Spencer, IA (SYP) – Aug 9-15, 2026

This week in Spencer, we welcomed three new leadership volunteers who are transitioning into their roles: a Project Director from Ohio, a Construction Supervisor from Indiana, and an Office Manager from Minnesota. We also hosted nine weekly volunteers from New York, Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Two volunteers graciously served as our head and assistant cooks, while the remaining seven joined the construction crews to help advance homeowner projects.

The team had a productive week across several job sites, completing work that included installing, mudding, sanding, and painting sheetrock; installing trim, vanities, plumbing, insulation, and furring strips; framing new walls; leveling floors; laying carpet and thresholds; installing vinyl flooring; and pouring a cement apron to help keep water from entering a home. Their efforts led to the completion of one additional homeowner project, bringing the total number of completed jobs in Spencer to 23, with four jobs remaining open.

One of the week’s highlights was the good-natured humor that emerged when volunteers compared their group’s average age to that of the Summer Youth Program participants who served during the previous two weeks. While the youth groups averaged about 25 years old, this week’s volunteer team averaged about 81 years old. It was a reminder that disaster recovery is powered not by age, but by a willingness to serve. As volunteers joked, “Which volunteer groups are better: the ones averaging 25 years old or the one averaging 81 years old? Trick question. Spencer got the best of both.” Another favorite was, “Both groups did similar jobs, but only one group remembers when ‘wireless’ meant not tripping over the extension cord.” The laughter, stories, and camaraderie shared throughout the week were as encouraging as the progress made on the homes.

Looking ahead, volunteers plan to continue hanging sheetrock and begin building a fence around the new home recently constructed by the project. With only four projects remaining, the team is excited to keep the momentum going and continue serving homeowners and the Spencer community.