National Relief Network Volunteer Group

TS Fay Floor Repair

National Relief Network Volunteer Group

TS Fay Tavares Repair

                                          We are continuing the process of helping to rebuild and repair the homes of those directly affected by the most recent 2008 Tropical Storm Fay.  LASER has partnered with volunteers to assist with the recovery process - traveling from as far as Michigan and New York and as close as Sanford and Eustis - with a total of over 15,000 volunteer hours for the year 2009, including 5000 volunteer hours logged for the month of July, 2009 alone! 

Special thanks to all of our volunteers as well as to our local partners (Faith Lutheran, Bay Street Baptist, First Assembly of God, YMCA, & Alexander Springs) for providing logistical support!

We had a total of 72 cases from Tropical Storm Fay that were assessed with 3 case managers from November 2008 through March 2009.  We have closed 46 cases as of August 2009.   However, even after the many hours of help, there are still 14 cases that are in need of assistance.  12 of these are a “work in progress” – meaning we either have volunteers currently working on their homes or that we have been working on their homes and have volunteers scheduled to come back again to continue the process of repairing.  There are 2 cases that need new homes.  There is much work to be done on all the homes.   Many of the homes have had to have the roofs tarped so that we could stop the rain from continuing to filter in simply because there was just not enough money to replace or even repair the roofs in some instances.  Once tarped or repaired, we are removing mold and mildew and replacing drywall, painting, repairing floors, repairing ceilings, and replacing siding. 

Volunteer help and financial support are needed to help continue the rebuild and repair process for the survivors as some of the work left to be done must be done by contractors as it involves city codes and inspections due to the roofing and structure needs.  For information on how you can help, call 352-483-1029 or send your tax-deductible donation to LASER, 27 E Pinehurst Blvd., Suite B, Eustis, Florida, 32726.

Many thanks to Volunteer Florida Foundation for their donation to support the ongoing recovery efforts!