The Wynne Progress wrote about a generous donation made by B’nai B’rith Sam Schloss Lodge (based in the Memphis, Tennessee area) members Elaine Steinberg Miner and Harold Steinberg to the Arkansas Community Foundation for tornado relief. In March 2023, a powerful tornado devastated the farm community of Wynne, Arkansas.

Read more in the Wynne Progress.

B’nai B’rith International recently donated $4,480 to the Arkansas Community Foundation for tornado relief. In addition, Sam Schloss Lodge B’nai B’rith members Elaine Steinberg Miner and Harold Steinberg added an additional $770 making the total $5,250. The funds are earmarked for the Cross County Tornado Recovery fund.

Keeli Smith, executive director of the Cross County Community Foundation, accepted the donation.

On March 31, 2023, an EF-3 tornado devastated the farm community of Wynne, Arkansas, population 8,200. Four lives were lost and numerous homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. The high school was a total loss. Fortunately, the school administration dismissed classes before the twister struck.

Both Steinbergs grew up in Wynne and graduated from Wynne High School.

Kay King, a board member of the Foundation’s board said, “On behalf of Cross County Community Foundation’s board and staff, we were honored to receive such a generous donation to the Cross County Tornado Recovery Fund from B’nai B’rith International and members of the Steinberg family. The community of Wynne is so fortunate to have their commitment to helping its citizens. Pooled with funds from many other donors, more than half a million dollars was raised and deployed to help victims of the tornadoes.

“One thing that gets missed, is that these storms were local. There was an outpouring of support from organizations and volunteers from all over,” King added. “But when the initial relief organizations finished their work, we had to figure out how to get our neighbors back on their feet. By pooling resources from donors like B’nai B’rith, the Cross County Community Foundation worked with local organizations to start rebuilding our town and get back to some sense of normal. We started with rebuilding five homes for survivors who lost everything they knew. That’s the power of an investment in a strong community.”