you’re traveling with is a plus, and that helping someone in dire circumstances brings its own reward.
This year’s theme at St. Philip Lutheran Church, Fridley, Minn., is “Love Your Neighbor.” The St. Philip’s Disaster Relief team has been living that theme by logging more than 10,000 volunteer hours in five years to help those affected by disasters, including six trips to restore homes and lives dam- aged by Hurricane Katrina. Thelma and Myron Nash (shown in these photos) have been on most of the 33 trips and are known as “Mr. and Mrs. Volunteer.” Recently, SPDR made four trips to Hammond, Minn. (near Rochester), which was hit last fall by flooding, and went to Nashville, Tenn., April 30-May 7.
—Lutheran style
many give us monetary donations throughout the year. We also receive donations from our team members, fam- ily members and friends. They all ensure that the journey continues for us.” Before venturing to a destination, the group works through a parent organization in the area. “We mostly make connections through the local Lutheran Disaster Response or Google organizations that put volunteers to work and house them,” Johnson said. Added Anderson, “We let these organizations know
that most of us are retired and explain what we can do. We’re fairly well skilled in disaster relief—carpentry, putting in windows, doing insulation and siding—and we also learn a new skill each trip. We even have a retired electrician, Myron Nash. He and his wife, Thelma, are Mr. and Mrs. Volunteer.” Of their participation, Thelma Nash said, “Hurricane Katrina happened and SPDR was forming right when we retired, so it seemed like a sign for us to be involved. We’re both in good health and we had skills that were helpful.” The Nashes went on the initial trip to Ocean Springs,
returned six times and have been on most of the 33 trips. “Our group is diversified and works well together,” Myron Nash added. The couple insists that the work’s fulfillment out- weighs any challenges. They say getting to know people
From fears to tears After the May 2010 Nashville flood, SPDR contacted Kathy Thoreson, who works with Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran Services in Tennessee, to plan a visit in October 2010. Thoreson asked the group to repair a retreat center (which they did in just a few days) and help a family —Brown, the single mother of two boys. “I have such fond memories of them,” Thoreson said.
“Renee and Mike took off for six hours from the work site to help me buy tools and trailers. I had just gotten a $10,000 grant the week before and had to spend the money right away. Afterward, Renee and a couple of people labeled and organized the tools. I’ll never forget how much of themselves they gave.” After work at the camp, the team moved on to Brown’s
house.
“I was very nervous,” Brown said, “I mean, you work hard to get your house back, and you’re going to trust some strangers to take care of it?” But her fears were soon assuaged. “They were wonderful,” she added. “So well organized—they came in, knew what they were going to do and did it.”
Thelma Nash said, “When we drove up to Cathy’s house she was waiting for us. She said, ‘I’m so glad to see you, you’ve saved my life.’ She was so happy we were there.” By the week’s end, SPDR had Brown’s home nearly finished. “I had a few things to do, but they did the hard stuff,” she said. “I moved in three weeks after they were gone. They got me on my way.”
Brown spent each day in the house assisting the SPDR
team. “I felt they genuinely liked our family. My son, Nicky, touched everybody because he so appreciated our ‘Lutheran Home Makeover,’ ” she said. “I’m one of those who doesn’t like to accept help. That’s why it was hard for me to let them come in, but I was so grateful.” And after SPDR left, Brown’s pent-up tears began to
flow. To learn more, contact Johnson at
renee604@juno.com.
SPDR statistics at presstime:
• In five years, 113 people have gone on 33 trips. • 75 percent of participants are members of St. Philip. • Average age of team members: 61. • Miles logged: 35,400. • Hours worked: 10,140.
May 2011 29
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