Melinda Enfield of Oberlin poses with her daughter Chloe, 14, and her sons, from left, Nathaniel, 5, William, 8, and Teigan, 11, as they plan to move to Greensburg, Kan., for the summer to help with the community's rebuilding efforts after a tornado a year ago May 4. Melinda said, "This is a community service project to give something back," after Oberlin residents helped her family when a fire destroyed their home. "We understand losing everything," Melinda said. "Many people helped us. It's important to me to give back." (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette) [Click to enlarge]

OBERLIN -- Members of an Oberlin family who know first-hand what it's like to lose their home and all their belongings want to pass on the spirit of generosity that their friends and neighbors exhibited after a fire destroyed everything they owned and left them homeless.

Melinda Enfield still gets tears in her eyes when she remembers how Oberlin residents offered her family a house and helped them recover after a fire destroyed their home several years ago. Now, they want to carry on that attitude of unselfishness and are planning a project to help others suffering from similar losses.

Enfield, of Oberlin, wants to help families still recovering from the devastating tornado that chewed up and spit out Greensburg, Kan., on May 4, 2007. "A year later, the need is still so very great," Melinda said.

Melinda and her daughter, Chloe, 14, and sons, Teigan, 11, William, 8, and Nathaniel, 5, will move to Greensburg for the summer to grow a "community garden," from which they will give fresh produce free of charge to Greensburg residents. "This is our way of ministering to people who have lost their homes and belongings to the tornado," Melinda said. "It's an opportunity for us to give back."

Melinda is offering area residents the opportunity to join in her family's project by "sponsoring" garden plants, or bushes and trees for an orchard.

"Even a donation of $2 will help us buy vegetable plants," Melinda said. Melinda is also interested in visiting with plant suppliers who might consider donating plants or offering them at a discount for the project.

The Greensburg Lions Club is offering to pay the utilities for the camper trailers of volunteers helping with the community's rebuilding efforts. Therefore, Melinda is looking to borrow a camper trailer (that sleeps five or six) for the summer. She said too, that the donation of a camper trailer (for a tax deduction) would also be appreciated.

Anyone interested in helping Melinda prepare for the summer or in sponsoring plants and trees is encouraged to contact her at (785) 475-2757 (home); (785) 470-1222 (cell); or at xlntwife@live.com