Iowa: Project Update
We are assisting the Jasper County Emergency Management Agency and City of Colfax, Iowa with their flood recovery. We have undertaken a Coordinative Services project in Jasper County by proving support with intake of requests for volunteer assistance from the community, coordination of spontaneous unaffiliated volunteers as well as the facilitation of a system connecting requests to regional and national nonprofits responding in the area.
We have established a local phone number that is being used to funnel interested local volunteers and requests for assistance into one central database, the backbone of our operation.
We are working with groups such as NECHAMA Jewish Response to Disaster, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) and Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief. All currently have volunteer teams ranging from 6-12 volunteers in Colfax, IA performing cleanup, tear-out and sanitation work on flood damaged homes.
The project will be ongoing for the next several weeks or until the requests and volunteer flow slow down and the operation can be transitioned to a local organization for the long term recovery.
Project Cedar Rapids Rebuild Final Report
During the spring of 2008 Cedar Rapids, IA experienced unprecedented flooding that affected over 5,000 homes, forever changing the look and feel of the town. In response, HODR setup a 4 month project to help homeowners deal with the immediate aftermath by coordinating volunteers to help clean out homes of destroyed belongings. During our project we also helped homeowners do home rebuild/refurbish work, providing the skilled labor required to hang and finish drywall as well as other skilled tasks.
Fast forward almost two years and HODR returned for a concentrated rebuild effort during the month of April, 2010. Working through local organizations Block by Block and The Community Recovery Center, HODR was able to plug into existing rebuilding efforts, which allowed us to maximize our time on the ground. During the course of our project we saw a lot of familiar faces return to lend their skills to help get families back in their homes.
“Move that Bus…”
Over the course of the 17-day project, we coordinated 39 volunteers who worked 1,209 hours and completed work on 13 homes. The estimated value of the volunteers’ donated labor is $23,321.61. Thanks to the skills of the volunteers, we were able to have a significant impact by engaging in work on a range of projects, from framing up houses to final touches like painting…truly spanning the spectrum of rebuilding activities.
Partners in Rebuild
HODR is extended its impact beyond the work we completed directly on homes by underwriting the costs of materials for work to continue on 12 additional homes. Thanks to grants from the Greater Cedar Rapids Foundation, Aegon Insurance and The Homebuilder’s Association, HODR was been able to fund the material purchases for homes that qualify as having outstanding needs through ‘Block by Block.’ HODR is excited to have been able to help support the work of a great local organization dedicated to preserving and rebuilding neighborhoods affected by the flooding, and to support these additional families in need.
Helping Hands
Of course none of this would’ve been possible without help from our home away from home—The Cedar Hills Community Church and Pat Garwood. This combination of support has been the cornerstone of our operations in Cedar Rapids from the beginning. The church always has their doors open and Pat is always ready to feed our volunteers—we thank you both for your continued support and are lucky to have you as part of the HODR family. I’d also like to thank HODR alumn, Ted Hanno who stepped into a Project Coordinator role—his skill, attitude and general good nature were a tremendous asset to the project.
Looking ahead
HODR’s primary role in disaster response has been to provide interim, spontaneous volunteer coordination, getting volunteers into affected communities to do the work that needs to be done. Our work on this project has opened the door to the possibility of extending HODR’s operational capacity to see communities through the initial response phase and to aid in longer term recovery. While no plans for additional rebuilding projects are in the works at this time, this has proven our ability to be effective in long term recovery.
Making future rebuild projects a reality depends on you—our volunteers. If you have construction experience and are interested in lending your time to become more involved, please email Tom at info@HODR.org so that we can contact you in preparation for potential rebuild projects in the future.
-Jeremey Horan
Project Director
Project Cedar Rapids Rebuild
Hands On Disaster Response
IOWA: Project Cedar Rapids Rebuild Update
Throughout April 2010, HODR coordinated nearly 40 volunteers helping residents affected by the 2008 floods in Cedar Rapids, IA. This was HODR's first planned rebuilding project, and we had a productive month back in Iowa working on drywall, framing, and providing families with mini-grants of rebuilding materials.
Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to lend a hand, and to our long-time friend the Cedar Hills Community Church, our home away from home.
Check back here soon for the project Final Report – Coming soon!
Click here for more info about this project. Photos.
IOWA: Project Cedar Rapids Rebuild
Update: Project Cedar Rapids Rebuild came to a close at the end of April. Click here for more info.
During the summer of 2008 HODR set up a project in response to the unprecedented flooding that affected more than 5000 homes in the greater Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. Our work focused on responding to the immediate needs of the community by providing them with teams of volunteers to help clean out flood-affected homes. Throughout the course of the project we coordinated over 2000 volunteers and worked on 400+ homes, benefiting hundreds of families. As the project progressed HODR moved into rebuild activities, helping homeowners navigate the permitting process, installing and finishing drywall, and providing mini-grants to cover shortfalls in rebuilding materials to get families one step closer to returning home.
HODR is happy to be heading back to Cedar Rapids for the month of April, where we will continue our work rebuilding/refurbishing homes affected by the flooding. Even though time has passed, the need in Cedar Rapids is still great as hundreds of families have yet to return to their homes. Working in partnership with the Cedar Rapids Community Recovery Center, Linn Area Long Term Recovery Committee and the Cedar Hills Community Church, HODR plans on renewing that “one step closer” spirit from 2008 and working on several homes in the community on their road to recovery.
Project Cedar Rapids – Rebuild is HODR’s first-ever “planned” response, as opposed to an immediate disaster response project. In addition to partnerships with local organizations, we are very grateful to have the support of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, AEGON Insurance and the Cedar Rapids Home Builders Association, who are providing funding for the materials and project.
This project is different from traditional HODR responses, in that the work requires familiarity with and ideally prior experience in home construction. Projects will likely include carpentry, framing, drywall installation and finishing.
We are seeking skilled volunteers to help us with theses tasks, so if you're interested please be in touch. We also have limited space for unskilled volunteers, so if you're interested in volunteering and do not have that experience we would also like to hear from you. Please email Tom at info@HODR.org to get more information on the project.
We look forward to being back in Cedar Rapids in April and hope to see you there!
Follow our work on Twitter @HODRopsUSA
IOWA: Project Cedar Rapids Final Report
June 23 – October 25, 2008
Over the course of 4 months volunteers at Project Cedar Rapids (PCR) brought strong doses of hope, energy and progress everyday to the communities of Palo and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. More than 2000 volunteers worked with HODR and directly assisted 460 households affected by the historic flooding.
400 city blocks in Cedar Rapids underwater, 415 of 423 homes in City of Palo affected
Click here to view an Associated Press report from June 14, 2008 that contains aerial footage of Cedar Rapids underwater and describes the magnitude of the disaster. A HODR assessment team arrived days later to begin evaluating the damage and needs.
When the assessment team arrived the flooding had subsided and left the affected areas devastated. During our assessment the needs were obvious and we immediately decided to begin working in the city of Palo, focusing on helping to coordinate mucking and gutting crews to clean out affected homes and businesses. Water damaged building materials such as wood, insulation and drywall all need to be removed after a flood. Volunteers with energy and a desire to help came to lend a hand, offering help to residents for many of whom removing furniture, ruined belongings and the interior construction of their home was just too overwhelming.
PCR coordinated the most volunteers of any HODR project to date, coordinating 2,185 total volunteers. On any given day we had between 30 and 115 volunteers working with us either gutting homes or helping put them back together. Most volunteers spent their time helping gut and muck homes. By projects end we cleaned-out a total of 403 homes. As the area progressed dedicated long-term volunteers transitioned into the rebuild phase and led teams of both skilled and unskilled volunteers that helped get families back into homes.
PCR by the Numbers:
40,000 volunteer hours
460 Households served
$800,000 in donated labor
The following video is ten-minute mini-documentary about Project Cedar Rapids and what the power of volunteers can accomplish.
A Project of Firsts
The hard work of our enthusiastic volunteers and staff brought about several milestones and partnerships that we hope we can build upon in the future…
PCR was HODR’s first almost entirely “self-sustained” project, both in the number of local volunteers (more than 1000) and PCR-targeted donations, which allowed us to pull only a limited amount of funding from HODR’s general operating fund.
In addition to a significant donation from the Haber Family, HODR’s first grant and corporate funding from the Aegon Transamerica Foundation, United Way of East Central Iowa, the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, and Rockwell Collins, allowed us to expand beyond our normal reach by developing a mini-grant program. PCR’s mini-grants provided qualified flood-affected residents in need of financial support $500 - $5,000 to purchase appliances and/or building materials to repair their home. This funding coupled with a donation of tools and supplies from local Rotary Clubs allowed HODR to enter the post-disaster “Rebuild Phase” for the first time.
In addition to financial support more than 400 Aegon employees also gave their time volunteering at PCR.
Daniel Green a teenage volunteer that stepped up to lead teams with volunteers 3 times his age was featured as The Person of the Week on ABC World News Tonight marking the first time HODR received major network coverage. Click here to watch the story.
Over the course of the project we had the pleasure of hosting and working alongside three AmeriCorps teams. A team from the Minnesota Conservation Corps and two AmeriCorps NCCC teams became the first AmeriCorps teams to officially join HODR on a project. They must have had a great time because after the teams headed home or off to other assignments many of the individual members came back to PCR during their time off.
The city of Palo gave us their Above and Beyond Award that read:
“For demonstrating leadership in helping the community and the city of Palo in a time of need….thank you for all of the hard-work dedication, and time you have given to our community…Your efforts and expertise have been greatly appreciated”
Many, many thanks
A BIG THANK YOU to all of the volunteers and donors who made this project possible and ultimately such a success. Together we touched nearly 500 households in need and continued the HODR tradition of an effective volunteer model aiding recovery and rebuilding after a natural disaster. I had the privilege of working with a phenomenal group of volunteers. The PCR team of long-term volunteers had the chaotic and daunting task of teaching and leading between 30 and 100 first time volunteers each day. PCR was a success because of the focus and patience of the long-term volunteers who spent weeks and months working in Iowa.
We initially operated out of space provided by the generous Ralston Construction Company in Palo. As we finished the bulk of the work in Palo and shifted our focus to Cedar Rapids we moved to The Cedar Hills Community Church (CHCC). The CHCC welcomed HODR to its community and served as our base of operations where we housed, fed, and coordinated volunteers who came to help from 37 states and 4 countries. Thanks to a flexible CHCC staff, the donation of an office trailer by the Coonrod family, and some temporary bunk beds and showers built by HODR volunteer Bill Sr., the PCR operations center comfortably hosted 501 volunteers during the project.
Pat Garwood, a CHCC member, headed up a team of church and community members that fed us every night of the week. No easy task, Pat and dozens of locals always made sure that we had enough delicious fuel in our stomachs to get right back at it the next morning.
John Burianek, a life long resident of Cedar Rapids and US Postal Service retiree turned HODR volunteer became our local guide and knowledge base. John’s daily presence in the office helped HODR coordinate dozens of spontaneous and long-term volunteers each day. His knowledge of the area both geographically and historically gave HODR an edge and helped us accomplish things at the blistering pace we always strive for.
Thank you to Molly Rossiter and The Cedar Rapids Gazette who covered PCR in several articles that helped spread the word about our efforts and gave the greater community a glimpse into HODR. Special thanks to HODR volunteer Kevin Allocca for his help producing the PCR mini-documentary.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of PCR and gave their time, money and hearts to make a difference in the recovery of the Cedar Rapids area.
Bill Driscoll Jr.
US Operations Director
Hands On Disaster Response
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: 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
USA: Project Cedar Rapids in the Press
Click here for the Cedar Rapids Gazette's comprehensive coverage of HODR's ongoing flood relief project in Iowa.
ABC News: ‘Person of the Week’ Volunteer Daniel Greene
Daniel Greene, Project Cedar Rapids volunteer, was featured as 'Person of the Week' on ABC's World News for his work with HODR.
"Daniel Greene, a 16-year-old from Atlanta, wanted to work outdoors for the summer. He thought about construction work, but wound up doing de-construction work instead...'You can't come to a place like this and leave,' Greene said. 'You want to stay out here as long as you can to give as much help as possible.'"
Click here for the full article and video segment that was broadcast nationally Friday, August 1, 2008.
