Volunteers help clear debris from an a man's home in Menasha who was injured during the July 27, 2026 tornado. PC: Fox 11 Online
MENASHA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Some of the reported 68 people who needed hospital treatment for injuries suffered during last week’s tornado in the Fox Cities are still recovering and unable to attend to the damage and debris left behind on their property.
“In tears, basically my heart just broke,” said John Akstulewicz, a Kaukauna resident, of the damage he saw in Menasha. “I’m like I need to do something to help my community because I grew up here and it’s the right thing to do.”
Akstulewicz and his mother, Mary Driessen, are among the countless volunteers helping the homeowners cleanup. Thursday morning, they were at the home of a family friend who is unable to help himself.
“He went downstairs first and as he was going downstairs he forgot his phone and came back up and then that’s when the storm hit,” said Driessen.
A tree crashed through the kitchen window, leaving the man in his 60s filled with pieces of glass. He was recently released from a two-day stay at the hospital, according to Driessen.
“Right now, he’s at Christ The Rock getting care there because his home is not livable,” said Driessen.
Driessen says the man is still distraught and likely doesn’t even know the full extent of the damage to his home.
“I’m thankful he’s ok because he could have been lost in that house,” said Driessen. “He could have been killed by that tree.”
Now, his friends and strangers are helping take care of the mess outside his home.
“Basically make sure it gets boarded and safe,” said Akstulewicz.
“It’s like they would do it for us too and that’s what people do around here,” said Driessen. “They pitch in and help everybody.”
Anyone who has tornado damage on their property is asked to call 211, which is the United Way’s call center.
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