PLEASANT HILL, Iowa — Whenever a natural disaster hits, Gideon Rescue Company packs up and hits the road to help where it can. Now, the group is in Iowa, helping to clean up after storms ripped through the state Friday night.
"Actually, we were on our way to Omaha, we were coming down from Michigan and we were going to go through Omaha, but the tornado kept coming this way and by the time we got to Des Moines, it hit Des Moines," said Dylan McWilliams, a rescue technician with Gideon Rescue Company.
Members of the nonprofit go across the world to help out following tornadoes, hurricanes and even the war in Ukraine.
"It's really amazing to like, when we show up to help somebody, pretty soon their neighbors are out there helping them too and it's just an endless chain," Dylan said.
The organization has had law enforcement and fire departments join in its volunteer efforts, but the community is what keeps the group going.
"The people that have been really appreciative of all the help, just excited that we're here helping no charge and just kind of showing love," said Kari McWilliams, a member of Gideon Rescue Company.
"It's amazing that how many people come together when you have a disaster," added Ronald McWilliams, a member of Gideon Rescue Company.
After being in Iowa for nearly three days, the group is already leaving an impact on Central Iowa. Members of the group say there are so many ways for people to get involved worldwide.
"There's so much to do and there's a job for everybody," Dylan said. "I mean, there's little kids that come with us, they hand out water, pick up trash, pick up sticks and just be with the people and I mean we just go."
The group plans to finish helping in Pleasant Hill on Sunday, then head to Minden, a town that also saw significant tornado damage.