From Deseret News archives:
Wells gets wealth of volunteer assistance
This was the "Nevada Mormon Helping Hands Project," in wake of the Feb. 21 earthquake in Wells, which probably affected all of the town's approximate 1,600 residents in some way.
Members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from two Elko stakes and the West Wendover District, as well as 50 members from Utah and some from other faiths, too, worked as volunteers in the city's most affected areas Saturday.
"It's overwhelming," Wells Mayor Rusty Tybo said of the volunteers. He predicted a positive outcome for the community, despite the tedious process of recovery.
Repairing roofs, some damaged by the 80 chimneys that fell, was the day's top priority. There were 20 licensed building contractors in town, too all volunteer who ensured roofs, plumbing and electrical projects were conducted safely and properly.
"It's good to see so many people together," Katie Beresford, a volunteer from Elko, said as she unloaded a wheelbarrow of damaged shingles into a truck.
"I think this is great when people are in a time of need," said Derek Beresford, her father.
Volunteers overall were cleaning, removing rubble, helping residents, distributing food and performing other necessary tasks.
Especially hard hit was the owner of the Soap Box, the only laundromat in town. Her residence adjacent to the laundromat was unlivable and her separate rental house in the rear was being demolished by a crew of six men.
A half-dozen young women and their leader mopped and swept the laundromat, simply to make the owner feel better.
"I think it's cool," said Ashley Jarman, 14, of Wells. "We're pulling together."
Laura Wilson came from Lehi to offer help. Working near the town's hardware store, she helped replace the glass in broken picture frames that residents brought in.
Remata Speir of Wells brought several pictures in to be fixed.
"We had a lot of glass damage," she said. However, she noted one rather miraculous picture to survive the quake her framed Manti LDS Temple picture flew across the room during the first shocks but remained completely undamaged. She was married in that temple.
Recent comments
My grandson and his mother live in Wells both came out in good shape....
H. Barr | March 6, 2008 at 5:30 a.m.
What about next Saturday, will more help be needed?
Wanna Help | March 2, 2008 at 9:36 p.m.
Was a great day. A lot of work was done and help helped.
Robert Johnson | March 2, 2008 at 9:08 p.m.
- Former safety chief enters guilty plea 12:11 a.m.
- Chief agent named for S.L. FBI office 12:11 a.m.
- BYU soccer incident still popular 12:04 a.m.
- We need answers from Hasan 12:02 a.m.
- Interpreting Buffett's bet 12:01 a.m.
- Editorial: Education still a priority? 12:01 a.m.
- Letters: Expand sex education 12:01 a.m.
- Letters: Mayor has it wrong 12:01 a.m.
- Letters: Term 'Latino' misused 12:01 a.m.
- Letters: Oil violence 12:01 a.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- GOP blasts Matheson after vote
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- House passes health care bill
228 - TCU showdown has big implications
183 - Lobo suspended
182 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
118 - Thousands protest health bill
114 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
97 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...
I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...
hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...
play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...
I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...
That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...
I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...
I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...
BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...
i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!


