WYNNE, Ark. — (Ed.s note: The attached video is from the March 29, 2024.)
An Arkansas woman has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for the work that her non-profit did in helping the city of Wynne recover from a devastating EF3 tornado that occurred in March of last year.
Leanne Lovell is a 30-year resident of Wynne, Arkansas, and was given the "Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Volunteer" award by the SBA for the work she did with her nonprofit, "Wynne Relief and Recovery."
Lovell was one of three winners to be named a recipient of the organization's phoenix award, which recognizes outstanding efforts towards disaster recovery. The organization said that the yearly award highlights "resilience in the aftermath of devastating natural disasters."
“SBA’s 2024 Phoenix Award winners inspire us and remind us that even in the face of disaster, tragedy, or uncertainty, America at its core is about hope, possibilities, and an unwavering commitment to working together to strengthen our communities,” the SBA said in a press release.
Lovell started the nonprofit right after a devastating EF3 tornado hit the city on March 13, 2023. She ended up receiving a personal call from the city's mayor Jennifer Hobbs just moments after the tornado's impact — the call was asking Lovell to lead the tornado recovery.
As leader of the tornado recovery, Lovell then set up a 21,000-foot distribution center that managed more than 200 volunteers each day. The center also had doctors and counselors to serve medical and mental health needs for survivors of the disaster.
The Lovell-led recovery efforts supported federal response, which included the SBA's Office of Disaster Recovery — she shared info from her social media accounts, conducted local radio interviews, and secured temporary housing for families in the community.
In a press release from the SBA, the organization pointed to Lovell's commitment to her community as to why she was deserving of the award.
"[Lovell's] leadership in the recovery of the City of Wynne is an expression of her unwavering commitment to the community that supported her in her personal time of need," the SBA said in the press release.
Other winners of the phoenix award included an Alabama coffee shop owner and a councilman in Louisiana who both exhibited resilience in the aftermath of devastating storms in their communities.