Suburban Heroes: 2 Lisle women helped flood-affected families

When heavy rains drenched the area last October, flooding forced some Lisle residents to briefly evacuate their homes and then deal with the mess the water left behind.

Trinity Lutheran Church responded by serving as an emergency shelter and a collection site for donations for flood-affected families.

Among those who stepped up to help their neighbors were church members Rita Pereira and Amy Narot, who organized and participated in cleanup efforts and managed the effort to raise donations.

Both Lisle women and the church recently were honored with the village's Community Spirit Award, which recognizes outstanding service.

"It's humbling," Pereira said.

Pereira and Narot said they were simply doing what they could to help.

"I don't do what I do for the recognition," Narot said. "You just do what you feel called to do because somebody needs something."

In fact, Narot gave credit to everyone who donated cleaning supplies. She also praised the roughly 30 volunteers who devoted their time to move furniture, carpet and other water-damaged items from about two dozen properties into village-supplied Dumpsters.

"I have seen firsthand that people step up to help in any way they can," she said.

Pereira agreed.

"It's always a community effort around here," Pereira said. "Lisle is a small town. When there's trouble, people pitch in. It's how we are."

• Do you know of any Suburban Heroes? Share your story at heroes@dailyherald.com.