On August 10, 2020, an inland "hurricane" called a Derecho devastated parts of Iowa by flattening 14 million acres of crops, damaging thousands of homes, ripping trees from the ground or branches from trunks, and destroying parts of the power grid servicing cities large and small. Latter-day Saints were among the many whose lives were disrupted in Polk County, Story County, Marshall County, and Linn County. After working to help each other, they called on fellow Latter-day Saints in unaffected areas to help them help their neighbors recover. Over several weekends, Helping Hands volunteers from Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois mobilized to cut up downed trees and otherwise help people regain access to homes, yards, and lives. These volunteers logged more than 15,000 hours in providing relief, and they were encouraged to see other groups also working tirelessly to lift those in need.
