GRMC employee ‘trying to create some kind of normal’ in Joplin

Christy Smith of Creston has lived the emotional toll of ground zero in Joplin, Mo.

She’s wept with complete strangers who’ve lost everyone they knew or everything they owned, fought through the haze of air pollution swirling over Joplin, searched through piles of rubble, too often finding residents — dead — their limbs protruding from the wreckage.

“It’s been an emotional roller coaster since May,” Smith said.

As of today, more than 150 people were killed in an F4 tornado that ripped through Joplin. Six were friends of Smith, who lived nearly 10 years in Joplin, working as a campus life coordinator at Crowder College.

Home

Smith, who currently works as a switchboard registration manager at Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, has spent no more than four days away from the city she once called home since the tornado.

“It’s tough to be here when so many of my friends in Joplin need help right now,” Smith said.

She’s had full support from staff at GRMC. Smith left work Monday morning after the tornado struck and returned Thursday only to post the work schedule at GRMC.

Since then, she’s loaded her Kia Soul three times with goods and materials donated from employees at GRMC.

“The people at Greater Regional are so kind,” Smith said. “Every department has donated something. I’ve had people give me money, gift cards, had people cook for my family while I’m away, wash my car, pay for gas. The destruction in Joplin took my breath away, but the humanity and number of people willing to give donations or volunteer has been equally breathtaking.”

Smith has also received tremendous support from her church, Abundant Life Family Church in Creston. Combined, members of GRMC and Abundant Life helped fill a 15-cargo truck full of items including underwear, socks, can openers, diapers, trash bags, etc.

Today

Smith and her mother Cathi Mahurin organized another drive 9 a.m. to noon today in the Dollar General parking lot, trying to fill another 15-foot cargo truck. The primary needs right now include bras (38D and up) and manual can openers. (To see a complete list, see info box above)

“We want to create some kind of normal for people in Joplin,” Smith said. “When I’ve helped my friends start their new lives and I have that inner peace, I’ll be done helping in Joplin, but at this point I don’t know when that will be.”