Planning meeting scheduled for Joplin Walk of Unity

(From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin has announced a meeting for civic and community organizations who wish to be involved in helping with the one-year tornado anniversary events.  This meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18^th, in the Basement Conference Room of Joplin City Hall, 602 South Main.

“The Walk of Unity will cover a distance across the community that will require the help of many people,” said Patrick Tuttle, Director of the Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau and a member of the planning committee. “We invite volunteer representatives to this meeting to learn about various tasks throughout the day that their volunteer groups could provide assistance. During this meeting we want to learn which groups have an interest to help and how they would like to be involved in this historical day.”

The one-year anniversary includes a Walk of Unity with several activities being planned along the route. Groups or individuals can help with these events, as noted above, or they may choose to take part in the events and the walk by joining the anticipated large crowds of people participating.  It is not necessary to attend the meeting if attending the walk and events. Organizers do encourage participating groups in the walk to wear identifying shirts if possible, to demonstrate the unity of the numerous groups who have all been a part of Joplin’s recovery.

“We have heard from some groups that they may do both – help with the events, and then have a contingency of their members walking to represent them as well,” said City Manager Mark Rohr. “We just want everyone to know they are welcome to attend the anniversary events and participate however they feel most comfortable, whether that is working and volunteering, or by walking. It will be nice to have everyone unite on this day – because that sense of unity is the strength and effort that has gotten us this far, and will continue to keep us moving forward.”

The Walk of Unity will provide an opportunity for anyone to join in a walk across much of the devastated area either along the entire route or in part from where they were one year ago.  Three planned stops will also provide meaningful events commemorating the recovery taking place in Joplin. These stops represent three of the various facets impacted by the tornado, including the faith-based community, schools, and the children and families in our community.

For more information about the meeting call 417-625-4789.