By Jeff Walukonis, F426222
March 2018
On June 23, 2016, torrential rains caused devastating floods that resulted in 23 deaths in West Virginia, including 15 in Greenbrier County alone. Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed. Twelve counties were declared federal disaster areas, which allowed for federal funding through FEMA.
Since the flooding, 65 groups have sent more than 2,200 volunteers to the area served by the Greater Greenbrier Long-Term Recovery Committee (GGLTRC). Those volunteers have devoted 58,000 hours to removing debris from streets and streams, mucking out and repairing flooded homes, building replacement homes, feeding families and volunteers, and a host of other activities.
Last October, hundreds of campers attended FMCA’s Eastern Area Rally at the State Fairgrounds of West Virginia in Lewisburg, including members of the FMCA Energized group. One of our goals is to give back to the communities we visit, and we wanted to do that in Lewisburg. Energized members organized rally attendees who were willing to roll up their sleeves and help this hard-hit area before and after the rally.
Over a two-week period, FMCA Energized and FMCA Chapter: Habitat for Humanity® members worked more than 1,400 hours on projects that included constructing new homes, building porches and access ramps, hanging and finishing drywall, painting, assembling furniture, repairing windows, and more.
These 1,400 hours were then matched by grants at $20.43 per hour to provide for construction materials. So, the groups’ in-kind contribution of volunteer hours have a value of $28,602 for materials, in addition to the donated labor.
Dave Lumsden, GGLTRC’s executive chairman, said: “We are deeply grateful for the thousands of volunteers, and FMCA members in particular, who’ve given up work and vacation time, made monetary donations, and just reassured us that we are not alone in our efforts to help our flood survivors recover from the flood.” As of December 2017, he pointed out, 170 families still needed assistance. “We would welcome a return visit by FMCA anytime, not only to help meet those needs, but also to enjoy this wonderful valley as it returns to normal.”
Donations, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to the Greater Greenbrier Long-Term Recovery Committee, 809 Jefferson St. S., Lewisburg, WV 24901.