Volunteers reach out to Joplin survivors

JOPLIN, Mo. - The death toll from the deadly tornado in Joplin has risen to 132 people.

Amidst the chaos, survivors are beginning to rebuild. And hundreds of volunteers from across the country are there to help.

St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Joplin is just a shell of what it once was. The congregation lost some of its members to the deadly tornado. Those who made it are banding together, organizing volunteers, and getting to work.

"My wife's a preschool teacher here, and they were a half a mile away eating dinner when the storm came through. I was in Indiana for work, so when I got home and saw it, it was pretty devastating to say the least," said Ryno Lieberman.

Volunteers set up a tent in the church's parking lot to feed people weary from picking through the debris.

"People donated from all over the world. And we've got donations, gift certificates, anything everyone needs.If you need something, come out and see us," Lieberman said.

Trucks full of food and supplies are on their way-- from nebraska, illinois and louisiana.

"We loaded up a 21 foot trailer and headed here, just trying to do our part to help," said Rudy Morales, a volunteer from Austin, Texas.

Another dose of heavy rain and lightning didn't stop these volunteers from lending a hand.

"We're going to be here helping people, feeding people, helping clearing some trees and stuff. So it ain't gonna hamper our efforts at all," Morales said.

It's not the kind of cookout they imagined they'd have for Memorial Day weekend. But for survivors, it brings comfort in the midst of so much devastation.

"That's why we're here, just trying to do our small part. Everybody doing a small part, and hopefully making a difference," Morales said.

"It's pretty overwhelming. It's definitely overwhelming, you know. It makes you appreciate what you've got," Lieberman said.