CREW recognized at Governor's Conference

Florida Disaster Recovery Fund Recognizes Nonprofit Leadership
– Awards Ceremony Held at Governor’s Hurricane Conference –

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. – Volunteer Florida Foundation, managers of the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund, recognized exemplary nonprofit partners in recovery at the Governor’s Hurricane Conference here on May 16. The nonprofits were recognized at a private reception hosted by Bank of America, with free cruises given to the leaders by Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises.

“The heart of Florida lies in the dedicated leadership of our nonprofit partners,” said Liza McFadden, President of VFF. “The dedication of these organizations helped ensure our success in recovery from the devastating 2004 and 2005 seasons, including leading our long-term recovery in their prospective areas and securing housing for Floridians following FEMA’s closeout of temporary housing. Disaster recovery is a tedious process that takes great resolve. We applaud these nonprofit leaders and thank them for their tireless efforts in helping our neighbors in need.”

The following nonprofits were instrumental in long-term recovery, with grants and assistance from the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund. Honored were:
Trish Adams, Community Rebuilding Ecumenical Workforce (CREW)
Miles Anderson, Rebuild Northwest Florida
Stirling Boomhower, United Way of Santa Rosa County
Donna Carman, Indiantown Nonprofit Housing
Robert Hebert, Charlotte County
Mandy Hines, Desoto County
Andrea Johnson, Indian River Cares
Steve Mainster, Centro Campesino
Stefanie Myers, St. Lucie INTACT
Greg Strader, Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE)
Sheri Taylor, Palm Beach County Disaster Recovery Coalition
Craig Vanderlaan, Adopt-A-Hurricane Family
Audra Vaz, Volunteer Broward
Jim Vensel, Rebuilding Okeechobee After Disaster
Lisa Watson, Paradise Interfaith Network

About the Fund
The Florida Disaster Recovery Fund (formerly the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund) was founded in 2004 to provide assistance to hurricane survivors for losses not covered by immediate recovery groups, insurance or government funding. The Fund is managed by nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation, under the direction of Governor Charlie Crist. The Fund works with nonprofit organizations in affected communities. In the 2004 and 2005 seasons, the Fund raised nearly $24 million in private donations, granted to more than 300 nonprofits working in recovery. Volunteers provided 1,116,610 hours of service, which translates into an in-kind value of more than $20 million.

As Florida approaches the 2007 hurricane season, please refer often to http://www.fladisasterfund.org/ for news and information on disaster preparedness and recovery, and to discover how you can get involved! For more information on CREW visit, http://home.earthlink.net/~hurricanerecovery/.

Andrea/ Fires threaten as Wilma Recovery Continues!

As the volunteers continue to work on recovery efforts from Hurricane Wilma, these volunteers traveled from Washington State to come to rural South Florida and help as fires and subtropical storm Andrea threatens.

The Web site, titled "Florida Wild Fires and Climate Extremes," explains how Florida's unusual weather led to the fires.The unusually wet mild winter in Florida promoted abundant growth in the underbrush. This weather was immediately followed by a severe drought during April, May and June, which rapidly dried out the dense underbrush. This combination – wet and mild in the winter, dry and hot in the summer -- provided abundant fuel to the wildfires throughout Florida.Details on recent abnormal weather, including temperature and precipitation as well as drought indices, are available on the Web site. Links to related Web sites, such as NOAA satellite imagery of the fires and the fire forecast, are provided. The Web site can be reached at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ol/climate/research/1998/fla/florida.html


Subtropical Storm Andrea Forms off Florida/Georgia Coast…
Aircraft and satellite reconnaissance data from this morning indicate that the area of low pressure hovering off the Florida/Georgia coast has acquired subtropical characteristics, meaning that the system exhibits characteristics common to both tropical and non-tropical systems. At 11 AM EDT, the center of Subtropical Storm Andrea was located about 140 miles northeast of Daytona Beach, meandering west near 3 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph. The official forecast calls for gradual weakening during the next 24 hours, with the center of Andrea remaining offshore. The strongest winds are well away from the center and should remain offshore, but there is the potential for tropical storm force winds to affect the immediate coastal areas of northeastern Florida; therefore a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from Flagler Beach, FL northward to Altamaha Sound, GA. Impacts from Andrea will occur mainly over the marine areas, but gusty winds along with dangerous surf and some beach erosion will be possible along the northeastern Florida coast. Winds are forecast to decrease across the state by week’s end. Rainfall amounts will not be impressive since most of the rainfall will remain offshore, so the potential for a "drought-busting" rain event will be slim. As Andrea weakens and drifts closer to the state, however, moisture levels across Northeast and East-Central Florida will increase, bringing a slightly increased chance for isolated to scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms this weekend.

CREW is hiring!

Contact us now about open positions! We need case managers, office managers, persons with construction experience and knowledge of mitigation, and we can always use volunteers, check out the picture below to see how much fun working with us can be!
South Florida LTRO Job Openings - FLVOADCommunicationsCentral Google Groups

Good News Network

Tired of hearing bad news, you can always look on our blog site and read about wonderful people doing wonderful things, or visit this site, just click on the link. It is a Network that CREW was proud to join!

Good News Network - Latest News

Fires ravage Pioneer Plantation

Fires are breaking out, more disaster hits Hendry County as Hurricane Season begins, and the local community is still recovering from Hurricane Wilma in 2005! See the link below to read more about the fires in Pioneer Plantation in Hendry County.
The News-Press: Local & State

April Showers (& volunteers) bring May flowers and more Volunteers!

April Volunteers included GRACE United Methodist Church who returned again, as they have done every month for quite some time. They worked on replacing Hurricane Wilma damaged walls and ceilings in a home.

First Congregational Church Youth Group came from New Hampshire, this incredible group has done many mission trips, many overseas in third world countries. They ate dinner with the local Methodist Church who fed them in return to hearing stories of their wonderful adventures. On their last night in town they went to Church with Anthony at True Vine in Harlem and were impressed with Pastor Fred Gamble's message and the enthusiasm of the congregation! During their Spring Break Field Trip they repaired roofs and demonstrated their incredible work ethic and spirit.

Our long term volunteer from Michigan Art, continues to help us out this month working on several small projects.

May blooms into a great start with bright volunteers that continue to travel to our rural little town to assist our Hurricane Wilma victims.

Grace United Methodist came again this month and continues to work tirelessly repairing remote location homes on the first Saturday of the month. They have been so regular that we can almost count that they will be here each first Saturday of each month.

Another group traveled quite a long way, all the way from Washington State, they arrived Saturday and will be here till the end of the week. Check back for pictures and updates of what they accomplish!

Please ignore the dates on the pictures, our volunteer photographer has not quite figured out how to work that particular setting!

My SAFE Florida Home Program News

CFO ALEX SINK CONGRATULATES LEGISLATURE FOR
IMPROVING MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME PROGRAM

TALLAHASSEE—Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink today applauded the Legislature’s passage of HB 7057, which makes improvements to the state’s My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program. CFO Sink leads the department administering the program, the Department of Financial Services, and has been working with legislative leadership to make the program more efficient for Florida homeowners.

“The measures passed today by the Legislature will allow the My Safe Florida Home program to serve more Floridians and to boost our efforts to educate homeowners about the importance of mitigation,” said CFO Sink. “As Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, I look forward to increasing awareness about the financial and safety benefits available to Floridians who take steps to harden their homes.”

HB 7057 was sponsored by State Representatives Anthony Trey Traveisa (R-Tampa), Michael Grant (R-Port Charlotte), Robert “Rob” Schenck (R-Spring Hill) and James “Jim” Waldman (D-Coconut Creek) and now heads to Governor Charlie Crist for his signature. State Senator Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) sponsored SB 2596, the Senate companion.

After being streamlined to provide better service and expanded statewide, the MSFH program in April resumed offering eligible Floridians free wind inspections. More than 50,000 homeowners are on the program’s waiting list and these homeowners should expect to be served by the end of the summer. Any Floridians on the waiting list who have not heard from a participating wind inspection firm by June 30, 2007, should contact the MSFH program’s toll-free helpline at 1-866-513-MSFH (6734).

New applicants can apply over the MSFH program’s Web site at http://www.mysafefloridahome.com/ or over the program’s toll-free helpline at 1-866-513-MSFH (6734), but should not expect to receive a free wind inspection before August 2007, as the more than 50,000 pilot phase applicants have first priority. However, Floridians who are not interested in participating in the MSFH program and are willing to pay the $150 fee for a wind inspection, can visit the Web site to learn how they can contact one of the MSFH program’s 11 wind inspection firms directly.

To date, the MSFH program has awarded nearly $200,000 to 88 Florida homeowners who hardened their homes against hurricanes through the MSFH program. The homeowners, who received free wind inspections during the pilot phase of the program, are being reimbursed for half the cost of a variety of home improvements, including hurricane shutters, reinforced garage doors and roof enhancements. More than 5,100 Floridians are currently working on mitigation improvements through the MSFH program and will receive their matching grants once the work has been completed.

The MSFH program helps Floridians identify how they can strengthen their homes and reduces the overall potential for hurricane damage in our state. In addition to providing education about how to better mitigate Florida homes, the program offers eligible homeowners free wind inspections by trained wind inspectors. Homeowners who have received these inspections also have the opportunity to apply for a matching grant to make recommended improvements.

# # #

As a statewide elected officer of the Florida Cabinet, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink oversees the Department of Financial Services, a multi-division state agency responsible for management of state funds and unclaimed property, assisting consumers who request information and help related to financial services, and investigating financial fraud. CFO Sink also serves as the State Fire Marshal.

CITY OF CLEWISTON helps Residents!

The City of Clewiston joins with CREW to help out local residents, according to minutes from City Council.

"FEMA Demobilization/Modified Sales Program.

Keith Denning, representing FEMA, said his agency will be ending its housing assistance program on April 24, 2007, although FEMA will continue to have a presence in the area.

City Manager Johnson said there were 29-occupied FEMA trailers left in the city limits. With the FEMA deadline approaching, Mr. Johnson asked the commission to consider options to provide housing for those families who cannot find housing accommodations by the deadline. FEMA’s modified sales program (MSP) provides three options: (1) sell the trailer to a disaster victim and end the responsibility for the trailer, (2) immediately donate the trailer to the disaster victim and end all responsibility for the unit, or (3) continue to house the hurricane victim in the trailer for an additional year; after that year, the City can use the unit for any purpose.

The City can use Disaster Relief Funds, estimated at $20,000 to $25,000, to buy the units. The concern is once the trailers are sold they must be moved since most of the remaining units are in nonconforming areas. Although FEMA will assist with moving the units to other locations, few conforming sites are available.

CREW, the organization established after Hurricane Wilma to help hurricane victims with the restoration and rebuilding of their homes, had Board approval to serve as a nonprofit agency for administering the MSP. CREW Director Trish Adams said they were willing to help the occupants find other housing or conforming lots for the trailers. Mr. Johnson said at the end of the 12 months, CREW would become the owners of the trailers and responsible for removing the nonconforming units. Purchasers must provide a certificate of zoning compliance. If not in compliance, the sale cannot be made.

Commissioner Pittman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Richard Miller, to extend the emergency declaration for Hurricane Wilma to April 24, 2008, and to participate in FEMA’s Modified Sales Program by providing funds only, up to $30,000, to the CREW organization. The funds are to be disbursed by the city manager and the finance director on a case-by-case basis. The units may remain in the nonconforming areas; however, the nonconformity status still applies, but allows the units to legally remain until April 24, 2008. Motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
City Attorney Schoech clarified that the Commission was not waiving the non conformance status, just providing an extension for that limited period of time. "

VFF and CREW

Milestone Reached in Hendry County's Long-Term Recovery Effort

By Liza McFadden
President, CEO
Volunteer Florida Foundation


Volunteer Florida Foundation joined with the Community Rebuilding Ecumenical Workforce (CREW) to assist in the process of assisting FEMA to find solutions for families impacted by Hurricane Wilma. The community as a whole has done a commendable job of taking over the mantle of responsibility for recovery efforts that will continue.

Even while the majority of FEMA’s work is completed, the nonprofit and faith-based groups serving Hendry County will continue to assist those who were hardest hit and those who are most vulnerable because, as everyone who lived through Wilma knows, every survivor has his or her individual circumstances to cope with while overcoming the challenges created by wind, rain and flood.

Dozens of people are still in temporary housing and will need additional help and guidance in finding long-term safe and secure shelter. This work is ahead of us and I believe the resources and the community’s caring spirit will prevail.

Yet, much has already been accomplished. Hundreds of FEMA trailers were brought in after the hurricane swept through. Just over 140 remained in FEMA trailers, as we embarked on this ambitious project in February, 2007 to find shelter for these families before FEMA’s April 24 deadline.

CREW did this work with funds made available by FEMA and the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund, managed by Volunteer Florida Foundation, along with the added resources and cooperation of City of Clewiston and other agencies. Of course, there have been numerous volunteers who have pitched in for months on end, not ending their efforts a few weeks after the hurricane.

FEMA was a responsive partner, bringing about $70,000 to assist with funding CREW’s staff for this project. Volunteer Florida Foundation also provided over $65,000 Disaster Recovery Fund private dollars to assist with unmet needs, covering such things as first and last month’s rent for many who had not been able to save for the day they would need to move from the trailers.

Other major partners that financially contributed to the success of this project include the American Red Cross and the American Association of Retired Persons.

Hendry County has risen to the challenge with tremendous commitment and compassion. It’s truly rewarding to work with groups such as the CREW, and I applaud them for taking on a task that, if it had been easy, would have already been accomplished. What's been done in Hendry County is what leadership is all about.

Affordable housing is a challenge all Florida communities face, even more so in the wake of the swarm of hurricanes of 2004 and 2005. It will take time to cobble together broad-based solutions, but in the meantime, Hendry County’s caring spirit has been a blessing to so many in the community in their time of need.

I thank all the groups that were part of this humanitarian project, particularly FEMA and CREW both of which did the heaviest lifting during the final two months.

----------

Liza McFadden is president and CEO of Volunteer Florida Foundation, a nonprofit foundation that manages the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund. She is based in Tallahassee.

The forgotten Wilma vicitms get help from one small rural community!

Clewiston and surrounding communities really pull together to cater to those volunteering their time to help out residents still recovering from Hurricane Wilma in Hendry and Glades counties. Local businesses, such as Cafe' Tropical, McDonald's, Subway, Burger King, Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q, Clewiston Bakery, and Common Grounds often offer free or reduced price meals for our volunteers. Community Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church and First United Methodist Church feed almost every group that visits at least one time a week for dinner, offering fellowship as well as nourishment. In addition First United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, Community Presbyterian Church, and Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal MI churches all provide rooms for these volunteers to crash and relax in while they are here working! Local social service and government agencies also pitch in to help find resources for the families as well, agencies such as The Empowerment Alliance of Southwest Florida, The United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties, the Rotary Club, the City of Clewisoton, the County SHIP programs in both Hendry and Glades counties, USDA Rural Development, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Committee on Relief, Lutheran Disaster Response, Volunteer Florida Foundation, and others all either helped provide direct assistance or fund the work of the volunteers,or help out with CREW expenses so that they could locate, recruit, coordinate, and fund this assistance.

CREW is Grateful!

CREW, Inc. had a very successful celebration and awards banquet on Saturday night (April 21, 2007). We celebrated the successes and discussed what more needs to be done. Exact figures for income minus costs are not in, but we figure that we made about $7,000 Saturday night.

We wanted to make sure the community knows that we did not do this alone. First and foremost, we know that God has had His hand in this from the beginning; we Praise and Thank Him for this. If it had not been for the Clewiston Ministerial Association, CREW would not have been born or gotten off the ground. The volunteers both local and from all over the country have helped us achieve the successful closing of 340 cases. We have had over 50 groups and numerous individuals both locally and from all over the nation assists us. Organized groups such as United Methodist Committee On Relief, Presbyterian Disaster Association, Lutheran Disaster Response and United Church of Christ have sent work teams repeatedly. We have over 350 open cases to go. We completed our first rebuild, have repaired numerous roofs and repaired interior damage, built handicapped ramps, removed debris, and demolished homes. We have completed assessments and developed case plans on 750 families. 90% of these cases are related to Hurricane Wilma, the remaining are Tropical Storm Ernesto and 4 were fire related.

The following partners have helped CREW become what it is today and were recognized at the banquet: Clewiston Ministerial Association, Ministerial Association of Hendry County, Community Presbyterian Church, Church World Service, Lutheran Disaster Response, Rotary Club, United Church of Christ, NFL/United Way Partnership, Presbyterian Disaster Association, United Methodist Committee On Relief, United Methodist Storm Recovery, United Way of Lee Hendry and Glades County, Voluntary Florida Foundation Disaster Recovery Fund, Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal MI, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, Iva Pittman, City of Clewiston, Aida Barnhart Hendry County SHIP program, Erica Villafuerte Glades County, Clewiston Inn, and The Empowerment Alliance of Southwest Florida.

The following people donated items to the silent auction at which we raised $460. Susan Deveney, Trish Adams, Mimi McCallum, Robin Lee Makowski, Sunkist Tanning, Hungry Howie’s, Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Que, and Paul and Helen Nelson.

God Bless Hendry and Glades Counties and all those who make it great!

Trish Adams, LCSW
Executive Director for CREW
Long Term Recovery Coordinator for United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties

CREW Fundraising Gala is a success!

The CREW fundraiser was a success and also was a chance for CREW to recognize all those individuals, families and agencies that have helped us along the way. Awards of appreciation were given to all those who helped CREW in meeting the needs of the community. Reverend John Hicks and Vice President of CREW David McClusky presented the awards and told the story of how CREW grew from a request made by the City of Clewiston to the Clewiston Ministerial Association. Friend and former Radio DJ and Chairman of Chamber of Commerce, Sean Moore, helped MC the night. Two of the families CREW helped also attended and told how much the help they received from CREW helped them get their lives back together. CREW also presented their first rebuild, for one of these families, with their official Certificate of Occupancy as a surprise after overcoming numerous road blocks. During the event, CREW shared about all the families they have been able to help (over 300), and how many more Hurricane Wilma families are still left to help (still over 300). They also shared their hopes that no future storms will wreck havac on our two counties, and talked about their plans to help residents in our counties recover from smaller disasters such as fires and tropical storms, as well as to promote disaster preparedness and awareness and to help mitigate homes in the future.

Check out the pictures! http://www.msnusers.com/CREWInc/shoebox.msnw

Pictures were taken a a gift by Photos by Renee. Visit their website at: http://www.prophotosbyrene.com/mp_includes/index.asp

CREW celebrates National Volunteer Week!

CREW celebrates Volunteer Appreciation Week! Grace Ministries from Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Coral was here on the 14th and Art Haas from the Lutheran Disaster Response volunteered all week. We also had our volunteer Long Term Recovery Meeting for FEMA related clients on Tuesday and our volunteer Long Term Recovery Meeting for the two counties as a whole on Wednesday. In addition, a new volunteer group arrives today from New Hampshire through the United Church of Christ Organization!

“Volunteers are not paid -- not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.”
Anonymous (from CRWRC Website)
http://www.crwrc.org/?action=d7_article_viewer_view_article&Join_ID=147772

CREW receives award at National VOAD conference!

C.R.E.W. Inc. wins award for National Excellence in long term recovery from National VOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) at their annual conference in beautiful New Mexico. The award was given for partnering with so many agencies and having a lot of heart and few resources but still managing to help so many in need from Hurricane Wilma and a handful from other disasters.

CREW helps clean up Clewiston!

CREW is dedicated to helping our community. On Saturday, their day off, four staff members (Laisa Mariana, Trish and Akiva), Board Treasuer Scott and five children (Ty-Sean, Bruce, Bobby, DJ and Jonathan) all pitched in on the CREW team to help Clean up Clewiston in the City's 2nd Annual Spring Cleaning. They filled up 13 bags of trash in just a four block radius! Pictured here is Scott, Bruce, Ty-Sean, Bobby, Trish, Mariana, and Laisa!

VOLUNTEER GROUPS PITCH IN!

A group of 10 volunteers from Tangier United Methodist Church in Virginia come and work the week of March 11th through March 17th on their vacation time to work on a Wilma destroyed home, replacing half of his roof, hanging drywall, finishing drywall, laying sub flooring in a bathroom and installing a bathtub. They also, repaired his porch from the roof to the screen. They worked hard the entire week in Clewiston.

A group of 30 High School students from Boca Raton Christian School students and 6 adults come for their Spring Break for the week of March 22nd through March 27th. The group worked on 3 homes, installing vinyl flooring throughout the entire homes. This group took the weekend off, and despite their bus having some starter issues managed a trip to Busch Gardens. They also helped with some demolition work. They worked in Montura and Ridgedill.

A group from the Presbyterian Church of Boca Raton returned (they have helped out several times before) for the day on March 17th. This group sent 10 volunteers to help install four windows, two doors, build a ramp and repair some drywall in Labelle.

Come to the GALA!

C.R.E.W. INC.
cordially invites you to a
"A FORMAL AFFAIR"

Come join the CREW Staff and Executive Board Members in acknowledging and showing their appreciation to their major contributors
and raise funds to help continue their mission of helping rebuild the communities within
Hendry and Glades Counties

Saturday, the Twenty -First Day of April
Two Thousand and Seven

Clewiston Inn
108 Royal Palm Ave
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm

All White Attire is Preferred

$75 per Plate or $350 per Table
All proceeds will be donated to
Community Rebuilding Ecumenical Workforce

Please RSVP by April 1, 2007
PLEASE CONTACT MS. AKIVA JOHNSON
@ 863-983-2390 OR
CREWHEADQUARTERS@HOTMAIL.COM

CREW helps reduce the number of families living in FEMA trailers in Hendry and Glades Counites.

CREW has been helping Hendry and Glades Counties reduce the number of FEMA trailers the residents are living in. We have helped get the number from over 200 to 126. We made referral for these families to other agencies that could help them, and we located donors who would help fund either their work they needed done, or materials for the volunteers we have recruited. We have been organizing the Long Term Recovery Meetings for these counties and working with local agencies that are ready to jump in and help (if they have the resources and if the families can qualify for the services). We have been working with Volunteer Florida Foundation who is funding the case management for this project!

Chalo Nitka Festival in Moorehaven

CREW staff held an information booth at the Chalo Nitka Festival in Moorehaven to let people who are still trying to recover from Hurricane Wilma know that we can help them. We also worked on letting people know about how to mitigate their home and make it stronger for future storms, what preparations to make as well. In addition we let them know about the volunteer opportunities available to them to help our residents.

February brings valentines and more volulnteers to rural south Florida

A retired couple from Michigan came and hung interior doors for our rebuild (which is for a retired couple) and installed a closet system that they purchased themselves for the family in Clewiston. They also painted and installed flooring throughout the home. Later another retired couple from Kentucky came and joined the party by installing kitchen cabinets, painting and installing doors as well. Later in February a retired couple from Maine came and worked on these same projects at this home.

Art, our lone volunteer from Michigan that has been here for months continued to help us on several projects. He helped various families by installing doors, windows, a vanity, and skirting. He worked all over Hendry and Glades counties.

Grace Ministries returned again in February from Cape Coral sending three volunteers. They love us so much he just can't stop volunteering their time to help families recover. They worked on one home in Pioneer, installing a ceiling, and framing a bay window. They return every month almost.

A group of freezing Lutherans traveled here from Seattle Washington. They worked on several small projects in Clewiston, Montura and Harlem replacing doors, installing sub flooring, laying tile, repairing household items, cleaning the stove and refrigerator, finishing drywall, and prepping for painting.

Another group from North Dakota came, this group laughed when we apologized for the cold 30 degree weather we were experiencing. They let us know that it was 30 below at home and they felt like it was summer weather. This group of 11 volunteers calling themselves the Lutheran Laymen's League worked on 3 roofs. This same week a group of 7 came from a Methodist church in Manassass Virgina worked on two roofs. Also this week a group of 20 volunteers worked on several roofs, tile, sanding and painting ceilings, and replacing sub flooring.

A Methodist church in Pompano Beach and a Presbyterian church in Plantation sent volunteers to hang drywall, giving up their Saturday to work with us.

A family of volunteers from Ohio and Maryland were the last ones to come in February. One of them often writes articles about us (over the past year) and loved what she was hearing so she came to help us out herself and brought her family with her. They worked installing drywall for a young family with three small children (one an infant) whose father is actively going through chemotherapy trying to battle his cancer.