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.
Eighteen volunteers — half working on a steep roof in a blizzard — were busy fixing a chimney hole in one house.
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.
Two new minor aftershocks struck the town early Saturday, causing no damage but further frazzling some residents, who say they haven't slept well in 10 days and have trouble regaining their equilibrium.
