In a special ceremony celebrating the collaboration of many volunteers and donors, West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WV VOAD) and its member agencies will dedicate a new home Wednesday for flood survivors in Rainelle. The dedication will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 401 Kanawha Avenue in Rainelle.
The Greenbrier County home, built for a family displaced in the June 2016 flood, was built by volunteers with WV VOAD member agencies Appalachia Service Project (ASP) and World Renew. Through the coordination of WV VOAD, ASP volunteers constructed the footers, foundation and decking for the new home. World Renew then provided volunteer teams for five weeks in January and February to complete construction of the home.
In addition to committing to the five-week rebuild, World Renew made a significant contribution to the funding package. Other donations came from The Cales Foundation, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, Catholic Charities West Virginia and the Greater Greenbrier Long-Term Recovery Committee.
“The new home is for a young family that was in a very vulnerable situation,” said Cathy Rennard, Disaster Case Manager Supervisor for WV VOAD. “At this point in recovery, the priority is helping people who would have difficulty recovering on their own.”
Case managers with the Disaster Case Management Program, administered by WV VOAD, have been assisting flood survivors in counties affected by the 2016 flooding. Home rebuilds and repairs are ongoing in multiple counties.
Member agencies of WV VOAD involved in funding and construction of this home will participate in Wednesday’s dedication. During the dedication World Renew will hold their traditional “Last Nail” ceremony. A member of the volunteer team hammers a nail into an interior wall and a woven wreath is hung, representing God’s blessing on the home.
“We are so grateful for the hard work of WV VOAD’s member agencies who provided funding and labor to get this family back into safe and secure housing,” WV VOAD Executive Director Jenny Gannaway said. “The dedication of our voluntary organizations makes it possible for long-term recovery around the state to continue.”
