Crisfield, MD – March 16-22, 2025

Sunday, March 16, 2025, about 4:00 we received a phone call from our next group, that the Bay Bridge was closed due to high wind.  The group of six from Keim Lumber in Charm, Ohio were stuck in traffic and trying to figure out the best way to get here.  They decided to go north and then travel the long way around Delaware to get here but 15 minutes later the bridge was open to traffic.  They arrived about 8:30 so we only went partially through the opening that night and finished the orientation in the morning.

During the night we had what was reported to be 5” of rain and the streets in Crisfield were flooded and so were our work sites.  We couldn’t do some of what we had planned but they did find some dry spots to work on platforms.  The rest of the week they worked on the 85’ ramp with 3 – 8’ platforms for the raised house on Myrtle Street.  They also worked on the front stairs but didn’t get it completed yet.  The plumbers came back and hooked up the house to water and sewage on Myrtle Street.  Some of the groups did some painting and trim work at the new house on Tyler Street.  We did a couple odd jobs that needed finished on a couple locations but the majority of our time was on Myrtle Street.  Our goal is to get both houses completed and hooked up by the end of next week.

We had a time with parts that were needed and had been ordered from Amazon that did not show up and Henry was frustrated because they said they had delivered them to our sight.  Eventually on Thursday they said they had delivered the last 2 packages on our porch but we still couldn’t find them.  After looking at their delivery site we went to the house way down the street that MDS had done several years ago and Suzie answered the door and saw my name tag and said ‘So you are Judy Bird.  I have your packages.’  And she had all three packages from the past 2 weeks.  She was so pleased that we made a connection and showed me her house and told me how thankful she is for MDS and the many volunteers.  She is so proud of her house and her porch and wants MDS to know how grateful she is.

Then came Friday, our plan was to finish a lot of the work in Myrtle Street but the 40 mph winds, 40* temperature that feels like 20* and the rain we had during the night put a quick halt to those plans. The group cleaned trucks and the facility after breakfast and we sent the group home at lunchtime.

It was definitely a challenging week as we worked with the elements and lost parts but God gave us a great week and we did accomplish a lot for these people. We made new friends and are anxious for another new week.

Respectfully submitted.

Judy Bird

Office Manager