Lincoln community unites in the face of tragedies

While here at college, it is vital to keep spirits high. In the midst of stress, classes and tests it is easy to forget that there is still good in the world! Here are two stories that remind us of the good right here in the city of Lincoln.

A Car Show in Loving Memory

Rod Phelps was a longtime resident of Lincoln who passed away a year ago in August. In honor of his memory, his friends held a car show in his name. Rod participated in nearly every car club in Lincoln prior to his death. Larry Reifschneider, one of Rod’s friends who had known him since his school days, said that “Rod was a fella that if you had trouble with anything he would help you out and he was a good, good car guy.”

Rescuing Dogs from Ida

Hurricane Ida recently hit the south, devastating communities in Louisiana. A group of Union’s IRR students traveled there to help. 

A Union IRR student helping in the effort to provide aid stated, “Some of the people here are saying that in Grand Isle the damage from hurricane Ida is worse than it was from Hurricane Katrina. Power lines are down and there is debris everywhere. In Grand Isle, almost every home was affected by the storm. The town was deemed inhabitable. IRR was requested by the mayor to respond to the area. We have been tarping homes in order to prevent more water damage. Though the people of Grand Isle have been through a lot, they have been nothing but kind to us and have shown their resiliency as a town.”

Lincoln has also been able to provide help. Rescuers on Team Zeus from the Capital Humane Society were able to send six dogs back to Lincoln from Louisiana last Monday. They were saved, received medical attention and are available for adoption. 

By TJ Pittenger