Long Creek, IL (WAND) – In 2025, an EF-2 tornado ripped through Long Creek, ripping the roofs off multiple homes, just days after Christmas.

However, in the wake of this destruction, the community showed up to help.

The state chapter of Odd Fellows donated $5,000 to help families with food and shelter.

Scott Flannery, past Noble Grand of the Mt Zion Odd Fellows chapter, said it was their duty to help.

“One of our key tenets is that we relieve the distress. A lot of people were distressed that night, and we were happy to give anything we could. We give our time, we give our energy. We’ll give our resources,” he said.

Although the debris has been cleared away, the destroyed homes serve as a reminder of the destruction that day.