$5k raised tornado victim, a Willowcare employee

She may not reside in Willow Springs, but her career in service to the community’s most vulnerable population is all the claim one Willowcare employee needed to inspire the town’s generosity. Susie Grooms is a certified nursing assistant at Willowcare in Willow Springs, and she lost her Fremont home in the March 14 tornado. Her coworkers hosted a bake sale the following weekend for her benefit. Little did they know, the people of Willow Springs would open their hearts and the pocketbooks to raise money for her. 

 

People from all over the community turned out to buy the wares at the fundraiser sale. Not only did they buy, but they generously overspent – some paying $100 for a cinnamon roll. Crossway Fellowship Church donated $500. All told, the community raised a little shy of $2,500 that day for Grooms.

 

Then, her employer matched it. On March 18, Grooms’ coworkers turned up to see her receive the five-thousand-dollar check, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

 

“It’s because we love you,” Willowcare director Stacey Smith said to Grooms. 

 

Grooms herself was overcome and speechless with emotion that Tuesday afternoon. 

 

“It couldn’t go to nicer person. I’ve known a lot of kind people, but Susie is easily in the top five of the nicest, greatest people I’ve ever met,” Smith commented.