On Memorial Day weekend, a tornado spanning 36.1 miles devastated parts of northern Arkansas. With up to 140 mph winds, homes and businesses were damaged or leveled, thousands were without power, and heartbreakingly, at least eight people were confirmed dead.
These were the state’s first tornado-related deaths in 16 years.
Now, the community is attempting to rebuild.
Quickly, the areas most impacted — Rogers, Bentonville, and Decatur — received assistance from emergency responders.
The Metroplex event center in Rogers was converted into shelter space, a local electric company enacted its Emergency Restoration Plan to restore power for over 40,000, and countless nonprofit recovery efforts have set up teams in the area.
But amid heartbreak and resilience, the community still finds joy.
Indie rocker Maggie Rogers’ scheduled tour stop at the Arkansas Music Pavilion at the Walton Arts Center went on as planned on June 3, but she made a point to help out the community, too.
In tandem with a pre-show gathering at Onyx Coffee Lab, Rogers posted on Instagram, asking for fans to bring donations for community members in need.
“We will be gathering donated relief items for the downtown Rogers neighbors,” Rogers shared in an Instagram story. “Basic first aid, toiletries, and supplies may be brought to be donated to individuals and families impacted by the tornado.”
This was followed by a list of requested supplies, such as Band-Aids, towels, baby formula, feminine hygiene products, coolers, flashlights, and more.
While it’s unclear how many donations were collected, it wasn’t the end to Rogers’ do-good efforts in the Natural State.
She also continued her advocacy efforts for reproductive rights, offering seat upgrades to fans who donate to local abortion clinics and nonprofits, through a partnership with Propeller.
Tuesday morning, the musician posted again on Instagram, with ethereal photographs from the evening’s performance.
“Rogers in Rogers, Arkansas,” she wrote.
“So happy you came to Rogers,” one fan commented. “Thank you for sharing your light with us.”
Header photos courtesy of KY3, Maggie Rogers/Facebook
