Bolingbrook HS Ambassadors Clean Up Tornado-Ravaged Farm in Washington, IL

Getting together after helping clear debris on a tornado-stricken farm in Washington, IL are (back row, from left) Bolingbrook High School Student Ambassadors Nick Cosme, chaperone Raquel Banuelos, Ambassador Sponsor Julie Mueller, James Odame, Jessica Aboagye, Lauren Harris, Emma Hoyt, Devin Oliver, and Joshua Fox, and (front row from left) Angel Johnson, Holly Beeter, farm owner Allison Montgomery, Kayla Lottie, and Natalie Dominguez. Submitted by Valley View School District.

Bolingbrook High School’s Student Ambassadors have returned from “an experience like no other” helping with the ongoing cleanup of the Washington, IL area that was devastated by a tornado almost a year ago.

“Honestly, there is no combination of words that could explain our experience in Washington because it truly was a life changing experience,” said Natalie Dominguez, President of Student Ambassadors.

Arranged through Bethany Community Church, the Oct. 25 visit involved helping a Washington couple, Alison and Bob Montgomery, clean their farm which is still littered with debris from other homes destroyed by the tornado. The group helped clean the east pit of their farm land in the morning and pulled debris from around their new home in the afternoon.

“Alison told us the story of their farm land and how this horrible storm destroyed decades of family history and ripped apart their home,” Dominguez said, adding she shared stories of what it was like during the tornado and the devastation the whole town felt. “We have never met such a strong and caring person with so much love, especially after going through such a devastating experience.
Upon returning home, Dominguez and the BHS Student Ambassadors embarked on a public awareness campaign to alert the Bolingbrook and Romeoville communities about the plight Washington, IL residents still face a year later.

“It is very important that people realize that they still need help out there. Alison and Bob must pay for dumpsters they use to hold debris. Right now they are at $10,000 in just dumpster expense,” the student ambassadors president said. “It is not fair that people who have lost so much and are still suffering have to pay all that money for debris removal.”

The Montgomerys have a Facebook page called “Rebuilding 1322” that includes pictures of the progress they’ve made since the tornado hit their town.

Donations may be sent to Bob and Allison Montgomery, 1322 North Maine Street, Washington, 61571

The cleanup of Washington has been put on hold until spring. Bethany Community Church will accept volunteers by contacting Debbie at 309-573-2670.