Flood relief work continues to progress in the Pennington Bend and Old Hickory communities. By this time, practically all cleanup work is finished, leaving the daunting task of home restoration for thousands of families. The Give a Hand Up initiative is actively involved in many home rebuilds. Projects go through various stages as they are being rebuilt:
Stage 0: Initial visit where home is analyzed and plan is developed
Stage 1: Damaged flooring, drywall, etc. removed
Stage 2: Insulation
Stage 3: Hanging of drywall
Stage 4: Finishing of drywall
Stage 5: Painting
Stage 6: Flooring
Stage 7: Doors and trim
Currently, there are three homes at Stage 6, two homes at Stage 5, four homes at Stage 4, three homes at Stage 3, and three homes that are waiting on Stage 0.
The issue holding us back now is lack of skilled workers.
We’ve had several unskilled crews come in to work and they accomplished great things, but most of that type of work has now been completed. The need for skilled workers is critical to finishing these projects.
Give a Hand Up is committed to quality workmanship and providing a service that the homeowner will be pleased with. In order for this to be accomplished, we need skilled volunteers who will sacrifice one day, a weekend, or even a whole week to help us get families back in their homes so others can then be helped.
Recovery work is in full swing as the summer continues to blast out heat and humidity! Crews are faithfully and sacrificially working extremely hard to help flood victims get back in their homes. Recently, a group totaling 50 from the Central (Augusta, GA) and Augusta Road (Greenville, SC) Churches of Christ traveled to Nashville for a weekend of work.
Their work included raking and picking up debris in the yards of 75 people, mowing 60 yards, hanging drywall in five homes, painting and staining cabinets in a home, installing insulation in two homes, tearing out a ceiling in one home, filling a ditch that had been washed out from the flood, removing wet duct-work from underneath three homes, and assisting with Hands on Nashville’s Clothes Closet. A lot was accomplished in just two days!
Many groups are preparing to come (or have already come) to work with Give a Hand Up. Many more have generously made donations (both congregations and individuals). But as this process continues, the need for skilled workers grows more important. Many local volunteer workers are in need of a break, some having worked most of five weeks in a row! Could you come for a week? How about a weekend? Do you know of someone in your congregation that might be interested in volunteering their time? If so, please contact Buddy Pickler. There is work to do!
The ability to donate to Give a Hand Up has been added to the website. Individuals are now able to be a part of the flood recovery effort through use of their debit/credit cards or PayPal accounts. Please see the button on the main page or check out the GIVE!page for donation information. Support has poured in for this effort from all over the country, and as work continues, it is no secret that this will be a very long and expensive recovery. The more people give, the more people can be helped!
Many have contacted us asking about coming to work over the next few weeks and months. Please see the VOLUNTEER! page for info on how to go about getting your group registered. As work progresses, the need for “skilled” labor will continue to be a vital necessity. Those with drywall experience (hanging and finishing) are severely needed at this point, even if those individuals can only work one or two days. Housing and meals will be provided for workers. There is also work for “unskilled” volunteer groups- some areas still need outside cleanup and countless yards have work that need to be done in them.
If you live in the Nashville area, work groups are going out every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Morning crews depart at 8:00am and afternoon crews depart at 5:00pm. If you have a day off, why not use it to serve? If you can come after work and give a few hours, what better way to end your day? Will you reach out?
Tuesday, May 18th: Representatives from the Mt. Juliet Church of Christ met Tuesday night with the elders and minister of the Pennington Bend Church of Christ about beginning flood recover work in that community. The clean-up and tear down phase on a majority of affected houses is coming to a close, and families are now facing the daunting task of trying to figure out how to start rebuilding and restoring their homes.
Many items were discussed, including the process flood vicitims will go through (meeting with Review Team) before work begins on their homes, assisting them with the managing of their FEMA money, and types of work for unskilled volunteer work groups. With everyone on the same page, initial steps can now be taken to begin actual work on the homes.
The one thing that stands out now that the flood waters have receded and the shock has begin to wear off is that this will be a long, hard road for flood victims. Many have no idea where even to begin while others lack the resources and contacts to make any progress. This makes it very clear that the mission of Give a Hand Up is extremely vital and has the potential to make a major impact in the lives of many families. Will you join us?
The recent Nashville flood has left many homeless and hurting. Many are brothers and sisters in Christ. Are you able to help? The Mt. Juliet Church of Christ is trying to organize relief to those who have been affected through collection and distribution of funds and the organization of volunteer work groups. Many millions of dollars are needed to rebuild lives. But just as the church in Jerusalem needed extra help from other congregations so long ago, we need your help. Can you be a Macedonian church for a congregation here in Tennessee?
Under the oversight of our elders, needs will be evaluated and funds distributed by elderships of congregations in the communities that were affected. The goal is to rebuild hope by ultimately leading people closer to God and His church.
The people in these communities are doing everything they can to pick themselves back up after the flood. They are not looking for a handout, but simply needing a hand up. Will you reach out?
