Jerry Strange loads disaster emergency supplies he received at the Multi-Agency Resource Center in Rolla, MO after a tornado destroyed his home. Jerry and his wife and daughter received needed assistance from the Red Cross as they recover from the disaster.
By: Kate Walters, American Red Cross
Robyn and Jerry Strange, along with their 16-year-old daughter Ollie, visited the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) in Rolla, MO, seeking support after losing everything in the recent tornadoes that devastated their community. The help they’ve received from the American Red Cross has made a meaningful difference in their recovery.
Since the tornadoes struck, the American Red Cross has been a steady presence in Rolla, providing shelter, delivering meals, and distributing essential supplies to those affected. While the MARC was open for just two days, Red Cross teams have been on the ground since the beginning and will continue helping families like the Stranges as they rebuild.
The family initially sought refuge at a local church, where they enjoyed several hot meals provided by the Red Cross. They later moved to a hotel, bringing with them the supplies they received—hygiene kits, snacks, bottled water, cleaning products, Totes, gloves, tarps, and pet food.
Red Cross volunteer Joe Clabaugh gives a Build-A-Bear stuffed toy to Ollie Strange, 16, who was with her family at the Multi-Agency Resource Center in Rolla, MO after a tornado destroyed their home.
Sixteen-year-old Ollie Strange talks to a Red Cross case worker at the Multi-Agency Resource Center in Rolla, MO where she and her family went after a tornado destroyed their home.
A small but meaningful moment came when Ollie was given a Build-A-Bear stuffed toy, a gift that brought comfort and a much-needed smile during such a challenging time.
The Stranges were especially touched by the care shown to their two beloved dogs—whom they lovingly refer to as “their babies.”
One of the dogs is a trained service animal for Ollie, who lives with a seizure disorder. The inclusion of pet supplies, made possible through the Red Cross’s partnership with The Humane Society at the MARC, was a source of great comfort for the family. That attention to the needs of their furry companions underscored the compassionate and holistic support they received.
Robyn, Jerry, and Ollie expressed heartfelt gratitude for the kindness and care shown to them throughout this difficult time. The services provided have helped them feel supported, hopeful, and a little less alone.
Their story is an example of how the Red Cross and its community partners help people weather the aftermath—not just with supplies, but with genuine compassion. Across Missouri and Arkansas, families like the Stranges face unimaginable loss, but with continued support, they are beginning to find their footing again.
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