Heroes After the Storm

“After the storm, after friends and family are accounted for, the first things many tornado victims look to recover are family photos and heirlooms.” – The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

I was pleasantly surprised when I recently heard about a few good people who made a concerted and concerned effort to gather photos that were found after a May 22, 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri.  I located this article (http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x2051366642/Sites-set-up-to-link-tornado-victims-with-lost-photos) on the internet when I decided to find out more.



Joplin resident Robbin McPherson reacts tearfully

as she thanks Abi Almandinger, of Carthage,

for the return of a photo of her sons.



One photo hero, Abi Almandinger, set up a Facebook page to reunite tornado victims with lost photos.  When area churches or agencies received photos whose owners weren’t immediately identified in the debris zones, they contacted the site, where many photos and owners have been reunited.

The article describes another Facebook page owner, Angela Walters, a genealogist and preservationist from Pryor, OK, who says, “We always hear, ‘I can replace the house, I can replace the car, but I would give anything for the photos, my family Bible, my grandma’s quilt.’” 

We are hearing more and more about various disasters, unfortunately.  Seems with current technology, we not only hear about those that have happened, but we hear about those that MIGHT happen.  Fortunately, though, advanced technology also allows for better and safer storage of photos and digital images. 

Consider backing up your digital images on a hard drive.  Have slides or films converted to CD/DVD.  Print and store favorite photos in a fire safe or safety deposit box.  There are many ways to better-ensure security of these important keepsakes.  We at JMC are always ready to help so give us a call at (309) 663-4677 or drop by 10 Westport Court in Bloomington.

We hope and pray nothing should ever happen to you and your photos, but encourage you to protect all that you love, including your photos.   

Memories Matter!

Jen at JMC