DRS Current Activities
ReconstructionCedar Rapids, IA Kenner, LA (1/30/10 – 2/20/10) |
Lake Charles, LA (1/30/10 – 2/20/10)
Disaster: Hurricane Rita, Fall 2005
Project Managers: Doug & Pat Guikema
On-Site Managers: Clarence & Jane Damsma
Construction Supervisor: Rich & Phyl Grevenstuk
Team: Dale & Karen Neustel, Bill & Ruth Roon, Gerald & Marilyn Harms, Harry & Gerda Burgsma, Len & Marie Broersma, Herm & Barb Meyer, Doug & Judy Warners, Dave & Bethany Coull, Calvin & Ellie Scholma, Roger & Darlene Wigboldy, Jerry Meyer, Carol Smith
Galveston, TX (1/9/2010 – 2/6/2010)
Disaster: Hurricane Ike, Fall 2008
Project Managers: Rick & Bonnie Wiersma
On-Site Managers: Rick & Bonnie Wiersma
Construction Supervisors: Joel & Angie Ploegstra
Team: Doug & Mary Van Der Meulen, Cor Vander Vinne & Elizabeth Kroon, Bill & Karen Leenstra, Bill & Wendy Westerik, Terry & Arla Reimink, Ken & Alma Vander Veen, Dean & Grace Bos, Julian & Norma Baas, Al & Char Ledeboer, Dan & Gerda Wubben
Slidell, LA (1/16/2010 – 2/6/2010)
Disaster: Hurricane Katrina, August 2005
Project Managers: Tony & Jennie DeWeerd
On-Site Managers: Lew & Jean Arkema
Construction Supervisors: Bill & Corry Kuyvenhoven
Team: Hermina Rolffs, Gerald & Marian Wallenburg, Marlo & Carol DeYoung, Ren & Dorothy Schans, Charlie Kamper, Tom & Char Glass, Sid & Betty Kamps, Marc & Nancy Faasse, Wridzer & Bertha Feitsma
Needs Assessment
Douglas County, Atlanta, GA – Flooding, September 2009 (1/18/2010 – 2/3/2010)
Regional Managers: Fred & Mary Visser
Leaders: Ken & Pat DeKok
Team: Virgil & Esther Baker, Chad Kremer, Rich & Joy Anema, Bob & Rose Strabbing, Bob & Barb DeBoer, Gary & Carla Van Kalsbeek, Ken & Harriet Coeling
DeKalb County, GA – Flooding, September 2009 (1/30/10 – 2/13/10)
Regional Managers: Fred & Mary Visser
Leaders: Ben & Char Dykema
Team: Walter & Carol Ackerman, Bill & Helen Schenk, Phil & Joyce Carnock, Harry & Eloise Faber, George & Ellen Peereboom, John & Harriet Davies
Volunteer Opportunities
Listed below are volunteer opportunities. If you are able to volunteer please give Becky a call at 1-800-848-5818.
Kenner: 4/24 – 5/14
Slidell: 4/10 – 5/1
Work Groups
If you are wondering where you can volunteer for a week (or less, or more) at any time during the year, DRS has many opportunities for individuals, groups or families. Click here for the Volunteer Groups brochure.
Before Spring gets here, dozens of adult groups will serve through the DRS Volunteer Groups program. You may recall that Chicago-area churches (led by Orland Park Christian Reformed Church) have built an entire house each of the last three years. This year, they feel called to do more. They will be in the New Orleans area starting four new houses, with plans to bring two of them to completion. Other multi-week groups from the Toronto area and from Western Michigan will also work in the area to finish as many houses as possible this winter.
You also might recall that DRS has provided encouragement and support to the Cambodian Christian Reformed Church in Salt Lake City. Their building burned down, but they now have plans and permits to begin work in January. Skilled tradesmen of various kinds are needed over the course of the project. Be in touch with Art Opperwall if you have an interest in helping.
THINK SPRING [break] – Our promotion entitled “Give ‘em a Spring Break” has been a huge hit! Over forty groups are signed up for service opportunities during Spring Break week. Is your group signed up? DRS works with many partner organizations in disaster areas and God has always provided the openings available to place more groups. If your group is interested in serving through DRS for Spring Break, please get in contact with us. This is a wonderful way for youth groups, college groups and family groups to experience memorable and meaningful Spring Break. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook. Under the groups section, look up “Give ‘Em a Spring Break with CRWRC – DRS” and join the group!
Opportunities:
1. Northerly Locations – There are a number of northern location that are urgently looking for help
- Northwest Indiana – A 3 county area including Munster and Gary where severe flooding in September of 2008 left thousands of homes in need of both gutting and rebuilding. The area is about 2 ½ hours from Grand Rapids and less than one hour from Chicago. Free accommodations in volunteer housing, kitchen and showers available.
- Martinsville, IN – In need of rebuilding crews, in some cases to build new homes that were destroyed by floods. Accommodations provided an a means for meals and showers
- Cedar Rapids, IA – Cedar Rapids continues to rebuild from flood. As always with these projects we support, accommodations, meals and showers are available. Details vary by location.
2. Hurricane Katrina area (Mississippi/Louisiana): We are still working with partners in the Katrina area and they continue to ask for help from our volunteers. If you are thinking of serving in a warmer location this winter, spring, or summer, we would be happy to tell you about some options.
3. Hurricane Ike area (SE Texas): Hurricane Ike devastated Galveston and parts of Houston. We are partnering with some great organization there that are doing both clean up and rebuilding, and will be doing so for several years
4. Other areas- We are always researching and looking in to new opportunities all around the United States. Contact us to see how we can help you to find a place to serve in other areas of the United States that you might be interested in.
Please be in touch with us. You can contact either Art Opperwall or Torey Kittleson at 1 800 848 5818. We hope to hear from you, whether you have an interested in serving somewhere soon, or if you are thinking many months down the road.