Community members rally to show support, love

— Trisha Benton Cedar County News LAUREL — Community members were shaken by the tragic events that left four people murdered in Laurel last week, but many were stirred to action and leaned into each other to show love and support to the victims' families, the first responders and each other.

First responders — law enforcement including the Nebraska State Patrol, Laurel Po- lice Department and Cedar County Sheri's Oce, and firefighters and rescue personnel from Wayne, Belden and Laurel — continue to be overwhelmed with kindness, generosity and care, said Jodi Thompson, emergency medical technician with Laurel Fire & Emergency Medical Services.

“We responders typically have a hard time accepting help from others, because we are the ones who are trained to be the help- ers," she said. "During this dicult response, we were on the receiving end of people caring for us. It was a blessing to know our community supports us in such a way.”

Local children who were planning a lemonade stand Thursday afternoon were forced to delay their plans one day and then donated their proceeds to first responders. “We wanted to give the funds to a charity of some kind and this kind of fell into our lap,” said Rachel Hansen of Laurel. “There’s no better option than to give it to the local hometown heroes.”

The lemonade stand was set up in front of the Hansens’ home on Second Street in Laurel and was run by Rachel and Tyler Hansen’s children — Eden, 7, and Titus, 5 — along with the children of David and Diana Badley — Reuben, 9, Andre, 8, and Naomi, 6.

Donations are still coming in but the lemonade stand has netted more than $1,000, Rachel Hansen said.

“We had at least 50 people stop by or more but we didn’t keep track; we were busy most of the time,” she said.

The Hansen and Badley children also made cookies and brought them to the fire hall.

“Their words of encouragement were so appreciated,” Thompson said.

The Jesse and Ashley Jelinek children — River, Ryder and Reese — also wanted to contribute to first responders they were seeing out their home’s windows.

So the family ordered pizza and took it right outside to law enforcement who were more than eager to take a bite out of their generosity.

“I was so proud of them,” Ashley Jelinek said. “It was completely their idea. I was so surprised they wanted to do it. My brain was so fried. I didn’t even think. Why didn’t it cross my mind?”

Catholic church member Elaine Wattier opened up the fellowship hall and brought in several pans of bars.

“It was great having an air-conditioned place to go to the restroom, get a bite to eat and for law enforcement to work,” Thompson said.

Doug and Lynette Krie allowed first responders to work from their lawn and use their bathroom. Curt and Renee Saunders provided access to the United Methodist Church in the middle of the night.

Food was provided by Laurel’s Hometown Market and Knuckleheadz Bar. Dennis and Matt Christensen of Laurel set up coolers full of water and stationed them at the working crime scenes. Cedar County Emergency Management brought food and water; Security Bank brought Gatorade and cookies while Susie Koranda organized refreshments.

The Nebraska State Patrol’s Troop B Critical Incident Stress Management volunteer team provided special care to first respond ers.

The list goes on and on. In fact, so many people gave that Thompson is afraid it may be impossible to include everyone but Laurel Fire & EMS is going to strive to send a personal note to each and every one.

“Many people have done things that we didn’t even know about,” she said. “Some of them quietly served in ways we needed, but without us knowing. We thank you, too, whoever you are, for the caring support, the encouraging words and the help you gave the responders.”

Many more people sent up prayers while pastors and chaplains oered spiritual care. About 130 people attended a prayer service hosted by the Laurel-Concord Ministerial Association Saturday night at the Vets Club, lasting about an hour, said the Rev. Matthew Quanbeck of Laurel’s United Lutheran Church.

It was a special time for prayer, sharing thoughts of love and support, and singing hymns of “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and “It is Well with my Soul.”

"Hope in Christ is the only place to find enduring hope when the world seems to be falling apart,” Quanbeck said.

Quanbeck and other local clergy are open to visiting with anyone reeling from last Thursday’s events.

Gene, Janet and Dana Twiford were members of the United Lutheran congregation and its members have stepped up to check on family members and provide meals, he said. Members were also going to reach out to the family of Michele Shankles-Ebeling.

“She wasn’t in the community as long and did not have as many connections but we are concerned about her family, too,” Quanbeck said.

Additional plans have been made for fundraisers, including a burger and hot dog feed set for 5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug.

11, to benefit Laurel Fire & EMS. “We are a strong faith-based, caring, safe and resilient community,” Thompson said. “The good people and the good actions of our community members will prevail through this dicult time."