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Tregunna found she didn't have to operate alone. Her offer spread across the Twitterverse and a huge number of volunteers poured in.

Her offer was retweeted by, among others, James Duthie, a popular sports host who has nearly 900,000 followers.

\"This is why Ottawa is such a great town,\" Duthie wrote.

Tregunna said people dropped off food, Tupperware, candles and matches; some volunteered to do deliveries, others wanted to donate money. Together, they sent food for the nurses at a local hospital where the power had gone out and reached out to elderly or sick people out of town who needed help, she said.

\"So far today, we've gone through dozens of pancakes, some chicken fingers and fries, vegetarian lasagna, butternut squash soup,\" she added. \"We had two huge pasta bins donated, we're sending out pickles, chocolate bars, apples -- really, anything I can figure out how to pack with the containers we have.\"

\"PHOTO:
Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP
PHOTO: People collect personal effects from damaged homes following a tornado in Dunrobin, Ontario west of Ottawa, Sept. 21, 2018.
>

Tregunna's friend Erin Blaskie said she visited her daughter's school shortly after the tornado tore through it and was aghast at the devastation. Many of her daughter's friends and their families were in the zone of damage.

\"I just thought to myself, 'How can I help?'\" Blaskie said. \"I know what it's like to go through struggles — I've had my fair share in my life. But today I'm very fortunate to be able to have the means to give back.\"

Blaskie tweeted out that her doors were open for anyone who needed help, from people who had to charge their phones to those who needed warmth or groceries, water or containers. On Saturday, she cooked up a batch of chili for those in need of hot food.

We have chili cooking! If you are without hot food, please msg me for my address! Also, check out what my friend @ShawnaActually is offering too and be sure to drop donations off at the @KanataFoodCpbrd ??#ottawapoweroutage #OttawaOutage #OttawaStorm #plsshare #ottawa #ottnews pic.twitter.com/z9Bspi5eHt

— Erin Blaskie (@ErinBlaskie) September 22, 2018

One of those she helped reached out to thank her publicly.

Thank you for coming over! Glad I could help you out AND thanks for your offer of support and help to those who need it, too! ?? #OTTStorm #OttawaOutage #OttawaStorm https://t.co/xDrmkYXi3j

— Erin Blaskie (@ErinBlaskie) September 22, 2018

Both Tregunna and Blaskie said they've been amazed by the number of people and organizations that have pitched in to help.

\"It's incredible to see,\" Blaskie said. \"I feel like we've got a sort of tribe of people trying to do whatever we can. We already knew we lived in a great city. But I think going through something like this and having everyone raise their hand and say 'how can I help?' really proves that.\"

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