Storm leaves amazing stories for many

Some people have a capacity to be so selfless and giving it just amazes me.

When I was talking to Patty Bullion this week, who is the woman responsible for the “Pictures and Documents Found After the April 27, 2011 Tornadoes” Facebook page, I was absolutely blown away by how un-selfish she has been to spend basically all of her time helping people who are complete strangers to her.

Patty lives an hour and a half from Franklin County and doesn’t know any of these residents here personally, but she has been instrumental in returning valuable items to many of our residents who lost everything they had in the tornado.

Since the tornadoes hit, Patty has donated all her time to getting pictures, marriage licenses, old receipts, and whatever else people have found back to their rightful owners. She posts the pictures and documents people have sent her to the Facebook page and even mails many out herself.

I was able to see personally how much the page has meant to Phil Campbell residents Shayna and Andrea Fugate, who I had the privilege of meeting on Friday.

The two sisters and their family lost their home on April 27 but have recovered a few valuable pictures thanks to Bullion’s Facebook page. I also talked to several other people who probably would have never found their lost pictures had it not been for Patty’s page.

Since the page was started, Patty has received recognition nationally for her what she has done, including interviews with People Magazine and the New York Times among others, but she is still humble and still remembers her purpose: helping families who need help more than ever. And she gives all the glory to God, Whom she says is responsible for the miracles taking place through the avenue she created.

Like I said… amazing.

Starting a page like this wouldn’t take very much work, but keeping with it for three weeks and committing to keep with it for a while to come takes real dedication and heart, and I hope Patty knows how much she means to this community that lost so much.

It’s people like Patty (and many, countless others who have given of themselves so freely) who are the heart and soul behind this recovery effort and who will be the reason our community and other communities across the South will be able to rebuild.