This week I have an exciting news! I received word that UMCOR would like to send a representative to your congregation to speak between now and March 29! As many of you know March 22 is One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday. All proceeds from this Sunday go to UMCOR. This offer was extended because Iowa was the #1 contributor to UMCOR last year! They would come on a Sunday morning or any time during the week. I do need a quick response!! So please call or email me by Wednesday March 11, 2009.This would be a great opportunity to educate your congregation about what UMCOR is doing here in Iowa and internationally!
I also want to share with you this week an article written by Pastor Melisa Bracht-Wagner from First UMC in Marion and Erica Zitto, employee of Catholic Charities:
What's the Process of Rebuilding a Flooded Home?
Below is the basic outline. Of course, each house is unique requiring special attention and creative carpentry. But this gives you an idea of what we doing in the rebuild process:
-The United Methodist Church receives a referral from the Linn Area Long Term Recovery Coalition.
-One of 11 volunteer case managers and an estimator visits the home together to talk with the homeowner, take measurements and discuss the rebuild process. The homeowner signs releases so we have permission to work on the home and to collaborate with other agencies.
-the case manager and estimator make sure the home has been completely gutted and is free of mold.
-Our Project Manager secures the proper building permits and inspections.
-Our trips to Menards begin. Many deliveries, gopher runs, cabinet designs and troubleshooting.
-Volunteer licensed plumbers and electricians begin their work. If the home needs a furnace, a contractor is hired.
-Volunteers install insulation, drywall, windows and exterior doors.
-Volunteers mud, tape and sand. This takes a long time.
-A volunteer textures the walls.
-Volunteers prime and paint and install kitchen cabinets and the bathroom vanity. They install window trim baseboards, crown molding and interior doors.
-The contractor comes in to lay the flooring.
-The volunteer electrician completes the electrical work by installing outlets and switches.
-Volunteers fix and finish little projects.
-The United Methodist Church holds a House Blessing, during which they pray over the home and homeowner and the homeowner is given a prayer shawl and cookbook. The homeowner signs off on the work completed.
It takes roughly 3 months to rebuild a home, start to finish. Start begins when mechanicals are complete (electric, plumbing, furnace).
The average home requires 2,000 volunteer hours and countless amounts of love, tears, patience, encouragement and prayers.
Homeowner, at an average home, spend about $13,000 from FEMA and Jumpstart funds to complete their homes.
If additional funds are needed (beyond FEMA and Jumpstart), the Flood Recovery Office will seek funding from the Iowa Annual Conference, Linn Area Long Term Recovery Center Roundtable and grants, Private donors, churches and former works teams have also contributed to the rebuild process.
Enjoy the warm weather and have a great weekend!
Becky Wood
Director of Recovery - Storms 2008
Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
2200 Heritage Green Dr.
Hiawatha, IA 52233
(319) 393-1607 (office)
(515) 238-5346 (cell)
email: becky.wood@iaumc.org
