Port Charlotte, FL – Jan. 5-11, 2025

A new week, a new month, and a new year.  New long-term volunteers arrived in Port Charlotte to continue the restoration work for survivors of Hurricane Ian.  Some of the folks we worked for had also suffered losses as a result of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.  Our long-term volunteers included (among others), a husband/wife team working as project director and construction supervisor and a grandmother and her granddaughter serving as head cook and assistant cook.  What fun it’s been listening to their chatter and laughter as they prepare delicious and nutritious meals for us.  We also were joined by two Rosedale Bible College students who are here for six weeks taking part in a construction trades program.  They reported that their first week was rewarding and a good learning experience.

Our weekly volunteers consisted of a group of ten energetic young ladies from Ohio, a couple from San Francisco, and a young man from PA.  They each added a lot of “flavor” to the group and learned new skills, such as hanging and finishing drywall.

One evening Rollin Ulrich and his wife joined us for supper.  Rollin is the Region 2 board chair.  He shared many “God moments” as the first group here in fall evacuated Hurricane Milton and returned from Homestead.  We also had brief visits from David Kanagy, Region 1 vice chair and the incoming Region 1 Operations Coordinator.  Stanley Jantzi, Region 1 board chair and his wife also stopped by.  David and the Jantzi’s were passing through on their way to Puerto Rico to see the project there.

The volunteers did drywalling and insulation, painting and trim work, flooring, and plumbing and electrical work.  Kitchen cabinets and doors were installed.  At lunch time some of the groups enjoyed a variety of food provided by the homeowners.  Some had pork barbeque, pizza, and a formal Ukrainian meal.

On Saturday the long-term volunteers enjoyed a trip to Babcock Ranch for an EcoTour.  We traveled around in an open school bus and learned about and saw a large variety of birds, plants, and animals.  On the way we climbed a three-story observation tower at the FPL Eco-Discovery Center Solar Ranch where we saw acres and acres of solar collectors.  For lunch we visited the Gator Shack Restaurant, and several people enjoyed the gator bites!

Edith for the Port Charlotte crew,

Lisa and Marv, Mildred and Dennis, Renee and Terry, Ray, Jacob and Micah