During the first week of February, 12 members of the Presbytery of North Central Iowa and 3 from the Presbytery of East Iowa (John Thedens, Rowley; Steve Thompson, Blairstown; and, Don Beatty, Atkins) traveled to western North Carolina and spent three days working on homes damaged in the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in late 2024.

It was a rewarding experience and provided home repair and a comforting presence to several families who felt lost and forgotten following this traumatic event. The group renewed old friendships and made new ones within our team, with the residents served, and with the disaster assistance coordinators through stories of great loss and remarkable perseverance.

The disaster assistance effort, coordinated by Angie Jewett, is a great shared experience for those serving and those being served, providing lasting memories and bonds for all.
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