Tyler Zumbathon Held for Joplin Tornado Victims

TYLER — UT Tyler hosted a fundraiser Saturday to assist those affected by the tornado in Joplin, Missouri. The event had east Texans dancing for three hours straight in the school’s rec center gym. Mission Tyler partnered with area Zumba instructors for a marathon of the Latin-dance inspired fitness class. About 60 east Texans came out to work up a sweat for a good cause. Cori Moore of Mission Tyler tells KETK the event raised about $500 on entry fees alone. Moore says the idea started after visiting Joplin on a recent mission trip. She says Saturday’s proceeds will go specifically to a single mother in Joplin who lost everything she had in the devastating tornado that struck the town in May.

“There are so many natural disasters that are occurring, it’s kind of hard to keep up with it and remember,” Moore said. “And by now, so much news has passed by, people are kind of forgetting about it. But it’s going to take years for them to restore.”