Give thanks for state's flood recovery work

As we count our many blessings during this time of Thanksgiving, staff at the Iowa Recovery Center wants to extend thanks to Iowans and our federal, state and local partners who have worked together in the response and recovery from the 2008 tornado and floods.

Iowans have spent 18 months in an unsurpassed effort to help their neighbors. When disaster survivors had received the maximum assistance allowable from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state, volunteer agencies stepped up to the plate and offered help.

When survivors with special or unmet needs were without hope, volunteers were there to guide them through the paperwork. In some cases, survivors who had losses of their own jumped in and assisted others.

This disaster recovery has been and continues to be a model for volunteer response in other states. Ranked fifth in the nation for its residents' volunteer work, Iowa has made our job easier and life for survivors markedly better.

As you sit down to turkey today, remember and give thanks for all that you and your neighbors have accomplished.

And please remember that most volunteer agencies that have worked on this recovery are dependent, in large part, on the kindness and generosity of the public. Your donation, or willingness to volunteer, will allow them to continue to serve every community touched by the disaster.

It is an honor to be a part of Iowa's vigorous and remarkable recovery.

J. Kay Phillips

Director

Iowa Recovery

Center

Urbandale

Extending heal