08523
July 22, 2008
East Iowa Presbytery appeals for immediate help
Structural engineer, home inspector, volunteers needed ASAP
Oakville, IA — With the “muck-out” of homes devastated by spring floods in the upper Midwest only 10-15 percent complete and hot summer weather creating advancing mold, East Iowa Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has put out an urgent appeal for volunteers.
Stan Tate, the site coordinator for Oakville, said there is immediate need for a structural engineer, architect or builder who can give advice on how to shore up several small, single-family homes that are at particular risk.
Tate said the assessments could be done in one day. Any volunteers who are available for that task should contact Tate directly.
Other volunteers are needed to help “muck out” homes and other buildings that were flooded. “The clock is running on these untreated homes, as the mold is advancing rapidly with the hot humid weather,” the presbytery said in its appeal. Those interested in helping with that work should contact Richard at the presbytery office.
Two specialized volunteers are also being sought: a home inspector and someone to answer the phones, make appointments and help keep records.
The presbytery’s recovery effort is being done in cooperation with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. For more information or to register a team of volunteers, call the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121.
A local television station ran a story recently about St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Davenport, IA, a 57-member congregation that is housing volunteers for the flood recovery effort. That story can be viewed here.
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