MDS Washington Unit: Local disaster relief volunteer opportunities in Washington

Looking for local volunteer opportunities in Western Washington? The MDS Washington Unit connects volunteers with disaster recovery projects across Skagit, Snohomish, and surrounding counties, helping homeowners recover from flood damage, debris removal, and storm-related repairs.

MDS local units connect people just like you with disaster relief volunteer work right in your own community. From helping an elderly neighbor clear flood debris from a basement to rebuilding a porch damaged by rising water, MDS Washington Unit volunteers are making a real difference close to home every single day.

What Is MDS?

MDS is a faith-based disaster relief organization rooted in the Anabaptist tradition, known for disaster response across North America following hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, and other disasters. But local MDS units also help neighbors recover from smaller disasters close to home.

All across the country, neighbors are facing tragedies that cause serious damage to their homes but do not have the funds or insurance to cover the cost of repairs. A flooded basement that leaves a family displaced for months. A debris-filled yard an elderly homeowner cannot clear alone. A porch wrecked by rising water with no help in sight. These situations may not make national headlines, but they are just as devastating for the families living through them.

That is where MDS local units come in. Rather than asking volunteers to travel across the country for a single repair, local units like the MDS Washington Unit gather volunteers right in their own communities to help neighbors rebuild. Many volunteers serve through churches, local congregations, and community groups.

The MDS Washington Unit is one of six units in MDS Region 4, a region spanning 1,283,934 square miles across Alaska, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, and Pacific Ocean protectorates including Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Micronesia, supported by 235 congregations.

With approximately 41 units active across the United States and Canada, there may be an MDS unit near you that is quietly doing that work every single day.

Current and Recent Volunteer Projects

Last updated: June 30, 2026

Washington Unit volunteers have been active across Skagit and Snohomish Counties following severe December flooding. Here is a look at current and recently completed projects:

Location	Project Type	Status
Sultan, WA	Basement muck-out, flood damage	Complete
Burlington area, WA	Muck-out, debris removal, flood damage	Complete
Hamilton, WA	Flood debris (downed logs) removal	Complete
Cape Horn, Skagit County, WA	Flood debris removal, porch rebuilds, minor repairs	In Progress

In Sultan, the Washington Unit completed a two-day muck-out at Sally’s home, removing flood-damaged furniture, flooring, wallboard, cabinets, and insulation from her basement. More than 90 days after the December flooding, Sally had received no follow-up assistance, her insurance had lapsed, and she was unsure how to move forward. By the time the project closed, she had a clear picture of the next steps toward making her basement livable again.

In the Burlington area, volunteers completed a muck-out at Mike’s home, removing wallboard and plaster from all exterior walls to 12 inches above the highest water level and clearing the wood flooring. Andy provided Mike with written instructions for treating the walls before re-covering and recommendations for the wood flooring going forward.

In the Cape Horn community of Skagit County, the Washington Unit has identified more than 20 cases to work, many involving elderly homeowners or families with limited means. Volunteers have already hauled more than 5,000 pounds of flood debris from the neighborhood and are coordinating with other volunteer groups to work through the remaining cases, which include debris removal, porch rebuilds, and other flood-related repairs.

Over the weekend of June 27-28, the Washington Unit joined a community-wide cleanup effort in Cape Horn, organized by United Way of Skagit County and bringing together 12 volunteer organizations and nearly 60 volunteers. Months after the December floods sent as much as five feet of water through the area, many homeowners were still facing piles of debris left behind on their properties.

On Saturday, the Washington Unit worked alongside volunteers from the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation at one heavily impacted property, loading more than a ton of flood debris into the Unit’s dump trailer. By Sunday afternoon, every assigned collection task was complete, and the team had hauled away nearly 6,000 pounds of trash and debris over the weekend. The greatest reward, though, came from the homeowners themselves — heartfelt thanks, visible relief, and a few tears from people grateful for the effort shown by all the volunteers.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of work does the MDS Washington Unit do? The Washington Unit helps homeowners across Western Washington recover from flooding and storm damage. Volunteers assist with debris removal, basement muck-outs, structural repairs, and rebuilding projects for families who cannot afford the cost of recovery on their own.

Do I need construction experience to volunteer with MDS in Western Washington? MDS welcomes volunteers of all skill levels, though prior construction experience is appreciated. Whether you can swing a hammer or simply want to help, there are volunteer opportunities for all skill levels on MDS projects.

Is there an MDS unit near me outside of Western Washington? With approximately 41 units active across the United States and Canada, there is a good chance an MDS unit is already at work near you. Visit mds.org to find your local unit.

Learn more about the MDS Washington Unit.