The Ark rallies community to rebuild after tornado

This article, written by a volunteer of The Ark, is the third in a series of five stories that will highlight the generous work of the local nonprofit organization ahead of its annual fundraiser, Supper & Song, on Sunday, Oct. 19. Purchase your tickets to help South Cheatham families stay afloat today. 

In April of this year, a tornado tore through Kingston Springs Road, damaging homes, scattering debris, and leaving many residents shaken. One of the hardest-hit was an elderly woman living alone. Her roof was destroyed, and without insurance or nearby family, she faced an overwhelming challenge: how to repair her home and protect herself from further damage.

The story could have ended there – with loss and uncertainty. Instead, it became a clear example of how neighbors and community organizations in South Cheatham County, like The Ark, step up when it matters most.

The response

Kingston Springs resident Lindsey Palazzi first heard about the woman’s situation and immediately felt compelled to help. She set up a GoFundMe campaign and shared it across the community. Small contributions began to flow in from neighbors, friends and even strangers. The community was able to raise nearly $9,000 – proving that modest gifts can add up quickly when many people decide to act.

But raising money was only one part of the solution. The project needed coordination, skilled labor and oversight. That’s when Palazzi reached out to The Ark. The local nonprofit has a history of organizing recovery efforts after severe storms.

The Ark’s team had experience from past disasters, including the tornado that struck the Butterworth Road area of Highway 70 several years earlier. That recovery effort taught the organization how to connect volunteers, churches, businesses and tradespeople in a way that gets results. With that knowledge, The Ark stepped in to coordinate this new effort.

As roofers and volunteers began repairing the storm damage, the situation revealed a deeper challenge. The homeowner had been living without working plumbing since 2010, relying on water from a well for 15 years. When TLH Plumbing learned of her circumstances, they offered to replace the broken pipes and fixtures at no cost. Their work restored running water throughout the house, dramatically improving her daily life.

The response grew into a wide-ranging community project. Roofers donated materials and labor. Volunteers cleared debris. Neighbors delivered food to workers. And people began checking in on the homeowner, not just as part of the project, but out of genuine care.

The outcome

Today, the woman’s home looks very different than it did the day after the tornado. A new roof now protects it from future storms. Inside, the plumbing system works for the first time in over a decade. And perhaps most importantly, she has a stronger network of neighbors who stop by to visit.

For The Ark, this project reflected the nonprofit’s ongoing mission. Staff members often say their role is to serve as a vessel, connecting people and resources rather than taking full credit for the work. “The real story is the community,” one spokesperson said. “Our job is to bring people together, and this community always shows up.”

The effort also reinforced how local recovery depends on many forms of support working in tandem. Fundraising supplied immediate financial resources. Skilled tradespeople offered expertise that volunteers couldn’t provide. The Ark coordinated the process, ensuring that efforts didn’t overlap or stall. And everyday neighbors showed up with meals, time and encouragement.

A stronger community

While the April storm left its mark, it also uncovered something stronger — the quiet threads of connection that hold a town together. A woman who once carried her days in solitude now has a roof over her head, water flowing through her pipes and a circle of neighbors who stop by just to say hello.

What happened here is the reminder: recovery is never the work of one pair of hands. It’s the ordinary souls who show up, the nonprofits who steady the ground, the trades who offer their craft — all bringing together what could never be done alone.

In Kingston Springs, that storm could have written a story of loss. Instead, it became a story of restoration, of neighbors becoming family, of a community choosing to show up until hope felt at home again.

The Ark is able to continue its work keeping our South Cheatham neighbors afloat through its annual fundraiser, Supper & Song. The event will take place this year on Sunday, Oct. 19, and we hope to see you there.

Supper & Song tickets can be purchased here. If you feel inclined to give back to the community in a larger way, please see our additional sponsorship packages here.