ONGOING 2023 FLOOD RECOVERY
West Carleton Disaster Relief is once again partnering with Mennonite Disaster Services.
This time to help rebuild Steve & Jeanne's flood ravaged home in Constance Bay.
Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) and West Carleton Relief (WCDR) are partnering once again to help a family recover from the devastating flooding we have experienced in the past few years. And we are looking for your support for a family whose home we are starting to rebuild this winter.
Steve and Jeanne embody the spirit of community giving.
The 2023 floods were the linchpin in the damage to their home. Through the first two floods Steve and Jeanne thought there were others who needed help more than they did, so they dealt
with rotten walls and mold. When their foundation was compromised after the 2023 flood they finally reached out for help.
Through their struggles with health issues and a home that is deteriorating around them they are always thinking of others first.
Whether it is:
- Volunteering at the community centre to run the canteen for the kids on skate nights or cooking breakfast for over 100 search and rescue volunteers,
- Creating a much appreciated seniors meal program. Including finding donations, cooking and bringing meals to seniors throughout the covid lockdowns and beyond,
- cooking meals for people who could use some extra love during the holidays.
- supporting wildlife and our local wildlife rehab centre
- or just generally spreading goodwill around our community.
Steve and Jeanne are there for us the whole community and WCDR & MDS would love if you would join us to be there for them now and help to create a simple home for them to be safe and secure from future flooding.
MDS has been in our communities too many times to count over the past 7 years. From helping to sandbag to cleaning up after tornados, high winds and water damaged homes to helping rebuild two homes after the 2017 floods. Their dedication to our community and helping families recover from disaster is second to none in the disaster response and recovery community, there is really no other organization that Ontarians can count on like MDS. And we are blessed that they have continued to support us and are here to get Steve and Jeanne into a new home.
We have been trying to get Steve & Jeanne's project off the ground since summer of 2023 but the delays have been stressful.
First was funding; Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarian's (DRAO) funding was not approved till February of 2024 and then it has been excessively slow to come through; with the first phase of funding to allow us to start the design phase of the project not arriving till July 2024. Then, since July we have been working hard to get the permit for the house, which is a lengthy and difficult task, as well.
We are finally at the point where we can get started on the project. The site is being prepped by Extra Mile Carpentry & Contracting as we speak (between Christmas and New Years) and MDS is gearing up to start bringing their volunteers as soon as the foundation is ready.
MDS has set up a direct giving page for people to donate to Steve and Jeanne's project. All funds raised will go towards the rebuilding of Steve and Jeanne’s home with any remaining funds being donated back to MDS and their mission to help other families with recovering from future disasters.
Donations can be made directly through MDS: https://mds.org/donate-canada/
On the drop-down menu, select Constance Bay ON and your information for the tax receipt.
Some of the contractor who are completing the skilled trade part of the project are donating to our project. We would like to thank them for their support and dedication to the family.
Following MVCA & the City of Ottawa's regulations for building in a flood zone will allow Steve and Jeanne's house to stay dry and safe even if we see above 2019 flooding again. Many homes in Constance Bay have been flood proofed with these regulations making Constance Bay more resilient as a whole.
COOKS & HELPERS NEEDED
MDS is looking for local volunteers or businesses to help feed their volunteers. MDS volunteers come from all over Ontario and work hard in even the coldest days. We are looking for volunteers throughout their time here (starting Sunday Feb. 16th).
Generally their are 5-7 volunteers per week they work hard and fast and need to be kept well feed. We are looking for help with:
- Hot Breakfast - 7am service at the Constance Bay Community Centre
- Snack breaks (coffee and baked goods)
- Lunch is served on site at noon
- Dinner between 5-6pm at the Constance Bay Community Centre
You will have use of the Community Centre kitchen for meal prep and cooking.
If you are interested helping with a meal or snack or a week of meals please email chair@westcarletonrelief.ca for more details.