Local volunteers head to Dayton to help tornado victims, more volunteers needed

DAYTON, Ohio (WKRC)- Matthew 25: Ministries is trying to make it as easy as possible to get the items tornado victims need. It's offering drive-thru service at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.

Inside a building at the fairgrounds, local volunteers like Trevor Gossett sorted donated goods.

Gossett said he has been volunteering with Matthew 25 for a few years.

"It's great work. It's a lot of fun and you're changing lives. Even right here in your own backyard. It's just an incredible opportunity," Gossett said.

Volunteers continued to show up and many had small children with them. That's something Gossett was happy to see.

"Teaching [kids] to love others, to care for others and to just instill that into them," Gossett said.

Disaster relief coordinator Ben Williams, said the volunteer turnout has been great.

"Anytime we set out a call for a need for volunteers, they rally and they come in full force," Williams said.

But he says they can always use more bodies, more helping hands.

"They can pick up supplies from us and take them directly into the affected areas and help people out. So far, the response has been great. We've had a lot of people coming through picking up supplies. A lot of volunteers helping out," Williams said.

It still looks like a bomb went off where the tornadoes touched down. People are still figuring out what they can save and what's trash. Despite the damage, spirits are high in the area.

It will be weeks and even months before the area starts to return to normal. Until then, volunteers will be needed to offer a helping hand and a smile.