COPPERAS COVE, TX — A community surrounds families that were impacted by Sunday’s tornado that ripped through Copperas Cove.
“I was one of the fortunate ones to not be hit and I have people who I’m very close to out here that got hit. So, I wanted to come back and help with the community,” said Angelica Torres, a Copperas Cove ISD student.
She was one of dozens of classmates who took a trip to the hardest area that was hit to lend a helping hand.
“We’re just trying to see what they need, and if they need help,” said Isabel Petty, a Copperas Cove ISD student.
Officials say 196 homes were damaged in the tornado.
“To just go through and see the citizens recovering and cleaning up their properties and the volunteers that have showed up in that area to show support and lend assistance, is just pretty remarkable,” said Kevin Keller, Copperas Cove Public Information Officer.
Several companies are working to assist homeowners. U-Haul is offering 30 days of free self-storage to victims.
“It’s just what we can do to help them in the time of rebuilding,” said Matthew McMillan, of U-Haul.
Chick-fil-A brought food to volunteers and homeowners on Tuesday.
“We didn't know how we could help, but what we could if we could do anything, we could take food they might be hungry,” said Stephen Kennedy, Chick-fil-A representative.
While there are many ways to give back to the community, those who give their time and talent to help rebuild say it's important to simply offer support.
“It shows that our community can come together during something bad happening, and how we all come together as a community,” said Torres.
