Sunday, May 31, 2009

What's REALLY going on in the flood areas

Well, we hit the streets of the SW side of Cedar Rapids effected by the flood this week and there were a few surprises...

1) I can't believe how well a lot of folks are doing. My fellow canvassers (is that a word?) and I went door-to-door to help give the city one big map of every home touched by the flood. Where are folks at? Mucked out? Rebuilding? Rebuilt? Most common answer was "rebuilding" and "rebuilt." A lot of folks affected by the great flood got on the ball, called on family and friends and churches and charities for help and got to work. Iowans are quietly resilient. I wonder how many people though are still quietly hurting inside?

2) Unfortunately there are still a few "eyesores" right next door to the rebuilds of people who have simply walked away and haven't even mucked out their homes. Sad angle to this story: We have all the volunteers we need for the job and we will do it for free; it's just tracking down these homeowners. Who are they? How do you get ahold of them to offer our help? Hopefully this canvassing will turn up a few names. Stay tuned. (BTW, This could cost the homeowners and/or taxpayers an arm and a leg to scoop off the curb after FEMA money for debris removal dries up June 12th. I'm told $2,000 a house.)

3) So far the canvassing has turned up 140 new homeowners who said they would like help! That's awesome! What a feather in the Recovery Coalition's hat. Of course, many of those folks will likely be whittled down as they attempt to qualify for help, but in the end, it will most likely mean a number of new projects for the thousands of volunteers coming in from out-of-state. Thanks to all the kind-hearted folks from First Lutheran Church for helping with this much needed, very fruitful survey! You ARE the hands and feet of Christ. Good job!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

"Pray-ers" Needed for Flood Anniversary

"Pray-ers" Needed for Flood Anniversary

Do you like to pray? How about for other people? Well we've got a gig for you...

First Lutheran needs 9 volunteers to fill the prayer tent at the "Healing the Heartland" Festival at the Kingston Sports Complex to mark the one year anniversary of the flood. Our church has committed to having at least three people in the tent from 12 PM to 3 PM on Saturday, June 13. Can you cover a one-hour shift?

**UPDATE** We got all the folks we need. Thank you!!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

RAINDATE: People Needed to Canvas Flooded Areas!

This event has been moved to Thursday. Are you availible that day? Please post! Be sure to include your first and last name.

Guess what the big problem facing Flood Recovery in Cedar Rapids this summer? No, it's not needing more volunteers. Some 4,000 people are expected to come to Cedar Rapids in the next few months. The big problem is there might not be enough work for them! Can you believe that? Why? It gets confusing, but the short answer is many people are doing it themselves, there's lead paint restrictions, and there's a lack of knowledge of the need out there.

What can you do? Ah, good question! The Rebuild Coalition announced today that a citywide canvas of the flooded areas turned up 140 new homeowners asking for help! That's great! They canvassed all 2,875 effected homes EXCEPT a few neighborhoods. I nearly jumped out of my seat when I heard this and said we at First Lutheran Church would love to help them finish this! What do you think? Are you up for it?

We have 10 packets of surveys that will take 2 people 1 an hour and half to complete. The survey is simple. You knock on doors and ask questions. I'll teach you everything you need to know. I'm proposing three times; I'll narrow it down to the two most popular:

Thurs. May 27, 9:30-11:30 AM
Thurs. May 27, 2:00-4:00 PM
Thurs. May 27, 6:00-8:00 PM

Please post your availability and your comments below....

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Thanking God for Barb

I have been praying one of those daylong prayers today of thanksgiving to God for Barb Hanson. Have you ever had those? ...a prayer that just sticks with ya? She has been firmly on my heart since this AM and I continue to thank God for her late into the night as I write this. Barb is one of those people who hears the tune "Here I am, Lord" and raises her hand and says, "Here I AM, Lord!"

The skinny: This morning at our FLC staff meeting we began our transition of flood coordination from Barb to myself. She and I will continue to meet weekly through the summer to keep each other "in the loop" on what's happening. It's overwhelming to think of the plethora of work she's done for almost a FULL YEAR now on disaster relief. I am proud to have her on our team at FLC! If you get a chance, please thank her for all the work she's done and continues to do.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Cookouts Coming/Housing Delayed

Lot of action today at the old FLC. Got my diploma yesterday and I'm raring to go on this flood stuff. We have a meeting this Thursday night to figure out where to hold the Friday, June 12th cookout in the Metro/McKinley neighborhood. BTW...come along and bring your appetite; we have free food for 500!

Bad news on the Housing front. The coalition is having trouble finding houses to work on. The need is there, but people are not coming forth to match the 1,000's of volunteers who want to help. Good problem to have? I don't know. There is also a lot of red tape and the process is slow for those in the system. Long story short - we will continue working on our one house we have and get assigned two more likely in July.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Friday Night Cookouts need YOU!

FLC is helping to host two of the ten Friday night neighborhood cookouts as part of Serve the City's Healing the Heartland Celebration the weekend of the anniversary of the flood. Please read on and "post" your ideas and if you are willing to help out:

Bever Neighborhood Cookout @ Bever Park Pavilion
6-9 PM Friday, June 12th
FLC Point Person: Ben Lucas (& Craig Brown)
Looking for folks to flip hamburgers, serve lemonade, bring a lawn game, do face painting, d.j. some music, and/or share a smile of Christ's love for people in the neighborhood.

Metro/McKinley Neighborhood Cookout @ Location TBA (Do you have any ideas of a good spot to hold a big picnic? Please post your thoughts)
6-9 PM Friday, June 12th
FLC Point Person: Craig Brown & Al Fletcher
Looking for folks to flip hamburgers, serve lemonade, bring a lawn game, do face painting, d.j. some music, and/or share a smile of Christ's love for people in the neighborhood.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Flood Recovery Nearing

Meetings are underway at First Lutheran Church for our flood recovery in 3 homes ruined by last year's great flood. Watch this blog for regular updates starting in a few days!