Volunteers build all kinds of bridges in western NC

Volunteers from Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) and Islamic Relief USA are working together in Hendersonville, North Carolina, to rebuild a private driveway bridge washed away in Hurricane Helene in September 2024.

Collaboration between the two groups has not only involved swinging a hammer but also sharing meals, and getting to understand one another.

“We’ve had very, very meaningful conversations together, exploring each other’s culture, practices, and theological perspectives,” said Phil Helmuth, who is coordinating the bridge-building efforts for MDS. “As we build the bridge, we have experienced the normal construction hiccups, but the collaboration between the groups has helped us move forward with a bridge that will be strong and resilient over the long term.”

The “Bridging Together” project in western North Carolina, born of a partnership between MDS and Lutheran Disaster Response, is involving many collaborating organizations. Altogether the collaborating groups will build hundreds of private driveway bridges washed away by Helene.

Susan Kim – MDS Writer