Flood of help still needed

By Karla Goettel

When I founded Flood Them With Love last Christmas Day, little did I know what lay ahead.

It began with three families helping five flood families. In late May, I was joined by Wendee Deal, warehouse manager, and Susan Elliott-Bryan, accountant. These extraordinary volunteers, plus hundreds of generous donors, have allowed Flood Them With Love to grow. We now have more than 130 families and have raised more than $60,000, helping hundreds of flood survivors. On Sept. 13, we will hold a bed giveaway of 100 beds to 54 preselected families through Bills' Bros. Furniture and Restonic Mattress Co.

Horizons invited us to partner with them this summer, and it has been a marvelous match.

Flood Them With Love is an all-volunteer organization with 100 percent of donations going directly to flood survivors. We concentrate on home visits, identifying and meeting immediate needs and running our warehouse.

Horizons can stretch our offerings to families with their expertise in credit counseling and with vouchers through grants from the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.

We are extremely indebted to Bills' Bros and Ogden and Adams Lumber, where we have special funds set up with voucher systems for furniture and building materials. Many other businesses, individuals and organizations have contributed to our cause.

Now we face new challenges. Cedar Rapids, the flood is not over!

Some homeowners are still far from rebuilding. Winter looms as well as a November deadline to leave FEMA trailers. I fear we may have many homeless on the streets this winter.

Together, we can make a big difference. Now we need you to reach deeply into your hearts and pockets to help thousands in our community who are still suffering from the flood. I know you have unused items in good condition. We would love to have them.

If you have furniture, linens, kitchen items, etc., in new or very gently used condition, please e-mail us at wpdeal@aol.com

We also need strong individuals with trucks who will help with furniture pickups and deliveries to the warehouse.

Most of all, we need money. We are one of few organizations that gives cash to families for gas, food, medicine or emergencies. We also need to keep our warehouse well-stocked.

Tax-deductible donations may be made to Horizons (write Flood Them With Love in the memo line) and mailed to 819 Fifth St. SE.

Help us help our neighbors!

Karla Goettel of Cedar Rapids is a wife, mother, friend, singer, teacher and community advocate.