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Storms of 2008 Update

Greetings,
I had a phone conversation yesterday with Tanya Lantz. Tayna is the rebuild/volunteer coordinator in Oakville. You may recall back in the spring that I reported Oakville has decided to rebuild. They are buying homes, rehabbing them and selling them back to flood survivors who want to come back to Oakville. I called Tanya to see how it was going in Oakville and the response I got was "We desperately need volunteers! If you can get me groups of 10, 2 of them skilled and 8 willing to learn, that would be wonderful. We have accommodations and lunch is served weekdays at the community center". Tanya went on to tell me that they are trying very hard to get 11 families in homes by Christmas!
Cedar Rapids needs volunteers too! WE are currently working on 32 homes. Some of them are minor repairs, most of them are major rehabbing.
Please see the attachments, Melisa has outlined how your church/team might want to help.
10 Top Reasons you should volunteer:
1. Good exercise. You'll find muscles you never knew you had!
2. Fellowship - make new friends.
3. Learn more about how Eastern Iowa is rebuilding with the help of the UMC.
4. Get to eat cookies!
5. Get to use power tools!
6. Listen to homeowners tell their story of survival
7. Listen to homeowners hopes and dreams for the future
8. Be a part of neighborhoods rebuilding
9. You'll be reminded that we are a long way from being rebuilt and still need lots of volunteer hours to make it to the finish line
10.You are the hands and feet of Jesus!
Don't forget the Bishop will be in Cedar Rapids celebrating the Block by Block program. See you at 9:00 am, 1300 block of 8th Ave.
God's Peace,
Becky Wood
Dir. of Recovery
515-238-5346
Notes from Pastor Melisa:
Good Afternoon!

As the seasons change, the holidays are quickly upon us. Please help make a Thanksgiving Miracle by adopting a Finish Line house. Houses that are have around 10 days worth of work. Block by Block and the Flood Office of the UMC will assist you with materials and code regulations. Please see attached flyer for more information. FUMC and Catholic Charities have adopted a finish line house. Lovely Lane has adopted a complete rebuild house.

Help needed this Saturday!

We need volunteers for Block by Block projects. 35 volunteers needed for the work assigned.

· remove 3 houses worth of ceilings for the electricians. – ladder, crow bar, hammer, mask

· 2 homes need scrubbed for mold. – scrub brush, ladder, mask

· 1 home has wood floors to be removed. – crow bar, mask, hammer

All homes on the 1200 block of 8th st NW.

See Melisa at 8:30 am with tools for the job you wish to have.

We will work till noonish.

Apologies for not attending the Tuesday Meeting. The CRC were shifting some volunteers to our blocks. I did learn about the request for Christmas Card inserts. Attached is a revised version of the card sent out last year. Please encourage your congregations to include this insert in their letters.

Huge thank you to all the churches hosting teams. This is a sacrifice and challenge. We thank you for the ministry of hospitality.

Don’t forget about the Bishop’s visit on Tuesday.

Rev. Melisa Bracht-Wagner

Iowa Disaster Volunteers in Mission Coordinator

An UMCOR Partner

(319) 480-4469 www.fumcmarion.org/Flood