RSH staff aids their own

Employees of the Rusk State Hospital were among those affected by the tornado that ravaged the Alto community and the Rusk State Hospital staff wanted to help their hospital family.

Diedra Clark, director of community relations and peer support services, said she was in contact with other staff members the day of the tornado discussing how to be of assistance.

An email was sent out requesting staff to donate “to Alto.” What was left unmentioned was the fact that the money was going to their own staff who live in Alto, keeping it a secret from those individuals until time for disbursing the funds.

A total of $2,800 was collected for the affected employees.

Water, pet food and other items were also gathered for the eleven families affected, along with the monetary donations.

The reason for their summons was unknown to the staff members called to Clark’s office on Thursday, April 25.

“Are we having a meeting?” is what Peggy Green, a 21-year employee thought when called, stating she wondered what was being added to their jobs.

When she was presented with the money she said she felt like they were cared for at Rusk State Hospital.

Although her own home did not sustain much damage, she is providing room for extended family, having given up her own bed for an older family member.

“I think God is so good for putting it on their heart,” Green stated of those who coordinated the donations.

Leesha Hogg, a 22-year employee whose home was damaged, says she only lives in the bedroom and living room of her home due to concerns about the rest of the house.

Hogg says she was appreciative of receiving five days off work without having to use sick leave or vacation time and had no idea more was to come.

“This right here, it blew my mind,” she says of the monetary gift. “You walk around campus and you speak to everybody and everybody speaks back, but this, they outdid themselves. This is real sweet.”

Unsure if she’ll be able to repair her home or have to move elsewhere, Hogg stated that, for now, she is “just living day to day.”

“Putting money for the generator, $20 every night, that costs,” she commented. “But this will help out.”