Young people and their chaperones from the Circle of Saints Cluster youth group - St. Patrick, Tama-Toledo, St. Joseph, Chelsea and St. Michael, Belle Plaine Catholic work to clean up debris in front of the Police?Station and city offices housed in the former public library in Marshalltown last week following the tornado which tore apart much of the downtown area on July 19. Photo/Jackie Toennies

Just as the young members from the Circle of Saints Cluster youth group – St. Patrick, Tama-Toledo, St. Joseph, Chelsea and St. Michael, Belle Plaine Catholic churches – were getting ready to head to San Luis, Colo., for their annual trip “They knew they weren’t going,” Jackie Toennies, Director of Religious Education for the Catholic churches, said.

News of the tornado which ripped through Marshalltown late Thursday afternoon, July 19, meant their calling for service work would be much closer to home this year.

A total of 13 youth and five chaperones who were set to leave Saturday, July 21, for Colorado instead spent the next five days assisting wherever they could after the EF-3 tornado with 144 mph winds tore through the center of the neighboring city.

Toennies said the youth group and their chaperones worked in residential and business areas of Marshalltown, cleaning up everything from trees and branches to shingles. They worked cleaning up an area near the Iowa Veterans Home Cemetery and on the square downtown.

They washed police and city cars and picked up broken glass from store and office windows.

The Circle of Saints Cluster youth members and chaperones aiding tornado relief in Marshalltown included Stan Upah sitting on wall, Front row: Shelby Slaven, Cora VanDeWalle, Ashlynn Ellenbecker, Katie Campbell, Dan Zimmerman, Jackie Toennies, Middle row: Dalaynee Henle, Gwen Upah, Lexi Babinat, Melanie Shaull Back row: Stephanie Slaven, Laura Toennies, Kalista Koster, Julie Matta, Kent Campbell, Mitch Knock, Patrick Shaull. Photo/Jackie Toennies

Stan Upah, a chaperone, assisted them with a skid loader and other chaperone aided in the work with chain saws.

Residents would come out of their homes and talk to them and express their appreciation Toennies said. All of the young people and chaperones were appreciative of the food and drink they received among them neighborhood youngsters bringing them water to the Red Cross, Salvation Army and JBS supplying snacks and meals Toennies said.

The group had a break at night- they stayed at Pilgrim Heights Camp, rural Montour, and could swim and relax.

The Circle of Saints youth taking part taking part were Lexi Babinat, Katie Campbell, Ashlynn Ellenbecker, Dalayne Henle, Mitch Knock, Kalista Koster, Julie Matta, Patrick Shaull, Shelby Slaven, Stephanie Slaven, Laura Toennies, Gwen Upah and Cora VanDeWalle.

Chaperones included Kent Campbell, Melanie Shaull, Jackie Toennies, Stan Upah and Dan Zimmerman.

Taking a break from their efforts helping in Marshalltown following the July 19 tornado and getting some much appreciated water from the Red Cross are Circle of Saints Cluster youth members Kalista Koster, Mitch Knock, Lexi Babinat, Patrick Shaull, Stephanie Slaven, Laura Toennies. Photo/Jackie Toennies

Photo/Jackie Toennies