Local heroes fix roofs in tornado-ravaged neighborhoods
ST. LOUIS – Plastic tarps on roofs can be signs of hope amid the hardship in the neighborhoods hardest hit by the tornado.
The people FOX 2 met installing them Wednesday call themselves the 'Tarpenters.'
A lighthearted play on words for a group providing a serious service. Wednesday's weather may have slowed their progress, but it won't dampen their determination. 'I put every bit of emotion that I have into the work by pretending that my young family is living in one of these houses, and I have to do my best to keep my family dry. I personalize every one of these,' said Jake Wheeler, founder of the 100 Roofs project. Since the May 16 tornado hit, it's been a different roof every day for Wheeler, but the mission remains the same. 'This is truly what a community looks like. We've got people from all walks of life swinging hammers and doing their best to help people that are in need, and the need is great,' said Wheeler. The effort that started in the hours after the storm has since transformed into the '100 Roofs project'.
Numerous organizations, businesses and individuals have stepped up to help, but three weeks and 37 roofs later, Jake says the group's work is far from over. 'This is not a dream. You can't dream about this. This is the worst nightmare,' said Douglass Dobynes. Dobyns has owned his building in the Kingsway East neighborhood for 15 years. The 'Tarpenters' helped secure his roof, then he started helping them. 'If I'm asking for help, I've got to be able to give help too. I hate what happened, but I love seeing the community and everybody come together like they have,' said Dobyns. Decency in the shadow of destruction. Even the cats and dogs are getting along. Yes, it's an uphill climb, but rung by rung — tarp by tarp jake says the work to provide shelter after the storm won't stop. 'People are staying in these homes, whether we help them or not, so we got to get out there and help them. We got to keep people dry,' said Wheeler. Jake told FOX 2 the 'Tarpenters' work will continue on Thursday at 8 a.m.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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