Standing on his front porch, Carlos Pineda recounted the instinctual drive that led him home, only to find his 11-year residence reduced to a jumble of debris behind him. Amidst the wreckage, fragments of cherished memories lingered—a tricycle, a toy dinosaur, a puzzle piece—evoking a loss too profound for his children to grasp.
“My daughter broke down in tears in her room, asking, ‘What happened to my bedroom?’” shared Pineda, referring to his 9-year-old daughter.
Last weekend, Pineda was at work when the tornado struck, but his wife and four children managed to escape moments before the devastation unfolded. Tragically, their neighbors weren’t as fortunate, with one family hurled 50 feet from their home, including a newborn baby. While some sustained injuries, they all survived, their resilience evidenced by their determination to begin the arduous process of cleanup.
“We’ve been tirelessly cleaning since this happened, yet it still feels like we haven’t made a dent,” lamented Pineda.
However, support from organizations like Cooke County Volunteer Organizations Assisting in Disaster (VOAD) has been a lifeline. Co-chair Bekki Jones emphasized the invaluable contribution of over 506 volunteers, who collectively dedicated 2,663 hours to aid the community. Donations poured in relentlessly, from essentials like food and toiletries to emotional support, symbolized by stuffed animals for children.
Jones underscored the ongoing need for supplies, including shop rags, heavy-duty tarps, gloves, bug spray, sunscreen, and safety goggles for cleanup efforts. Additionally, VOAD facilitates registration for families seeking state and federal assistance, ensuring they receive the support they need to navigate the recovery process.
Despite concerted efforts to rebuild, the community remains forever altered, marked by a cross commemorating the lives lost in the calamity. Pineda’s heart aches for his neighbors, particularly one man who suffered injuries and lost his wife and two children.
Amid the tragedy, Pineda finds solace in the embrace of his own family. “We’re just grateful to be alive, and that’s all that matters right now,” he affirmed, holding his loved ones a little tighter.
