Selma, AL – March 16-22, 2025

This week in Selma, we were joined by a group of 12 volunteers from a Groffdale Congregation in the Penn Yan area of New York, led by Kristine Zimmerman. The group comprised of 2 men and 10 women. The group leader, Kristine, and her husband Reuben, brought along their 8-month-old son. Many were experienced MDS volunteers and some skilled… and all eager to learn new skills.

The weather in Selma was spring-like with cool mornings and warm, mostly sunny days.

Volunteers completed drywall finishing and painting the first room at the Moore home. Next week’s volunteers will continue same in the next room after moving items. We also worked on the redesigned bathroom.

Over at the Reynolds new house, we completed the roof and wrapping the exterior wall. The inside framing is almost done, and the porch is underway.

At the Sabra Women’s Centre, the crews completed drywall finishing and painting. The bathroom still needs work and a back exit door to be installed.

Wednesday morning, our entire group headed to Bloch Park to assist members of the Gospel Tabernacle church to distribute food between 10am and noon. Approximately 200 vehicles drove by the line where volunteers would place food items in the back seat or the trunk.

For supper Thursday evening, we were joined by Natasha Moseley, Executive Director of the SABRA Women’s Shelter, and Anna, the Board Chair. MDS volunteers are working at the center repairing walls and renovating the bathroom to get the occupancy permit. They expressed deep gratitude for the work of MDS and much encouragement to the volunteers.

Friday, Becky Gochnauer dropped-in for supper and a meeting with members of the Selma Long Term Recovery Group, to discuss our on-going partnership and future opportunities.