RIO Press Release
| For Immediate Release | Media Contact : |
| October 15, 2009 | Tina Potthoff |
WORKING TO RECOVER: VOLUNTEERS COMMITTED TO RECOVERY
Husband and Wife Team Continue to Clean Out Basements for Disaster Victims
(DES MOINES) – More than a year after the devastating floods, Duane and Chris Blum of Mason City are still helping impacted Iowans clean up their basements.
“Many people don’t realize there is still work to be done out there,” Duane says.
He knows it seems surprising to people, particularly who weren’t affected by last year’s flooding, to think there are still people who need their basements cleaned or dried out. However, Duane has come across numerous reasons people still haven’t made the effort. Some homeowners just weren’t mentally or physically ready last fall or winter to have their flood-damaged possessions thrown out. Now, they have come to the conclusion that it all needs to go.
“When we go down there [in a basement], we make it very clear that everything goes into the dumpster,” Duane said. “There’s no sense cleaning out a basement if you leave flood-damaged possessions there that can re-contaminate the house.”
It can be very emotionally difficult for homeowners to see all their possession being thrown into a dumpster, he added.
Volunteering has become a way of life for the couple.
Duane and Chris have volunteered with the Cerro Gordo/Franklin Long-Term Recovery Coalition and United Way of North Central Iowa since November of 2008. Even before November, the couple was traveling to Cedar Rapids, Waverly, Parkersburg and other communities to assist in recovery efforts.
But in November, officials from the local long-term recovery committee asked if they would work with them on a case-by-case basis. The couple said yes.
Since then, case advocates who meet with disaster-impacted individuals send e-mails to Chris about a client’s clean-up needs. Chris then calls the individual to set up a time for Duane to visit and assess the problem. United Way of Northern Iowa sends out requests for volunteers to assist, and then Duane and the volunteers do the cleanup.
Duane gives credit to the local long-term recovery group for being organized and thinking ahead by purchasing fans and large dehumidifiers which can be loaned out to people who are still trying to dry out their basements. Also, thus far, the recovery committee has had enough funds to pay for the dumpsters to be taken to homes which still need basements cleaned.
Duane and Chris know that eventually work related to the 2008 disasters will be completed, but they also know there will always be a need and other disaster events in which they could assist. They would like to keep it that way, and are working with other local civic leaders to organize a formal volunteer group. In addition, they are working on putting together a work trailer equipped and ready to go when disaster cleanup is needed.
Volunteers, such as the Blums, have been and continue to be a major factor in Iowa’s recovery from the worst natural disaster in Iowa’s history. Additionally, locally-raised and administered donations have been key to the 2008 disaster recovery effort.
Statistically:
- Duane and Chris Blum of Mason City are two of the more than 721 people who have volunteered through United Way of North Central Iowa to assist with the flood recovery in the area.
- The Cerro Gordo/Franklin Long-Term Recovery Coalition is one of 25 local long-term recovery committees across Iowa which oversee assistance in times of crisis and disasters. The Cerro Gordo/Franklyn Long-Term Recovery Coalition works with United Way of North Central Iowa to procure volunteers to assist with flood recovery.
- As of Oct. 9, the Coalition has distributed more than $26,870 to 25 households in the Coalition’s coverage area. The total amount donated to the Coalition for disaster recovery to date is $104,770. Organizations donating to that fund include: Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa for the Cerro Gordo County Community Foundation; Iowa Conference of United Church of Christ; Iowa Disaster Collaborative/Embrace Iowa through The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines; Lutheran Disaster Relief; Presbytery of North Central Iowa Disaster Relief; and case management assistance from the State.
- The Coalition used a portion of the $26,870 to purchase dehumidifiers and box fans which are loaned to households, prior to volunteer teams coming in for cleanup. In addition, the Coalition has paid for dumpsters to be placed at homes where cleanup is still occurring.
Volunteers are still needed to assist with recovery efforts in many flood-damaged areas around the state.
If you (or a group) would like to volunteer your time:
Contact the Iowa Concern Hotline at (800) 447-1985. People can volunteer in their county or community of choice.
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