IOWA: Project Cedar Rapids 90-Day Report

90 days in Cedar Rapids…and oh, what a ride it’s been

300th Home

The focus for the majority of Project Cedar Rapids has been cleaning out flood-affected homes. Through our dedicated efforts we reached and passed a milestone—we cleaned/gutted out our 300th home! As the project evolves we will continue mucking and gutting and work towards our membership in the 400 club.

We clean up pretty well too…Rebuilding & Mini-Grants
While mucking and gutting homes continues, one of our newer initiatives is rebuilding. Volunteers are insulating, framing, hanging doors and installing drywall, flooring, windows, and siding to repair flood-damaged homes. Our volunteer teams are moving at a pace that would make many professional contractors faint! Our lean and mean long-term volunteers coupled with skilled volunteer groups that join us for a weekend or week are getting people back in homes.

In appreciation of our work, the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, and Rockwell Collins both generously donated to Project Cedar Rapids. They are the latest to join the ranks of our enthusiastic supporters from around the area. These contributions have made a big impact in supporting our project, and have allowed us to develop a mini-grant initiative that provides rebuilding materials for residents who cannot afford them; our 3-day mini-grant approval process allows us to connect funding to residents with unmet needs in a timely manner and help get people over the hurdle of a financial stopping point. Thank you to all of our donors for your support our project, our volunteers and this community, as we work to get people back into their homes!

A little R&R in Palo
One family that we helped thanked HODR for hanging drywall in their home and threw a “Fish Fry” to celebrate the rebuilding. The food was delicious and our volunteers had a great time! Thank you!

We’re Getting the Band Back Together
The last 30 days has seen a lot of familiar faces and volunteer groups that have re-surfaced for a second, third or fourth trip back to Project Cedar Rapids! Coupled with the strong support of local groups like the Cedar Rapids Rotary Clubs, the CRWRC, church groups and hundreds of local individual volunteers, we have been able to continue making strides in the recovery process and we thank each and every volunteer who has been a part of the past 90 days.

Long Term Volunteer Love
We also want to take a moment to thank our core of long term volunteers, local and out-of-state, who lead our teams every day and have worked tirelessly to make this project what it has become. Through your efforts and dedication, you have made a significant and lasting impact on the lives of those affected by the flood, and on the short-term volunteers whose stay you help make so effective. You make HODR what it is and we appreciate all the work you’ve done and continue to do!

Project Cedar Rapids will continue through October 25th. Until that day we will be working harder then ever to serve the local community. Thank you to the Cedar Hills Community Church who opened their doors to us back in June and has been a gracious host throughout the project—your generosity has allowed HODR volunteers to…

Muck and Gut 309 homes
Coordinate 1800 volunteers from 39 states, France, Canada and China!
Work 26,408 volunteer hours
At a savings of $584,441.86 in labor costs to flood-affected residents

And we’re not done yet…

Bill Driscoll Jr.
US Operations Director
Hands On Disaster Response

USA: Hurricane Ike Assessment Update

Our Hurricane Ike assessment team evaluated damage and response levels in the coastal communities of both Texas and Louisiana. We assessed the needs that are present now and those that may arise in the coming weeks. In order to obtain the most accurate information possible, we met with numerous area emergency officials, church pastors, mayors, community members and representatives from other responding relief organizations.

We identified Bridge City, Texas as a potential project location based upon the high level of storm surge flooding. All but 20 of of the community’s 3,400 homes had taken on water. However, the presence of Operation Blessing, the CRWRC and various Baptist disaster relief organizations makes us feel comfortable that Bridge City is currently receiving the response it needs and that a HODR project is not required there at this time.

HODR will continue to monitor the status of areas affected by Hurricane Ike and will have regular contact with potential partnering organizations. If we find a compelling need remains that warrants our help within the next 3-4 weeks, we will re-evaluate the possibility of launching a project in November.

In the mean time, HODR's US Operations will be focused fully on Project Cedar Rapids to ensure a successful final month. PCR will be ending October 25, 2008 after having completed four months of flood recovery work. Click here for information on how you can volunteer now at Project Cedar Rapids.

USA: Hurricane Ike Assessment Announcement

Preliminary reports regarding Hurricane Ike indicate that there is widespread damage throughout a large portion of the Gulf Coast. In Texas, particularly in areas close to Galveston which took the brunt of the storm, there appears to be significant wind damage to numerous homes and businesses, as well as flooding due to storm surge. In addition, failed levees in Louisiana have caused flooding within multiple parishes, many of which were still recovering from Hurricane Gustav. Because the devastation is so extensive, officials have yet to enter some of the affected areas, but anticipate that up to 100,000 structures have been damaged.

HODR has deployed an assessment team consisting of Bill Driscoll Jr., Tiffany Kelley, and Aaron Davis. They are currently en route to the Gulf Coast to evaluate the situation and determine how HODR can be of assistance to those affected by this disaster. If you have any contacts in Texas or Louisiana that may assist in the assessment, please e-mail Tiffany at Tiffany@HODR.org. To help us gauge volunteer response, please e-mail Tom Taylor at info@HODR.org, if you are interested in volunteering should a project develop from this assessment.

Want to support our Hurricane Ike assessment? Please donate via credit card or PayPal at the left of this page -- more than 90% of all funds donated to HODR go directly toward our response efforts. Want to volunteer now? Click here for information on how you can get involved with Project Cedar Rapids, which will continue as planned through Oct. 25, 2008.

Frequent updates will be available on our US Operations micro-blog.

USA: Project Cedar Rapids 60-Day Report

60 Days in Cedar Rapids = 1300+ volunteers, 225 homes and let the drywall’n begin!

225 Homes!
HODR volunteers have completed the remarkable feat of mucking, gutting, and cleaning out 225 homes in just 60 days! We’ve completed the installation of drywall on 3 homes and are moving forward with more rebuilding projects.

Partnerships
Since our 30-day report we have formed a few new relationships with other organizations and local companies and have continued to grow partnerships that we made at the start of Project Cedar Rapids.

Haber Family and AEGON
The Haber Family, HODR volunteer alumni, volunteered at Project Cedar Rapids and while here donated $50,000. The family reached out to local corporations and funding possibilities and secured a matching donation from the AEGON Transamerica Foundation, providing a total of $100,000 toward PCR’s rebuilding efforts. More than 300 AEGON employees have volunteered with HODR since the first week of PCR. Thank you Haber Family and AEGON for your volunteerism and financial support which will allow us to expand our reach and services in the Cedar Rapids community.

Rotary Clubs
The Rotary Clubs of Cedar Rapids and the surrounding area have stepped up to support HODR. The Rotary donated enough tools and equipment to outfit four drywall installation and finishing teams. Local Rotary Clubs have also been sending volunteer teams to help muck and gut homes. Thank you Rotarians!

MCC
The Minnesota Conservation Corps has concluded what we hope is just round one of their service at Project Cedar Rapids. From July 18th to August 14th the MCC’ers lent a hand providing team leadership and vital project continuity. Their presence at PCR brought HODR’s response to the next level of operations capacity.

AmeriCorps VISTA
David Eisner, CEO of The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), delivered the keynote and handed out certificates of recognition from the Governor of Iowa to AmeriCorps VISTA members assisting the flood recovery efforts. Core Project Cedar Rapids staff members were among those honored. Jeremey Horan, Tiffany Kelley, and Andrew Kerr received certificates and chatted with Mr. Eisner following the ceremony.

All three HODR/VISTA members came to Project Cedar Rapids as volunteers, and when the opportunity arose to get a small stipend and education award by partnering with the VISTA program they gladly joined. We hope this is the start of long and fruitful direct relationship with AmeriCorps.

Media Frenzy…well almost
August kicked off an onslaught of media coverage highlighting HODR’s volunteer efforts in Iowa. Click below to view two of the stories that appeared.

ABC World News ‘Person of the Week’: HODR Volunteer Daniel Greene

Cedar Rapids Gazette: ‘Hands On Spirit’

Volunteers Pay it Forward
A group from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College traveled from Southern Mississippi to PCR to aid in the flood recovery. Some of the college students had been greatly affected by Hurricane Katrina three years ago and felt that they could pay it forward. Sun Herald Article

Congressional Support
US Congressman Dave Loesback threw on an N95 mask and broke a sweat helping gut and carry debris from a flood-damaged home, volunteering alongside other HODR volunteers one afternoon on a gutting and mucking job in the Cedar Rapids district he represents. The Congressman also spent time talking with the homeowners and fellow volunteers about their work and the road ahead.

Neighborhood Picnic
A group of local residents read the great Cedar Rapids Gazette article and decided they wanted to throw a party. They invited all of the HODR volunteers to their neighborhood to thank them for their service. The picnic, which spread out over three back yards, included games, delicious food, good company and conversation. The thought put into the event meant a lot to all of the volunteers.

BBQ at Church
The owners of Certified Pest Control of Cedar Rapids also wanted to show their appreciation for what HODR has done for their town. They came to the Cedar Hills Community Church one evening and hosted a BBQ for volunteers. It was a fun time complete with great music and delicious food.

US Cellular
US Cellular continues to be a strong supporter of HODR and Project Cedar Rapids. They have donated the use of cell phones to help our operations team communicate and keep costs to a minimum. US Cellular’s contribution allows HODR to save resources and provide more assistance in the community.

In just 60 days Project Cedar Rapids has:

-Coordinated 1,357 volunteers from 37 states, France and Canada

-Gutted, mucked and cleaned out 225 homes

-Contributed 14,245+ volunteer hours

-And $363,579.95+ value of donated labor

-Removed 18,000+ cubic yards of debris

Days 30 thru 60 were well spent. We continued our surge of volunteers and help for the area. Our momentum will carry us through to the end of the project and help plant the seeds for this community to grow again.

Bill Driscoll Jr.
US Operations Director
Hands On Disaster Response

HODR Video Update

Bill Driscoll Jr. Joins HODR as Operations Director

CARLISLE, Mass., June 12 -- Hands On Disaster Response (HODR) is proud to welcome aboard Bill Driscoll Jr. to its Operations Staff, to focus on domestic responses. As founder of Persevere Disaster Relief, Inc., Driscoll brings with him two years of experience in disaster relief management.

Driscoll first partnered with HODR during the organization's Hurricane Katrina response in Biloxi, Mississippi. As a full-time volunteer, Driscoll was a critical member of the operation, leading groups of volunteers and providing media support. In January 2006, First Lady Laura Bush presented Driscoll with the Presidential Call to Service Award for his work with HODR.

At the conclusion of HODR's Katrina Relief Project, Driscoll founded Persevere Disaster Relief, Inc. As Executive Director of Persevere, Driscoll coordinated recovery work on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for another year and a half.

Both Driscoll and HODR are excited to be working together once again. David Campbell, Executive Director of HODR, said, "We are impressed with Bill's leadership and effectiveness over the past year and we are thrilled to have him on the team."

Driscoll, a native of Milton, MA, graduated from Boston College in 2005 and brings with him an impressive background in film production and communications.

For additional information on HODR's addition of Bill Driscoll Jr. as Operations Director please contact Bill Driscoll Jr. at bill@hodr.org

UPDATE: Kansas Tornado Relief

Please read the full Greensburg Tornado Project Summary by clicking here.

HODR Update & Announcements

HandsOn Disaster Response family:

Hi Guys. Sorry we have been sparse in communication, here's an attempt to update you on a broad range of happenings.

- This was intended as a "catch-up" communication, but in the last 24 hours we have decided to deploy to the Philippines to aid the victims of Typhoon Durian. Scuba Marc will arrive in Manila Thursday, Dec 7th, and will reconnoiter (always wanted to use that word...) to choose the place where we can have real impact. We'll plan a four month project, and will be encouraging volunteers as soon as we have a safe place for housing; plus a good working situation. I assume we'll have substantial information within the next several days. Our current plan would to be in place until about April 30th, to offer $1,000 toward travel costs for alumni of any prior Hands On project, and to be doing "Hands On" work asap.

- There is a Hands On Manila affiliate, and we'll looking to them for guidance and connections.

- A good source for current information on the situation is www.reliefweb.org, we'll also start updating www.hodr.org regularly, and frequently.

We will need to raise substantial funds, probably in the range of $300K. We'll start reaching out to past donors, but please be creative in considering any way to raise this major funding requirement.

Jogjakarta Marc Young, with initial help from TC, then Dave and JoAnne Driscoll, then Kevin, Jeremy, Stephanie, Michelle and dozens of others, ran a pure HandsOn project for 4 months in Sawit, Indonesia. About 60 volunteers, half alumni and half new to HODR, participated. Please read Marc's glorious reports at www.hodr.org, and share the pride and stories the team developed together. In a classic example of HandsOn karma Nick Taranto, a HOUSA alum now working on a microfinance Fulbright program, came to Indonesia, and crossed paths with HODR – we are going to put up the $7,200 to fund this ongoing program to help sustain activity in getting Sawit back on its feet. Overall we spent about $50K on Jogjakarta, your donations, through the website or by mail, to help replace those funds would be much appreciated .

Reunion We had a fun reunion week, with many thanks to Suzanne Stahl for being the prime organizer. Work was done, songs were sung, a great time capsule ceremony took place at Beauvoir, volunteers performed the Sarah Hughes play "Dreaming Biloxi" at the Saenger Thetre, we had a sunset sailboat ride; you know, all the standard disaster volunteer stuff.

Financial We've completed our full fiscal year, and will have our IRS form 990 filed within a few weeks. Current draft shows we raised $770K with total management expense of 3.3%. Thanks to Tom Taylor for his extensive efforts getting the finances organized.

Hands On Network continues to operate full bore in both Biloxi ( Hands On Gulfcoast) and New Orleans. While we planned to share our next deployment together thankfully the easy hurricane season has, miraculously, passed us by. We continue our active dialogue toward moving forward together with HandsOnNetwork.

Opportunities We gave some consideration to helping out with the tree damage after the blizzard in Buffalo, and after the earthquake in Hawaii. We decided "no" in both case, based on our perception of the level of disaster impact, and the local response capability. Interestingly, Jim Mahar, one of our great HOUSA volunteers and leader of the St Bonaventure teams, has launched BonaResponds, and is leading a volunteer effort in the Buffalo area most weekends. We chipped in some money for some quality chainsaws, and they've also linked with a local HON chapter, so there may be more activity forthcoming there.

Coastal CHC We continue the support of Coastal, and the team has been instrumental in helping them receive a major rebuilding grant of $6.3M, plus several other targeted fundings. Getting the cash out of these grants is a constant battle, but we're engaged.

National response Plan There has been much Katrina induced activity to improve disaster response; DHS is working on a coordinated planning effort, and the corporate community has launched: www.respondtodisaster.com; we try to stay tuned in to these programs.

That's it for now – please feel free to call or write, we're active, speaking occasionally, investigating partnerships, etc. Happy to appear anywhere to bear witness to what happened, or what we think should happen.

David N Campbell -Executive Director

PS. A Message from Darius

Hello all,

I recently met a gentleman from Vancouver, B.C. who has an interesting business model with, in my opinion a great purpose. Here is their statement from their site:

mondonation is committed to inspiring positive, global change through the development of sustainable, charitable strategies. Our 'believe' t-shirts are just the first in a series of ethical products geared to give back to all world communities. For every shirt or product bought from mondonation $1, $5, $10, or $20 (you decide) is given back to the charity of your choice.

Hands On Worldwide is one of the approved charities and I encourage you to wear your belief shirt and support Hands On at the same time. They have a beautiful website and some great videos too... check them out at www.mondonation.com

Also, we're working with mondonation to create a joint marketing campaign around a disaster... we're working around the idea of custom made prayer flags that provide a donation to HODR.

Darius A Monsef -Operations Director