Operation Lend A Hand

06/18/2026

Today I was able to travel to Kouts, Indiana, to view the damage left behind by the destructive EF-3 tornado that tore through the area on June 11. Along the path I traveled, from US 421 to State Road 49, the destruction was extensive. Several homes were completely destroyed, countless trees were damaged or uprooted, and there were areas of incredible ground scouring that truly showed the power of this storm.

Having tracked this storm from its early stages in Illinois, it was surreal to see the aftermath firsthand. I was able to capture some incredible photographs of the storm before it produced the devastating tornado, but seeing the damage on the ground serves as a reminder that these storms are more than just impressive weather they have a lasting impact on families and communities.

Our thoughts continue to be with everyone affected as they begin the long process of recovery and rebuilding. Please continue to support your neighbors, local emergency responders, and organizations assisting with recovery efforts.

Reese Weil
President of OPLAH

06/17/2026

Today is the day to be prepared. Don’t wait until the last minute, and don’t wait until severe weather is on top of you. Take all warnings seriously, have a plan in place, and make sure everyone in your household knows what to do if severe weather strikes.

Be sure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, especially if the power goes out. Charge your phones, battery packs, weather radios, and any other devices you may need.

If you’re looking for storm coverage, the Indiana Weather Network provides excellent coverage focused on Indiana, with storm chasers actively in the field. Our local television stations are also a great source of information. While national storm chasers like Max Velocity and Reed Timmer provide outstanding coverage, they monitor weather across the entire country, whereas Indiana Weather Network is dedicated to our area.

Stay weather aware, stay informed, and stay safe.

06/16/2026

Severe Weather Preparedness Reminder

Tomorrow there is a very strong chance of severe storms across our area. All hazards are possible, including tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding. Now is the time to prepare.

Have a plan for where you will take shelter.

Put together or check your emergency kit.

Charge your phones, battery packs, flashlights, and other essential devices.

Make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.

If you do not have a weather radio, we strongly encourage you to get one. A weather radio can provide life-saving alerts, especially during overnight storms when you may be asleep.

If purchasing a weather radio is a financial hardship, please reach out to us. We have limited funds available and may be able to assist with purchasing one for you.

Stay weather aware, monitor trusted weather sources, and be prepared to act quickly if warnings are issued.

Operation Lend A Hand Emergency Relief Response Team (OPLAH)

06/12/2026

Operation Lend A Hand disaster relief and response, is looking to get in contact with local leaders and organizations in the Kouts and Hebron areas. We would like to offer assistance with ongoing recovery efforts and learn what needs currently exist within the community.

If you have any information, contacts, or can help point us in the right direction, please send us a message. We are ready and willing to assist where needed and want to ensure our efforts are directed to the areas of greatest need.

Thank you for helping us connect with those who can guide these recovery efforts.

06/12/2026

OPLAH Disaster Relief team members are actively monitoring the current situation in our communities this evening.

At this time, we will not be activating in order to allow first responders and emergency personnel the space they need to safely perform their duties. We believe it is important to let those agencies complete their initial response efforts before additional resources are deployed.

Our team will continue to closely monitor conditions throughout the evening and will be prepared to assist if and when a need is identified.

Please keep our first responders and all those affected in your thoughts and stay weather aware.

06/04/2026

Join us on August 1st for the 3rd Annual LaPaz Auto Mania Car Show, benefiting Operation Lend A Hand!

Bring the family out to LaPaz Park for a morning filled with cool cars, great food, music, awards, and plenty of fun!

Saturday, August 1
LaPaz Park (400 Hudson St Lapaz 46550)
Registration: 7:00 AM
Show: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Awards Presentation: Approximately 12:00–12:15 PM

50/50 Raffle
Door Prizes
Music
Food Available
Amazing Cars
Awards

Whether you’re showing a vehicle or just coming to enjoy the atmosphere, we’d love to see you there. Come support a great cause and enjoy a fun, family friendly event!

All proceeds benefit Operation Lend A Hand and help support our community programs.

Please help us spread the word by liking, sharing, and inviting your friends!

05/31/2026

Operation Lend A Hand is looking to have decals installed on our enclosed trailer that we use almost weekly for community events, disaster relief efforts, food pantry operations, and outreach programs.

If you or someone you know does quality decal and vinyl work and would be willing to work with us at a reasonable price, we would love to hear from you. As a nonprofit organization, our budget is limited, but we would really like to give our trailer a professional look that helps promote our mission throughout the communities we serve.

We are also seeking business sponsors who may be interested in helping offset the cost of the project. In return, we would be happy to display your business logo on the trailer, providing visibility and advertising wherever the trailer travels.

If you’re interested in helping or would like more information about sponsorship opportunities, please send us a message.

Thank you for supporting Operation Lend A Hand and helping us continue to serve our community!

04/25/2026

Operation Lend A Hand’s Closet of Grace is in desperate need of a refrigerator/freezer combo.

We’ve recently been blessed with some incredible opportunities to receive more food and supplies for our community but our current cooler space is extremely limited, and we don’t want to turn anything away.

We are willing to purchase, but funding is tight, so we are also asking for any donations, leads, or connections that could help us secure one.

If you or someone you know can help, please reach out.
Every bit of support helps us continue serving those in need.

04/24/2026

04/18/2026

Help Needed!

Operation Lend A Hand / Closet of Grace is currently in need of a Refrigerator/freezer combo or Commercial cooler with a clear/glass door

We are looking for something we can use in our storefront to safely store and display food and essential items for those we serve.

Commercial glass door units are especially helpful since they allow easy visibility and access for our community. These types of merchandiser coolers are commonly used in stores to display food and drinks while keeping them properly refrigerated.

If you or someone you know has one available for donation (new or gently used), we would greatly appreciate it!

Please message us directly if you can help or have any leads.

Thank you for supporting our mission and helping us serve others!