Photo By 1st Sgt. Jessica Barnett | Master Sgt. Jeff Norling and his family, Aaron, Rachel and wife, Shelly, receive a...... read more read more
TOPEKA, Kan. - Master Sgt. Jeff Norling and his son, Aaron, 16, were returning from storm spotting, May 21, as they witnessed a tornado rip through their home town of Reading, Kan. His wife, Shelly, and youngest daughter, Rachel, 15, survived the tornado by taking refuge in their home’s master bathroom – the only room that remained after the tornado. Due to the devastation left behind, the Norling family lost nearly everything.
To help the Norling family get back to normal life as much as possible, Cars 4 Heroes donated a 2004 Suzuki Forenza to Norling, a member of the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Kansas National Guard and Kansas Highway Patrol, during a press conference at the Nickell Armory in Topeka, Kan., June 8.
Norling and his family have always given back to their community, therefore, receiving something himself was unexpected.
“The giving that we have received is overwhelming. This just about takes the cake,” expressed Norling. “We would have never expected something like this. I am still kind of in shock really, over the whole situation. We are just so thankful to receive a vehicle to help fulfill some of the requirements of being a parent - getting the kids to and from everywhere.”
Norling was picked out of hundreds of deserving applicants to receive a car due to his heroism, said founder Terry Franz, known as “Car Santa” to many.
“Jeff is a true hero in every sense of the word, as is his family through their support and understanding as he leaves for long periods of time for deployments halfway around the world. In particular, Jeff deployed as a medical technician to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2009. In addition to his almost 17 years of military service in the Army and Air National Guard, Jeff is also a 10 plus year veteran trooper in the Kansas Highway Patrol.”
Cars 4 Heroes/Cars 4 Christmas is a nonprofit organization that provides free basic transportation to disadvantaged individuals and veterans who are not able to obtain it on their own.
Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant general, is grateful for the continuing support given to local National Guard members by the Kansas community and non-profit organizations.
“It’s our privilege and honor to serve our fellow citizens when a disaster strikes,” said Tafanelli. “Sometimes, the tables are turned and it’s a member of the Guard family who needs help. In those cases, I have never been disappointed by the outpouring of support we receive from our fellow Kansans and organizations such as Cars 4 Heroes. On behalf of all Kansas Guardsmen, thank you.”
In attendance at the ceremony was Brig. Gen. Deborah Rose, director of Joint Forces Headquarters, along with many Guard and Kansas Highway Patrol peers.
“I’ve known Master Sgt. Norling from my many years of service at the 190th Air Refueling Wing, and it’s wonderful to know he’s being helped during this difficult time, especially since he’s been the one helping many others during his time in the Kansas Air Guard and as a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper.”
If you would like to donate to Cars 4 Heroes please go to www.cars4christmas.org/donate-form for more information. Cars, boats, trucks, motorcycles, or RV are appreciated along with monetary contributions. Free towing anywhere in the nation is included if necessary. Your vehicle donation truly can make an amazing difference to a person in need. Vehicle donations are eligible for a tax deduction once the vehicle has been given away.
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.13.2011 12:26 |
| Story ID: | 72016 |
| Location: | TOPEKA, KS, US |
| Web Views: | 41 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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