Community Comes Together To Rebuild After Fatal Tornado

A group of volunteers, led by local contractor Derrick Baker, came together to make a difference and pick up the pieces in Smithfield after last years tornado leveled homes and killed four people. The weekend was spent constructing a new barn for Don DeGroat, who not only lost the building, but his daughter and granddaughter in the tornado.

Help someone who is hurting if you have the power. It's the most beautiful feeling you will ever know.

Baker says the 'Redneck Barn Raising' was about more than building a barn. "We realize so much more has been restored besides this barn. Faith in humanity. Hope. Laughter. There are no coincidences in this precious life we are given. Cherish those you love & every second you get. Help someone who is hurting if you have the power. It's the most beautiful feeling you will ever know."

The idea came to Baker after he was called to give a roof quote. "When I got to the address the hair on my neck stood up and a lump in my throat grew. I realized I was being asked to rebuild the site where the tornado touched down. He needed some things and didn't really have a lot of money. Seeing his tears as he talked about losing his daughter and granddaughter was enough to know I didn't need his money," says Baker.

Baker is also looking for an artist to create a memorial for those who died in the tornado. It will hang in the new barn being built. Contact Carly Baker at 315-750-6070 or visit the Rebuilding After the Smithfield Tornado Facebook page. You can also contribute to the GoFundMe campaign.

The EF2 tornado with wind speeds of 100-125 mph, touched down in Smithfield last year, killing 35-year-old Kimberly M. Hillard, her 4-month-old daughter Paris Newman, 70-year-old Virginia Warner and 53-year-old Arnie D. Allen.

NEXT: Tornado Kills Four in Madison County