Sunday, June 29. 2003
Minnesotans Bring Comfort to Residents of Shell Lake
by Myer Leonard, M.D., DDS
Professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota
SHELL LAKE, WI – The waters of Shell Lake have been rising, rising to a level that causes anxiety, alarm and then flooding damage, with the threat of emotional and financial losses to lakeside dwellers. The unremitting rains have raised the water levels to heights unknown in living memory and have caused many of the shoreline property owners to ponder the wisdom of a lakeside residence. The full force of disaster was averted for several homeowners by the efforts of volunteer sandbaggers from Minnesota. About 35 members of Nechama - Jewish Response to Disaster, a Jewish organization based in Minneapolis, drove to Shell Lake Sunday, June 8. They filled about 3,000 sandbags and then worked in thigh-high water to build walls protecting several properties around the lake. “What would it cost to hire you?” asked a local watcher of their efforts. “You couldn’t afford us,” one of the Nechama workers jocosely replied. “We have three or four physicians, a retired professor, lawyers, insurance experts, tax and estate planners and a whole slew of highly trained and qualified people who travel to all parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin to give aid in cases of flooding, tornadoes and other disasters where the afflicted need lots of help.
Nechama (the word means 'comfort' in Hebrew) brings their own power hoses (gas and electric), chain saws, halogen lights, generators, ladders and all the other equipment needed to get to work and do the job. Nechama often leaves their gear for others to use after their volunteers have gone home. In the seven years the organization has been active, only one piece of equipment failed to be returned.
Earlier this year, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty named a Nechama board member, Gene Borochoff the Minnesota Volunteer of the Year. The good folk of Shell Lake can surely echo that award, and are glad for the comfort that was brought by their neighbors from Minnesota. Shell Lake Mayor, Larry Fletcher, was also there to thank the group.
Dr. Myer Leonard is a regular Nechama volunteer and has assisted in deployments to Shell Lake as well as Roseau, MN
Professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota
SHELL LAKE, WI – The waters of Shell Lake have been rising, rising to a level that causes anxiety, alarm and then flooding damage, with the threat of emotional and financial losses to lakeside dwellers. The unremitting rains have raised the water levels to heights unknown in living memory and have caused many of the shoreline property owners to ponder the wisdom of a lakeside residence. The full force of disaster was averted for several homeowners by the efforts of volunteer sandbaggers from Minnesota. About 35 members of Nechama - Jewish Response to Disaster, a Jewish organization based in Minneapolis, drove to Shell Lake Sunday, June 8. They filled about 3,000 sandbags and then worked in thigh-high water to build walls protecting several properties around the lake. “What would it cost to hire you?” asked a local watcher of their efforts. “You couldn’t afford us,” one of the Nechama workers jocosely replied. “We have three or four physicians, a retired professor, lawyers, insurance experts, tax and estate planners and a whole slew of highly trained and qualified people who travel to all parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin to give aid in cases of flooding, tornadoes and other disasters where the afflicted need lots of help.
Nechama (the word means 'comfort' in Hebrew) brings their own power hoses (gas and electric), chain saws, halogen lights, generators, ladders and all the other equipment needed to get to work and do the job. Nechama often leaves their gear for others to use after their volunteers have gone home. In the seven years the organization has been active, only one piece of equipment failed to be returned.
Earlier this year, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty named a Nechama board member, Gene Borochoff the Minnesota Volunteer of the Year. The good folk of Shell Lake can surely echo that award, and are glad for the comfort that was brought by their neighbors from Minnesota. Shell Lake Mayor, Larry Fletcher, was also there to thank the group.
Dr. Myer Leonard is a regular Nechama volunteer and has assisted in deployments to Shell Lake as well as Roseau, MN
