June 8, 2009

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- Within hours after the May torrential rains passed over the state, an organized band of trained volunteers marched into West Virginia. They brought shovels, chain saws, water, tarps, generators, and portable kitchens and shower units.

From dawn to dusk, every day, volunteers provided thousands of meals and gallons of water to those forced from their homes by the raging flood waters in the hard hit areas of Mingo, McDowell and Wyoming Counties. Today they're pulling up water-logged carpet, cleaning out drywall and paneling, moving appliances and furniture, and sanitizing damaged homes. And they offer comfort for those who have lost so much.

"Disaster relief is about neighbors-helping-neighbors," said Voluntary Agency Liaison Anthony Buller of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "America is our neighborhood, and we have some really good folks dedicated to helping others during tough times."

To date, approximately 200 volunteers have donated over 7,000 hours preparing meals and cleaning out over 100 flooded homes, and they're still working.

The key to this efficient volunteer action is organization and cooperation. That's where the West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WV VOAD), a FEMA partner, comes in.          WV VOAD brings together and coordinates the work of a variety of voluntary agencies and faith-based organizations that offer specialized disaster relief services.

"Our role is to streamline service delivery while eliminating the duplication of effort," said Cheryl Ingraham, WV VOAD state chair. "When the volunteers reach the disaster area, we immediately identify our goals, the type of jobs needed, and we get to work helping those in need."

Volunteers represent all ages and come from West Virginia and nearby states. Many are linked with faith-based organizations. FEMA also partners with AmeriCorps' National Civilian

Community Corps. These volunteers, ages 18-24, began arriving in mid-May. Four teams of about 10 young people work tirelessly to remove mud, damaged property and debris from flooded homes.

In addition to disaster response efforts, volunteers have collected clothing, furniture, appliances and other items needed to help survivors recover. The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and FEMA set up a central warehouse where donated goods are temporarily stored. Volunteer groups distribute these donated items to people in need. The warehouse is operated by Adventist Community Services.

In West Virginia, some of the voluntary agencies bringing help to disaster survivors are:

• Mountain View Adventist Community Services;
• American Baptist Men Disaster Relief;
• WV Chapter, American Red Cross;
• AmeriCorps, National Civilian Community Corps;
• Appalachian Outreach, Inc.;
• Catholic Charities;
• Church of the Brethren Emergency Response;
• Community Lutheran Partners, Inc.;
• WV Division, Salvation Army;
• Society of St. Vincent DePaul;
• Volunteer West Virginia;
• WV Conference, United Methodist Church;
• Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief;
• WV Council of Churches;
• Presbyterian Church, WV Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps, Inc.;
• WV 211;
• World Vision.

West Virginians who want to donate money, goods or volunteer time in the continuing recovery and rebuilding efforts can go to the WV VOAD web site, www.wvvoad.org.

FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

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