Ten families ‘Home for Thanksgiving’
The outlook was bleak for families in Rainelle, White Sulphur Springs, and other communities in West Virginia after the devastating flooding in June 2016. Or, it was bleak until organizations like Appalachia Service Project and Homes for White Sulphur Springs stepped in to aid in long-term recovery.
On Tuesday, November 22, both Appalachia Service Project and Homes for White Sulphur Springs will be giving keys to brand new homes to several families that were devastated by the June flood. Appalachia Service Project will hold their key ceremony and home dedication at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Village (188 Chestnut Street) in Rainelle. Homes for White Sulphur Springs will conduct their key ceremony and home dedication at 2:30 p.m. at Hope Village on Big Draft Road in White Sulphur Springs.
Brandy Lambert is receiving one of the new homes from Appalachia Service Project. Brandy, whose home was completely destroyed by flooding, will be receiving a new, two-bedroom home to share with her 8-year-old niece, Alivia. Brandy works at the Rite Aid in Rainelle, only walking distance from her new home. “I love to walk by my new house at night to take pictures and see the progress!” Brandy said.
Also receiving keys to their new home will be David and Sherry Clark. The couple, their four children and two grandchildren were all living under the same roof prior to the flood. Immediately after the flood they lived in tents in their yard until they were provided with FEMA trailers. ASP has built the first of two new homes for the family.
According to ASP President/CEO Walter Crouch, “We want to return families to their homes as quickly as possible. The generosity of our donors and volunteers has meant that six families will be in new homes by Thanksgiving. What an incredible Thanksgiving blessing.”
Many gracious partners are making Rebuilding Rainelle possible. West Virginian partners include the United Way of Greenbrier Valley, Homes for West Virginia, Window World of Beckley, Potomac Highlands Fuller Center, Cales Family Foundation, Neighbors Loving Neighbors, and Bernard McDonough Foundation. Other regional and national partners include Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises (of which ASP is a member), Solid Rock Carpenters, FHLBank Pittsburgh, and the Two High Bridgefest Benefit.
Partners from Johnson City, Tennessee, where Appalachia Service Project is headquartered include Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, Mullican Flooring, Grace Meadows Church, and BedInABox.com. Hundreds of other individuals and groups, including First United Methodist Church of Cary (NC) and Congressman Phil Roe, have also supported these efforts.
Families impacted by the flooding in Rainelle can apply to ASP for consideration of repairs and new home construction. Visit www.ASPhome.org/apply and click the “apply for home repair online” button (fastest method), or pick up an application at the Rainelle Town Hall or Red Star Lumber. Filling out an application does not guarantee selection and there are additional applicant requirements.
Rebuilding Rainelle is just one part of ASP’s larger outreach to families in need across Central Appalachian Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Appalachia Service Project (ASP), is a Christian ministry, open to all people, that inspires hope and service through volunteer home repair in Central Appalachia. Our vision is that substandard housing will be eradicated and everyone who comes into contact with this ministry will be transformed.
Since 1969, ASP volunteers have been making homes warmer, safer and drier for families in need in Central Appalachia and providing life-transforming experiences for everyone involved. In recent years ASP has expanded its outreach to include building new homes for low-income families whose homes were destroyed by flooding and others whose homes are beyond repair.
Rebuilding Rainelle is the name of the long-term recovery effort being led by Appalachia Service Project (ASP). It is a collaborative partnership which brings together the strength and resources of the non-profit and for-profit sectors to work alongside of and in cooperation with local and state government to build new homes and perform major rehab on homes that are repairable. For more information, or to make a cash or in-kind gift to support these efforts, please visit www.ASPhome.org/donate or call David Kelley at (423) 607-1156.
Homes for White Sulphur Springs is assisting in the long-term disaster recovery of White Sulphur Springs with the development of a residential neighborhood called Hope Village. Working with the Greenbrier Valley Community Foundation, Main Street White Sulphur Springs, and other community partners, they will complete street improvements, utilities, and infrastructure and build 42 new homes for flood victims. New homes will be conventional construction and will range in size from 900 to 1200 square feet. They will offer 2 or 3 bedrooms with 2 full baths. A full land development and subdivision plan is being prepared by E.L. Robinson Engineering.