Heritage Adventist School Recovers from Tornado

CLAREMORE, OKLA. – When a natural disaster hits a town, that’s when a community shines the brightest. This was especially true for the Claremore, Okla., community that was hit by an EF3 tornado on May 25 at 11:20 p.m.
‍
Heritage Adventist School, located directly behind the Claremore Seventh-day Adventist church, took a direct hit from the tornado, resulting in devastating damage to the building, the loss of a recently built porch and uprooting of three large trees. 

Church member, Monica McGehee, posted on social media that volunteers were needed to help clean up the fallen trees. The conference community service team saw her post and sent a text to the members, asking them to help if they were able. Two days after the tornado, more than 50 volunteers from area churches showed up ready to help with the cleanup.

Church members really took ownership of this project. “We’ll make sure it’s back up in time for school in August,” promised Denise McGehee, an elder at the Claremore church. 

Other members were inspired to run the Burger Barn, a staple eatery at Oklahoma camp meeting, and donate all the proceeds to rebuilding the school. This effort was organized by Joan Rupe, a payroll specialist at the Oklahoma Conference, and was solely run by volunteers. 

“I had a ton of volunteers!” said Rupe. “During the busiest hours, God provided help from kids and adults alike!” The Burger Barn brought in $1,768.85, which was a great help in the rebuilding of the school.

The Claremore church was without a pastor at the time of the tornado, and it’s times like these that can either wreck a church or strengthen it, depending on how the community comes together. We are thrilled to share that, with the help of volunteers, the church school was able to open as planned in August!

‍