SURPRISING STUFF
Who pitched in during and after the great storm of July 2026 in and around Lake Geneva?
How about the American Legion chapters around the lake, raising cash and getting it straight to families in trouble? How about Home Depot offering tons of free water bottles in their Lake Geneva Parking Lot? Civilians from all around checked on those in damaged homes and offered respite in their own homes. Stephanie Klett of Visit Lake Geneva was all over the place, providing information, news, and anything else that was needed. Speedo took in a hundred people into his restaurant when the winds blew at tornadic velocity outside, filling up his basement and then sheltering those in the restaurant on the floors and behind counters in case of the great glass windows breaking.
Many stories of this kind of behavior will trickle in as time goes by, and we will attempt to publish as many as we can in the GSR in future publications. Neighbors helping neighbors. After a tragedy, goodness and kindness can shine through. That’s exactly what Walworth County showed after Friday’s deadly storms. Throughout Saturday, neighbors worked side by side clearing roads and fallen trees. People from all over the county and beyond were offering up generators to store food, necessities, water, cash to pay for hotel rooms, and to help with cleaning up and much more.
Many local organizations have held fundraisers with the money raised going directly to the victims of the storm. American Legion Post 327 of Lyons was among many stepping up to help storm victims throughout Walworth County, even as members dealt with damage and setbacks of their own. Multiple American Legion posts were mobilizing to help people in Walworth County. Many downtown businesses and nonprofits have also stepped up to lend a helping hand with the recovery. The American Red Cross of Wisconsin is assisting people in Walworth County who were impacted by Friday’s severe weather. Anyone who has been displaced is welcome to join the American Red Cross at the Walworth County Health & Human Services building, located at 1910 County Road NN in Elkhorn. Culver’s of Delavan opened at 7 a.m. so people could charge their electronics, enjoy the air conditioning, and enjoy free water, soda, and coffee. The Lake Geneva Jaycees were out cleaning up and helping people with trees that were down. The YMCA opened its doors so people could shower, cool off, and have a place to go.
Place of the Week
The YMCA graciously opened its doors for those affected by the storm to cool off and have a place to shower.
