his corner.
Graham started his nonprofit, Hearts Hurt, after the Dawson Springs, Kentucky, tornado in 2021. He has volunteered at similar disasters over the last 20 years. He encourages people to stop by for therapeutic chats.
"Doesn't take no money, doesn't take no time. It just has to be serious and they can sense it," Graham said.
Many people in Greenfield need help. Some need extra hands, others need money. But whether it's conversation on the corner, or a friendly wave, everyone needs to know that someone cares.
And sometimes all someone needs is a can of paint.
More from the June 27, 2024, This Is Iowa episode:
