����vlog

2024 HAS BEEN A HARD YEAR. <BREATH. TOUGH. IT'S BEEN TOUGH.> BUT AS SOON AS PERRY LANDED IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT, GENEROSITY POURED IN.. <IT SHOWS THAT PEOPLE CARE.> JUST LIKE IT DID WHEN GREENFIELD'S TORNADO TRAPPED DENNIS AND SOMEONE SAVED HIM. <AND WE DON'T KNOW WHO IT WAS.> NO ONE KNEW COWBOY DAVE EITHER. <3466 57:08-10"THE FIRST QUESTION IS WHO ARE YOU?"> A STRANGER WHO WANTED TO HELP. JUST LIKE THE OUT-OF-TOWNERS WHO FILLED A CHURCH WITH GIFTS. <TAKE THESE OUT SWEETHEART...> WHEN HEADLINES TURN BAD, IOWANS SHOW UP. <SMALL TOWN AMERICA. THAT'S WHAT WE DO.> THIS IS IOWA. Here in Perry, the year's been filled with tragic headlines. People around the world watched as this community were shocked to find out about a shooting in their school in January. Then, just a few months later and a few miles down the road, Greenfield was in the world's headlines when they got hit by an EF-4 tornado that leveled homes and killed four people. In both cases, the towns were shocked to land in the spotlight. And it's been hard to process what happened in just a few minutes. But in both cases, after the national news crews left, neighbors showed up - to grieve, recover and just listen. Here in Perry, every teacher and every student has felt the love. <TABLES BANGING.> A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDED-- <CUTTING WRAPPING.> PERRY MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM WAS BUZZING. <THIS IS THEIR PAPERWORK.> GETTING READY FOR ONE MORE LESSON. <DROPPING BOX.> <SEALERS BANGING.> <SCOOPING AGAINST BAG.> <LAUGH.> IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, PAYBACKS CAN BE ROUGH. <YOUR HEAD MIGHT BE TOO BIG.> BUT NOT THIS TIME. <WE'RE PACKAGING 20- THOUSAND MEALS TODAY.> BECAUSE THIS BEEHIVE OF TEENAGE ACTIVITY-- <AHHH - I CAN NOT GET THESE ON.> (gloves covered) IS LANDING AT THE END OF A YEAR THAT'S BEEN FILLED WITH SO MANY TEARS. <BREATH. TOUGH. IT'S BEEN TOUGH.> <IT WAS CRAZY, TO BE HONEST. THERE'S NO WAY IT COULD NOT BE.> EVERY MIDDLE SCHOOLER IN PERRY HAS BEEN PEPPERED WITH WELL-MEANING QUESTIONS SINCE JANUARY 3RD'S TRAGEDY THAT UNFOLDED JUST DOWN THE HALL FROM HERE. <THEY USUALLY ASK ME IF I WAS HERE THAT DAY. THEN ASK IF I'M OK.> AFTER THE SCHOOL SHOOTING IN THEIR BUILDING, MANY HERE WERE NOT. <BOX DROPPING.> <IT'S BEEN HARD FEELING LIKE I CAN COME TO SCHOOL. OR THAT I SHOULD. AND I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE HAVE STRUGGLED WITH FEELING CONFIDENT AFTER WHAT HAPPENED. BUT WITH PEOPLE HELPING US, WE HAVE COME A LONG WAYS.> THAT HELP SHE'S TALKING ABOUT SHOWED UP ON TEACHERS' DESKS THE FIRST DAY THEY RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL. <JUST THIS LITTLE POSEY GAVE THEM A LITTLE BRIGHTNESS FOR THE START OF THEIR DAY.> STUDENTS FELT THAT SAME LOVE WHEN THEY RETURNED. WITH BANNERS DECLARING (CLIP 2947) 'YOU ARE STRONG' AND (CLIP 2954) 'MUCH LOVE TO PERRY' FROM NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS. THEN? <WE GOT VALENTINE'S NOTES IN FEBRUARY.> WHEN WAUKEE SECOND GRADERS TURNED THEIR WRITING LESSONS- - <ON THE BOARD, YOU'LL SEE "DEAR PERRY SCHOOLS.> INTO LOVE LETTERS. <THEIR SCHOOL IS GOING THROUGH A LOT OF THINGS. SO WE'RE JUST TRYING TO MAKE THEM FEEL BETTER.> THE KIDS FROM A HALF HOUR AWAY DROPPED OFF THOSE NOTES IN PERRY - WITH A GIFT FROM SUGAR CREEK'S P-T-O. <$5400. OH. THAT IS SO GENEROUS.> THE ONLY INSTRUCTION? USE IT TO SPREAD JOY-- <THERE'S THE SNOW CONES! THERE'S THE SNOW CONES!> WHICH PULLED INTO PERRY IN A COLORFUL TRUCK A FEW WEEKS LATER. <ICE SCOOP.> <ICE CRUSHING.> <THEY GOT CHERRY. THEY GOT CHERRY.> BY THE TIME THE SNOW CONE TRUCK HAD CLASSES LINING UP IN MAY, PERRY'S ELEMENTARY KIDS WERE MORE FOCUSED ON THE FLAVORS-- <I'M GOING TO DO VANILLA ACTUALLY. AND (:01 PP) ACTUALLY, NO, STRAWBERRY KIWI.> THAN THEY REASON THEY WERE HERE. WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY STRANGERS FLOODED THE TOWN WITH HUNDREDS OF CUPS OF ICY LOVE.. <WE KNOW THAT THEY NEVER WANT TO EXPERIENCE WHAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED. BUT WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE HERE. AND THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING FOR US AND THAT'S BIG. THAT'S HUGE.> POWERFUL ENOUGH TO TURN FEAR INTO TOOTHLESS EXCITEMENT. <UM, PURPLE.> AND, BACK AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, MAKE IT OK -- <LAUGHING.> TO JUST BE A TEENAGER AGAIN. <EVERYONE DESERVES KINDNESS AND WE SHOULD ALL HELP EACH OTHER.> <SEALER BUZZ.> EXACTLY WHY, AFTER A SEMESTER OF GETTING LOVE, PERRY'S STUDENTS ARE THE ONES GIVING - PAYING IT FORWARD TO KIDS FROM AROUND THE WORLD THEY'LL NEVER MEET, PACKAGING MEALS FROM THE HEARTLAND. <IT'S SO AMAZING THAT WE CAN DO IT AND SUPPORT OTHERS THE WAY THEY HAVE SUPPORTED US.> <THEY CAN GIVE BACK AND ALSO HELP AND SUPPORT OTHERS WHO MAY BE IN A TIME OF NEED LIKE THEY WERE A FEW SHORT MONTHS AGO.> EVERYONE IN PERRY WILL TELL YOU 2024'S BEEN A TOUGH YEAR. <YEAH.> BUT THE LESSONS IN THESE HALLWAYS DIDN'T STOP WHEN AND THE GENEROSITY WILL CONTINUE NEXT FALL - WHEN A COUPLE NEW BLUEJAYS SETTLE IN. <CLIP 3534 TIME 16:41:33 "THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OUR SCHOOL NEEDS. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF TRAGEDY."> WE'LL VISIT SUMMER SCHOOL FOR THE LITTLE ONES GETTING READY TO ROAM THE HALLS. AND THEN, WE'RE HEADED TO GREENFIELD. <WE STARTED THE DAY WITH A HOUSE AND CARS. WE ENDED THE AND THE GENEROSITY WILL CONTINUE NEXT FALL - WHEN A COUPLE NEW BLUEJAYS SETTLE IN. <CLIP 3534 TIME 16:41:33 "THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OUR SCHOOL NEEDS. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF TRAGEDY."> WE'LL VISIT SUMMER SCHOOL FOR THE LITTLE ONES GETTING READY TO ROAM THE HALLS. AND THEN, WE'RE HEADED TO GREENFIELD. <WE STARTED THE DAY WITH A HOUSE AND CARS. WE ENDED THE DAY HOMELESS AND NO CARS.> THE GENEROSITY THAT SHOWED UP AS SOON AS THE TORNADO LEFT TOWN. THIS IS IOWA. In Perry's hallways, conversations have been tough and tears have been flowing all year. Unless Miracle's around. The therapy dog from Wisconsin who also helped Uvalde, Texas' kids, spent three weeks in Perry, helping the kids here open up. But the students here will need to keep working through their feelings next year too. And ����vlog's Opehlie Jacobson got a sneak peek at the new helpers that can't wait to comfort kids. Taking the first steps ---- <CLIP 2760 TIME 15:52:03 "YOU GUYS CAN COME ON IN."> when trying something new can be scary. But with the right guidance and mindset ---- <CLIP 2759 TIME 15:49:34 "THEY'RE EXCITABLE, THEY'RE TRAINABLE, THEY LOVE WORKING."> anything is possible. The saying you can't teach an old dog new tricks doesn't apply here. <CLIP 2759 TIME15:49:21 "THEY'RE THE CUTEST LITTLE THINGS RIGHT NOW."> These pups love learning. <CLIP 2765 TIME 15:57:41 "WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON THE PLACE COMMAND."> At Dog Training Elite, repetition works. <CLIP 2765 TIME 15:58:58 "YOU'RE GOING TO REPEAT THAT UNTIL YOU GET ALL FOUR PAWS ON.'> Commands are said over <CLIP 2768 TIME 16:00:07 "PLACE YES PLACE."> and over <CLIP 2768 TIME 15:59:37 "PLACE, PLACE, PLACE."> and over again <CLIP 2777 TIME 15:50:49 "PLACE, PLACE, YES."> until it just becomes second nature. These dogs have a one- hour session every Friday. The hope is that one day ---- <CLIP 2759 TIME 15:45:40 "OH MY GOSH."> they'll take these skills to the classroom. <CLIP 2759 TIME 15:46:57 "KNOWING THAT I'M MAKING A SMALL IMPACT TO THIS SCHOOL HAS REALLY JUST MADE EVERYTHING GREAT."> <CLIP 3534 TIME 13:36:53 "SIT...GOOD."> Meet Kona ----- <CLIP 3534 TIME 13:36:54 "GOOD SIT YES."> and <CLIP 3530 TIME 16:12:23 "CARING, LOVING, RAMBUNCTIOUS."> Sunshine Shimmer. <CLIP 3530 TIME 16:12:27 "JUST LIKE HER MOM."> The dogs are only a couple months old --- <CLIP 3530 TIME 16:09:26 "BRATTY THREES. THAT'S WHERE SHIMMER IS OUT RIGHT NOW."> and have no problem showing their age. <CLIP 3534 TIME 16:36:29 "WHAT DID YOU GET IN YOUR MOUTH HONEY?"> But soon - --- <CLIP 3534 TIME 16:36:32 YEAH I DON'T THINK THAT'S SOMETHING YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE."> they'll be well-behaved members of the Perry Community School District. Angie Beaudet and Codi Allen are both teachers at Perry Middle School. They're spending their own time ---- <CLIP 3534 TIME 16:35:49 "IT'S A FULL TIME JOB."> and money <CLIP 3530 TIME 16:12:38 "THAT'S COMING OUT OF MY OWN POCKET, YEAH."> training Kona and Shimmer to get a Canine Good Citizen license. That certification will allow them to be in THESE hallways permanently. <CLIP 3534 TIME 16:41:33 "THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OUR SCHOOL NEEDS. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF TRAGEDY."> The same hallway where the deadly school shooting happened six months ago. <CLIP 3530 TIME 16:11:08 "IT'S BEEN REALLY HARD NOT TO SEE THE SMILES."> Once the dogs are certified --- <CLIP 3534 TIME 16:37:37 "SHE'LL BE HERE EVERY DAY."> they'll be at school five days a week. Starting on the first day of school this fall --- <CLIP 3536 TIME 16:48:37 "IT'S GOING BE AN EMOTIONAL DAY FOR SURE. I DEFINITELY AM GOING TO CRY."> the two labs will work side by side with students. <CLIP 3530 TIME 16:04:45 " KIDS THAT HAVE DIFFICULTY READINGS, IF THEY READ TO AN ANIMAL, IT KIND OF BRINGS UP THEIR READING SCORES."> Helping students heal --- <CLIP 3538 TIME 16:52:33 "HEEL KONA. HEEL YES."> by teaching the dogs how to HEEL. And even gaining a new best friend in the process. Wherever Allen and Beaudet go --- Kona and Shimmer follow. <CLIP 3564 TIME 18:17:25 NAT POP OF GAME"> <CLIP 3534 TIME 16:39:45 "SHE'S ATTENDED SOME BALL GAMES JUST TO GET USED TO DIFFERENT NOISES AND CROWDS AND DESENSITIZING."> even to the ballgame. Except ---- it's not the dogs playing catch. It's the dogs watching the Perry softball team play ball --- <CLIP 3568 TIME 18:21:22 "GOOD GIRL."> from the bleachers. Being in THIS environment, is another key part of the dogs' training. <CLIP 3571 TIME 18:22:50 "THIS IS HER FIRST TIME ON A BLEACHER SO I'M SURPRISED SHE'S DOING SO WELL WITH ALL OF THE NOISE AND STUFF AND ALL OF THE CHEERING."> The animals are also getting their first taste ----- <CLIP 3570 TIME 18:22:12 NAT OF DOG DRINKING WATER> of being around people of all ages <CLIP 3546 TIME 18:00:52 "ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE THIS ONE IN SCHOOL NEXT YEAR TOO?"> and meeting their soon- to-be classmates. <CLIP 3545 TIME 18:00:05 "THEY HELP ME RELAX AND NOT THINK ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON AROUND."> The dogs will be able to be with students at all three of Perry's schools. <CLIP 3694 TIME18:48:40 "KONA'S GOING TO GIVE YOU KISSES! (KIDS SQUEAL)"> And they'll be able to help As the recovery continues here in Perry, it's just really getting started down the road in Greenfield. <CRUNCH.> WHERE SOME ROLLED IN WITH HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND OTHERS-- <8:33 NAT OF SPRAYING PAINT> BROUGHT PAINT. <3466 55:42-52"I WATCH THINGS ON THE NEWS AND LIKE SOMEBODY SHOULD GO AND HELP.> THE LOVE SHOWN TO IOWANS LEFT WITH NOTHING. THIS IS IOWA 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."> And sometimes all you need is a can of paint. WANT PROOF THAT GENEROSITY MAKES A DIFFERENCE? <IT'S UNBELIEVABLE. CRIES.> WAIT UNTIL YOU HEAR FROM THE SURVIVORS. <IT LIFTED RIGHT AS IT GOT TO US OR WE MIGHT HAVE GONE WITH IT.> THE EMOTIONS OF CLEANUP ARE POWERFUL. BUT THAT'S NOTHING COMPARED TO THE GRATITUDE FOR GENEROSITY FROM COMPLETE STRANGERS. THIS IS IOWA. <IN GREENFIELD THIS USED TO BE A NEIGHBORHOOD. NOW ALL THAT'S LEFT ARE PILES OF DEBRIS WEEKS LATER. BUT THE ONLY THING MORE POWERFUL THAN AN EF- 4 TORNADO IS THE POWER OF PEOPLE HELPING EACH OTHER THROUGH THIS DISASTER.> The sound of precious belongings turned to trash - echos in Greenfield. <WE WERE DEAD CENTER ON THE TORNADO GOING THROUGH HERE.> Retired Chaplan Gary Freeland and his wife Roseann made it to their basement - <THEN SECONDS LATER...WHOMP! AND YOU KNEW THE ROOF WAS GONE. AND THEN IT WAS DONE AND THAT CONCRETE RAISED AT THE SAME TIME.> - and then crawled out to see total devastation. <(POINTING) THE CONCRETE OVER THERE HAD ONE LITTLE CLOSET ON IT THAT WAS STANDING.> Their house - now a gaping hole. Surrounded by dusty debris. <WE STARTED THE DAY WITH A HOUSE AND CARS. WE ENDED THE DAY HOMELESS AND NO CARS. YEAH, NO BED. ALL WE HAD WAS GOD AND IT WAS THE MOST PEACEFUL FEELING I HAD THROUGH THE WHOLE THING.> Despite losing it all - They find peace in the miracles from that day <IT LIFTED RIGHT AS IT GOT TO US OR WE MIGHT HAVE GONE WITH IT.> And the tiny treasures that are resurrected. <THERE YOU GO. GRAB IT. GRAB IT. GOOD JOB HONEY!> Like this photo that doesn't belong to them - A discovery speckled in dirt - that sparks joy. <I WOULD BE REALLY EXCITED IF I FOUND A PICTURE OF MY KIDS AGAIN SOMEWHERE.> That picture of a chubby cheeked baby - now joins hundreds of lost photos here at United Methodist Church in Greenfield. Each one tells a story - memories of fishing trips and smiling sisters. <IN HERE WE HAVE KLEENEX, CLEANING SUPPLIES WHICH PEOPLE NEED...BATTERIES, LAUNDRY DETERGENT, TRASH BAGS...> In the next room... supplies are ready for whoever needs them. Church pews hold stacks of donated clothes - <TAKE THESE OUT SWEETHEART...> And families with the tiniest tornado survivors - can stop by áthisá room for help. <THEY DON'T WANT TO COME IN BECAUSE THEY THINK OTHER PEOPLE ARE WORSE OFF THAN THEY ARE. AND SO THEY COME IN AND SEE WHAT WE HAVE, AND SO IT'S LIKE WOW CAN I HAVE SOME OF THIS AND WE'RE LIKE YES! TAKE AS MUCH AS YOU NEED AND COME BACK.> Connie Lundy is the retired elementary school principal - She now leads the army of volunteers. <YOU GREET PEOPLE AS YOU COME IN. YOU SHOW THEN WHERE THINGS ARE. IF WE DON'T HAVE SOMETHING WE TRY TO FIND IT. THERE WAS A WOMAN IN TODAY THAT WE JUST SAT AND TALKED, AND THAT WAS NICE.> A listening ear and a warm meal - <GO UP THERE TO YOUR RIGHT AND THAT'S WHERE YOU CAN EAT.> Are therapy here in Greenfield. A free lunch is served nearly every day - With little helpers doing the work - <I TOLD YOU I COULD DO IT.> To bring smiles to people who no longer have a kitchen to eat in. <DO YOU WANT CHEESE ON YOUR SLOPPY JOE?> Dennis Kreis is blind - and barely made it out of the tornado alive. <THE MYSTERY PART IS SOMEONE GOT DOWN WITH ME IN THAT BASEMENT AND WE DON'T KNOW WHO IT WAS, BUT HE HELPED ME GET UP ON A COUNTER AND THE OTHER GUYS SAID STICK YOUR HANDS UP AND WE WILL PULL YOU UP OUT OF HERE.> People he didn't even know rescued him from the rubble - Something that still brings tears to his eyes .. weeks later. <IT'S UNBELIEVABLE. (CRIES) THE FIRST PERSON THAT HOLLERED AT ME...I DIDN'T KNOW HIM EITHER. (PAUSE) QUITE AN ORDEAL.> <NATS OF UNLOADING TRUCK.> Acts of service by complete strangers are everywhere in Greenfield. <THAT'S AWESOME!> Like this truck load of donations coming in daily from church congregations across the state. <THESE ARE VERY NICE BROOMS. VERY NICE BROOMS. WE CAN START TAKING THESE IN.> The supplies never end - and neither does the compassion that's handed out with them. <IF YOU JUST WANT TO COME BACK AND TALK. I WILL SIT WITH YOU.> Stories of survival are important to share - <SMALL TOWN AMERICA. THAT'S WHAT WE DO.> And so are the stories of heroes - <I SHOT ACROSS THE STREET...> Like Russ Armstrong. Who is so humble, he won't even tell you he saved four people. <IT WASN'T JUST ME. THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE.> Including one woman he didn't recognize. <I UNCOVERED HER AND PULLED THE RUBBLE AWAY FROM HER EXPECTING THE WORST ANYWAY.> He knelt down and reassured her he would stay by her side. <STAY CALM. WE WILL FIND YOU HELP. THERE IS PEOPLE AROUND. WE ARE GOING TO GET YOU OUT OF HERE.> A moment of humanity - with nothing expected in return. <IT'S JUST THE HUMAN THING TO DO. WE CARE FOR PEOPLE AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. THAT'S WHAT WE DO HERE.> While the devastation here is great - The work of helpers is even greater. <HE TOLD ME THE OTHER NIGHT HE SAID WE NEED TO WRITE DOWN ALL THESE NAMES OF ALL THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE HELPING YOU, AND I'M LIKE HONEY I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHO ALL THESE ANGELS ARE THAT HAVE HELPED US. I MEAN HUNDREDS. THAT'S WHY I JUST CALL THEM ANGELS ALL WEEK BECAUSE THEY JUST SHOW UP.> Showing up for strangers in any way possible. Is what Iowans do - even in disaster. <WE HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED BY SO MANY. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY.> And that's why the Freelands plan to stay. <WE WANT TO REBUILD HERE.> Because Greenfield is not gone. <WE WILL RECOVER. WE'LL RECOVER. IT'S JUST GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME.> Just forever changed, and perhaps even stronger thanks to so many helpers. <WE'LL COME BACK. WE'LL COME BACK.> The cleanup here in Greenfield and the recovery process in Perry will take years. And it's painful in both communities. But they also say the generosity that's still flowing into town after the tragedies is powerful. A reminder of the impact friends and strangers can have on life's toughest days. I'm Eric Hanson. This is Iowa.