Reconstruction Sites

This month our reconstruction sites will be closing for the summer. Pray that all may go well and that the volunteers are able to finish all the work that needs to be completed before summer.

1. Gulfport, Mississippi (4/19 – 5/10)
Disaster: Hurricane Katrina, August 2005
Reconstruction site established: 9/11/06
Project Managers: Ken & Mary Geurink
Onsite Manager: Bruce & Ruth Hekman
Construction Supervisors: Lawrence & Marie De Peuter
Team: Heine & Bonnie Vander Veen, Art & Carol Schaafsma, Richard Haagsma, Jack & Pat Buist, Jeff Nowell, Kathleen Haran

2. Slidell, Louisiana (4/26 – 5/17)
Disaster: Hurricane Katrina, August 2005
Reconstruction site established: 9/6/06
Project Managers: Tony & Jennie De Weerd
Onsite Managers: Dennis & Sharon Mulder
Construction Supervisors: Don & Gert Vos
Team: Gord Nyhof, Jerry & Marlene Koster, Wink & Dot Zylstra, Norm & Donna Rosema, Randy Hedman

3. Laurel, Mississippi (4/26 – 5/17)
Disaster: Hurricane Katrina, August 2005
Reconstruction site established: 10/11/06
Project Managers: Doug & Pat Guikema
Onsite Managers: Doug & Pat Guikema
Construction Supervisors: Martin Vander Meulen
Team: Len & Barb VanderVelden, Len & Marie Broersma, Bill & Helen Schenk, Doug & Mary Van Der Meulen, Verne Van Houten, Gary Hasper, Warren De Boer, Vonnie VanderPloeg, John & Teresa Hoekstra, Irving Lundell

4. Port Arthur, Texas (4/19 – 5/10)
Disaster: Hurricane Rita, September 2005
Reconstruction site established: 10/11/06
Project Managers: Dan & Lynne De Boer
Onsite Managers: Rick & Bonnie Wiersma
Construction Supervisors: John & Sandra Elsinga
Team: Jim & Elaine Neymeiyer, Laura Elsinga, Herman & Peggy Klap, Al & Trynette Brander, Ettiena Kruk, Beth Lanser, Jack & Hilda De Vries

Needs Assessment – Clatsop County, OR
Disaster: Flooding, December 2007
Regional Project Manager: Jay De Boer
Needs Assessment Leaders: Herm & Joan Fransen
Team: Duwayne & Carole Heilman, George & Gladys Visser, Ron & Phyllis Kamstra, Terry Berkompas, Don Klompeen

Needs Assessment – Monticello, IN
Disaster: Flooding, Spring 2008
Regional Project Managers: Ed & Helen Mulder
Needs Assessment Leaders: Garry & Lynne Den Besten
Team: Henry & Adele Beezhold, Ron & Chris Zigterman, Dave & Sandra Helder, Ed & Helen Mulder, Jim Groen

Needs Assessment – Grays Harbor County, WA
Disaster: Flooding, December 2007
Regional Project Manager: Jay DeBoer
Needs Assessment Leaders: Larry & Nancy Groothuis
Team: Jim Romahn, Gerald & Marjory Vrieling, Gil & Jan Blankespoor, Bill & Grace Hoogland, Marlo & Carol De Young, Jim & Sharon Zoetewey

Work Groups

In 2006, DRS made a decision to work in a neighborhood called Gaston Point in Gulfport, MS. Gaston Point covers 1 square mile and was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. In September of 2006 DRS volunteers began the task of rebuilding homes. DRS has committed to build one more home before the site is closed for the summer. This home is for a disabled military veteran. Right now this veteran is living in a trailer with no plumbing. Are you able to help?

DRS is looking for skilled volunteers that would like to help build one more house in Gulfport, MS, this spring. Framers began their work on April 29, and it is hoped that it will be finished by May 22. If you are a skilled worker and have 1 week or more available to help, please call Art Opperwall at 800-848-5818.

We have opportunities for volunteer groups in Tennessee (tornadoes), Indiana (flooding), and in Katrina and Rita areas for this summer. If you would like more information please contact Art Opperwall at opperwaa@crcna.org

Announcements from our DRS "Family"

As you reach milestones or experience special events in your life be sure to send them in so they can be posted on the website. We will continue using this space also to highlight the DRS staff so you can get to know us a bit better.

Congratulations to Torey and Dan Kittleson on the birth of a healthy baby girl!
Hailey Elyse was born April 28. We give thanks for this new life.

Staff Highlight - Luanne Mellema

Luanne Mellema is the newest staff member in the DRS office. She will be covering the front desk Tuesday – Thursday.

Family stats: I married my high school sweetheart, Jim, on April 30, 1971. We have two children, Rachelle and Ryan. Rachelle is married to Rob and they have two daughters, Alissa and Hailey, who make grandparenting a joy for us. Our son, Ryan, is 29 years old and lives in a group home near our house. He works every day at Decc Industries under the direction of Hope Network.

Favorite Bible passage: The passage that speaks to me is Psalm 139:13-16. It is humbling and awesome to know that the Creator of the universe planned all the days of my life, even before I was born.

Favorite movie or TV show: I like watching American Idol and the TV series “24”

Favorite book or author: I enjoy reading Christian novels by various authors, especially Lori Wick

Hobbies: Reading, camping, traveling, walking and bike riding.

Dream vacation spot: I would like to vacation in Hawaii some day

Something you may not know about me: I enjoy fishing! I actually caught two fish that would have qualified for a Master Angler Award; a small mouth bass that measured 21” and a black crappie that measured 15”. Unfortunately, we threw them back before we realized what a great catch I really had!

Snapshot of job responsibilities:

My responsibilities at DRS include:

Answering the phones
Greeting visitors at the front reception desk and providing information
E-mail churches when members volunteer with DRS
Updating DRS information in Quickbase, keeping email lists and other information updated, etc.

Programs in Depth - Needs Assessment

The Needs Assessment Program continues to grow and is becoming a well known service in the disaster world.

Since January 1, 2008, DRS has sent out 8 Needs Assessment teams. Teams have been sent to: Belle Glade, FL (2004 Hurricanes & Hurricane Wilma, October 2005), Hancock & Putnam Counties, OH (Flooding, Summer 2007), San Diego County, CA (Fires, October 2007), Fernley, NV (Flooding, January 2008), Vernonia, OR (Flooding, December 2007), Lewis County, WA (Flooding, December 2007), Jackson, TN (Tornadoes, February 2008), and Sumner & Macon Counties, TN (Tornadoes, February 2008).

There is one more Needs Assessment scheduled to go out in April. That team will be going to Clatsop County, OR due to flooding in December 2007.

Needs Assessment

The Needs Assessment program provides a snapshot of the needs in a community struck by disaster. Working with the community’s Long Term Recovery Organization (LTRO), volunteers go out in a disaster affected area and will go door-to-door asking the homeowner if there are needs in recovering from the disaster. DRS Volunteers complete a survey to record the needs and this survey is then entered into a computer program. The LTRO has that information to aid the recovery efforts in their community. At times a community is too widespread and Walk-In Centers are arranged and manned by DRS Volunteers. Victims of the disaster can then go to the Walk-In Center and complete the survey there. The victims have the opportunity to tell the Volunteers their experiences during and after the disaster and what needs they have.

Needs Assessment Volunteers are a wonderful group of people that show God’s love and compassion to those affected by disasters.

Comments from the volunteers:

“This community had done a great job of helping themselves before we even came there. It was interesting to see how they helped each other and grew closer together as a community because of the flood. It was not unusual for a neighbor to ask us to help their neighbor across the street, even while they were sitting in a mess themselves. It was wonderful to see this spirit of helping each other. It was living out the Christian commitment of love one another.”

“I experienced much empathy listening to everyone’s emotional stories. I was reminded that God and only God is the One in control.”

“I had the opportunity to tell one woman about Jesus.”

“We had several experiences where people poured out their hearts to us. We gave a listening ear which was sorely needed. It feels so good to be able to help so many distressed people!”

“Clients commented that they appreciated having someone to listen to their problems. This helped them on their way to recovery and to deal with their problems. It was a rich spiritual experience being the hands and feet of Jesus in sharing and reaching out.”

“We are so blessed,” was the response when we called upon an elderly couple who survived the tornado. As she saw the tornado coming she ran to get her 98 year old husband out of his electric life recliner chair. The power went out. She could not get him up and move him to the inner hallway so she put pillows over his body and protected his head with her body, holding him in her arms. As the wind ripped into their home a large branch came through the roof, rafters and ceiling of the room they were in, landing just a few feet away from them. It was a close call with injury and death. Their home had damage but was not destroyed entirely like the home across the street.

“We stopped at one FEMA trailer, and were told that we were the only people that had offered any hope to get out of the FEMA trailer in the last two years.”

Needs Assessment Brochure.