Waterloo, Iowa Deployment

July 22nd, 2010

Waterloo, IA had many homes damaged by water due to storms this past week. NECHAMA has deployed to the area to help clean up homes that were affected. Many people do not have the resources to help themselves and that is why we were asked to help. If you can go, Friday, July 23 or Sunday July 25th, please contact Amy ayctron@nechama.org or 763 286 6969. If we have enough people signed up by Friday at 5:00p.m. we will hope to carpool in our NECHAMA van. If we are unable to use the van, we will help with carpooling.
Please come ready to get dirty! Wear long pants, sturdy shoes, sun screen and bug spray. We have all the safety equipment and tools necessary.

July Training Cancelled

July 8th, 2010

Equipment Operation, Safety & Field Maintenance wil be resceduled at a later date. Sorry for the inconvience.

Heartfelt Thank you

July 1st, 2010

This past weekend NECHAMA cleaned up a neighborhood in Golden Valley that was hit very hard from a storm. We spent 2 full days and helped over 12 different homeowners; Below is a thank you from one of the homeowners who we helped who also is a NECHAMA board member.

Board members, Nechama staff –

This past weekend, my family and I found ourselves on the receiving end of Nechama’s kindness, compassion and old school grit. Its a strange feeling to be in the position of one of our clients, but it was a teaching moment. Now I know how much what we do matters on both sides of the equation.

From the smallest act of asking if someone needs a bottle of water to emptying out an entire basement (I also learned that you can’t argue with Todd and Gene if they want to empty your basement and how insanely great a manager Amy is), what Nechama does for you, as a client is nothing less than life saving.

Everyone that came to help was outstanding. They assisted older homeowners with tree removal that absolutely needed it, dozens of trees were down. We pumped out a basement and made the whole neighborhood feel better, safer – even for the people that didn’t need help. What I never realized till now is that us just being there helps.

Now, thanks to Nechama, I am the hero of the neighborhood. My neighbor Dolores across the street kept repeating what good work Nechama did and she insisted on making a donation.

We also got some recognition in the Jewish community, because my Jewish neighbors were very impressed.

Thank you all,

Bed, Breakfast and Benevolence

July 1st, 2010

Last week our team was in Clairon, IA helping flood victims restore their homes to liveable conditions. We restored 16 homes and spent 2 days helping the citizens of Clarion. Our team decided to stay at the Clarion Bed and Breakfast since all hotel rooms were taken by the victims. Much to our surprise the very generous and thoughtful family who owns the establishment, returned our check and donated our meals and rooms for the days we were there. They felt that we were there to help others and this was their way to help their town. Thank you to the Bakers at the Clarion Inn Bed and Breakfast,221 Central Ave E Clarion, Ia 50525
If you are in the area, please give them a call to make a reservation! 515.532.6832

Wadena Update

June 25th, 2010

At the beginning of this week, the city of Wadena asked all volunteer agencies and volunteers to step aside so that only approved chain saw operators could work on trees. The city has taken over it’s own recovery and all volunteers need to go through the city to volunteer. The City of Wadena doesn’t want other agencies involved, so NECHAMA pulled out after 2 successful days.
We know many of you still would like to help these victims and so NECHAMA is helping the city spread the word to our volunteers. If you would like to help, they are now accepting individual volunteers on Thursday, June 24th, Friday, June 25th and Saturday June 26th from 8:30-6:30. Any one interested is instructed to go to the volunteer center which is located at the Pamida on Highway 71 just north of Highway 10 in Wadena. The work is clean up of trees, debris and personal affects. Food and water is provided for all volunteers.

Wadena, MN Tornado Update

June 21st, 2010

The latest in Wadena is that NECHAMA had a great day on Sunday helping a couple of home owners to clean up their properties. It was a very successful day. Going forward, most of the work is cutting down trees, the city has restricted volunteers in and will only use approved chain saw operators through this week. NECHAMA will remain in the area only until Tuesday and will return home with our equipment. Seth Gardner will remain in the area to help the city organize a huge volunteer day for Saturday, June 26th. At which time, the city will need many volunteers to help clear away brush. As we get more information, we will pass it along.