on your MARK, get set, go!: THANKS IOWA

Hello All,

I am going to share a few co-authored pieces I worked on with Bill and Jess. Reflections from the past month during our Iowa flood response deployment.

First:

Recently, while working in ‪Iowa‬ alongside Team Rubicon & AmeriCorps NCCC we participated in a special moment. During flood cleanup of 81-year old Don Berg's home, his 61-year old military uniform was recovered among the muck. When the week of gutting & flood cleanup was complete, Don was surprised with a dry cleaned and brass polished uniform. A comforting & inspiring moment for the entire team involved and an excellent way to cap off the collaboration with our ‪National Service‬ friends in Rock Rapids, Iowa.

NECHAMA's Mark M reports that this was an incredible scene that brought with it waterworks of a different kind. The emotional flood and meaningful hard work will be remembered forever.

Second:

Three weeks earlier Jim and Linda were at home as the nearby Rock River crept up. They had been lucky so far to have avoided flooding, which had affected many of their neighbors and Jim didn’t hesitate to go into the still dry basement to check on things. Rain continued to fall and rising water began to surround the house. Suddenly a surge of water and mud crashed through the windows and storm door, forcing Jim to run for safety.

Within minutes, 15 feet of water had inundated the basement and first floor. Decades of photographs, family heirlooms and belongings were submerged or carried away by the rushing waters. When the River finally crested and the water receded, they were left with tens of thousands of dollars in damage and no flood insurance to help them pick up the pieces.

Luckily, Jim and Linda were not alone. NECHAMA was ready to respond as soon we heard news of impending floods in Iowa and Minnesota and quickly deployed our response team when our assistance was requested in Rock Rapids, IA and nearby Luverne, MN. Two hundred and sixty of our volunteers have put on their boots and assisted folks like Jim and Linda with cleanup since our arrival. In just over two weeks we mucked, gutted and sanitized 30 homes. We also expanded our direct reach by loaning out portions of our tools and equipments to other voluntary groups in the area, who helped even more.

Each morning when NECHAMA volunteers arrived at Jim and Linda’s house, the couple was already hard at work. In addition to cleaning up their own home, the pair championed the NECHAMA cause, identifying neighbors in need, and connecting NECHAMA with additional resources in the community. Their effort to comfort their neighbors at a time when they themselves were in need was inspiring. Though the families of Rock Rapids have a long recovery ahead, NECHAMA has given many a head start.

I sound like a broken record, but I am lucky to be a small part of something so great. I'm on the move once more....assessing some flood damage in northern Minnesota. Till next time.

Mark/Chops

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