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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-09-21, Page 3Anal Star • Wednesday, September 21, 2011 od Samaritans wrap up weeks of relief work Samaritans' Purse disaster relief coordinator for Eastern Canada, Steven Joudry, was wrapping up three weeks of volunteer efforts last week as the last of the calls came in. ing hands have been pouring in across the country over the past eks, and while some are off -the - volunteers looking to pitch in, are those who see this asa Samaritans' Purse disaster relief group, which has been in Goderich since Thursday, August 25. Last Tuesday, volunteers were still arriving at their makeshift headquarters at Bethel Pentecostal, even as work was wrapping up. "There are not a whole lot of calls coming in now, Joudry said. "We're just finishing up any calls coming in." Tree removal, fence .repair, moving people out of unsafe homes - the list of Jobs was varied. However, Joudry noted, safety comes first and for any tree removal requiring certified operators, CLC Tree Service of London provided their services free. All in all, there have been many good Samaritans. "We've probably had upwards of 50 Joudry said. "Some have been out once, some several times." The Samaritans' Purse coordinator for Easter Canada, this is Joudry's fifth disaster site cleanup in 14 months. Most recently, he spent seven weeks in Que- bec after the Richelieu River flood. Mennonite relief Mayor Deb Shewfelt met with Glen and Esther Buckof the Mennonite Disaster Service at Bethel PSI Church Friday. Samaritan's Purse, who have been providing homeowners with assistance and labour withdrew from town Friday. The Mennonite service will provide free labour to homeowners to make repairs or rebuild and will use local volunteers to help. Residents would have to pay for the cost of materials if a donor was not found. The organization responds to disas- ters throughout Canada and the United States, with the Canadian headquarters in Calgary: Outside the church on Suncoast elp Us Rebuild Goderich turday, Sept. 24th - Saturday, Oct. 22nd We will donate $2.00 from each customer visit to the DERICH &AREA DISASTER RELIEF FUND roudly part of Goderich since 1998 Hwy #8 (Wal-Mart Plaza Goderich, Ont. 519.5241673 ri: 9am - 9pm • Sat: 9am - bpm Bowes Publishers Limited A Subsidiaof Sun Media Corporation A Ouebeoor Company The Goderich Signal -Star, published every Wednesday. 52 times per year. at Goderich. Ontario is one of The Signal -Star Publishing Group of Community Newspapers. The Goderich Signal -Star shah not be kabie for failure to publish an ad or forpographicaloao errors in publication except to the extern of the st of that portion of the ad in which. the error 000vmed. The Goderich Signal -Star reserves the right to refect or edit any advertisement. Subscription rate is $42.00 per year plus GST. The Goderich Signal -Star is a member of The Canadian Newspaper Association (CCNA), The Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA). and the Ontario Press Council. For any non deliveries or delivery concerns please call 519-524-2614. Return at undelivered copies, changes of address and subscription order to address below Publications Meir Agr* meat No. 40064683 PAP Registration No. 7602 • Rectum undeliverable Canaan addresses to Cirrx4ation Dept P.O. Box 220, 120 Hucklne St., Goderich, Ont., N7A 486 (519) 524-2614 emak: sspdreirgibowesnet.com We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program towards our mailing oasts. lacca Drive, the Samaritans' Purse trailer is a mobilized relief resource centre. Saws, generators, pumps, wood chippers and other tools and equipment are all part of the arsenal. As of last week, the group was wrapping up relief work in Benxnilier. While initial cleanup is a busy time, keeping people occu- pied, eventually, emotional exhaustion takes place, and Joudry noted from experience that it is often as bad or worse than physical. The organization also deploys chaplains to handle that emotional aspect, giving relief to the mind and heart as well as to physical structures and property. Having been to so many disaster areas, Joudry said Goderich should be commended on its rapid response to the tornado. He also noted many of the volunteers were called from the 211 :list compiled at the Columbus Centre.