Volunteers from the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) and Samaritan's Purse began construction of new homes in Crooked Creek for survivors of this spring’s ice jam flooding. Construction journeyman volunteers come from across the country and travel to Alaska to volunteer their time to the rebuilding effort. The Crooked Creek Traditional Council, volunteer agencies, State and Federal agencies, non-profits, native and private corporations and the other disaster recovery agencies have coordinated the design, ordering, transportation, temporary housing, and other supports, culminating in the home reconstruction.
“Samaritan’s Purse is coordinating this project with CRWRC. They are sending in eight volunteers a week and Samaritan’s Purse is sending in eight volunteers a week, for a full staff of sixteen people,” said Jim Trosper, Samaritan’s Purse Project Manager. “It is amazing. The volunteers come as individuals, but after the first day they are working together, it makes no difference if they are from Samaritan’s Purse or CRWRC. They are here to help, to pour their hearts out, and help the people get back into their homes.”
The State’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) established the Crooked Creek Disaster Housing Task Force (DHTF) on May 16th to coordinate resources and develop a comprehensive plan to rebuild or repair the damaged homes in Crooked Creek. The DHTF members include: Crooked Creek Traditional Council, Alaska Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (AKVOAD), Samaritan’s Purse, CRWRC, United Methodist Committee on Relief, Cold Climate Housing Research Center, Association of Village Council Presidents Housing Authority, The Kuskokwim Corporation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of Environmental Conservation, Calista Regional Corporation, DHS&EM, and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“Volunteer organizations like Samaritan’s Purse and CRWRC are a major part of the Crooked Creek rebuild. They are well organized, highly skilled, self-sustaining, and motivated to do as much good as possible within a very tight construction schedule,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Katkus, Commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Our goal is to have all of the individuals and families affected by the Crooked Creek flood in warm homes by October 15th. We can set these ambitious goals because we have such capable volunteer partners committed to this project.”
A time lapse video of volunteers at work is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DveLT2kd1rQ
Photos of the volunteers are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/64283049@N07/?saved=1
~ State of Alaska Office of Public Affairs Release