By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

 

United Way of Orange County partnered with iConnect Outreach, Nehemiah’s Vision, and Orange County Disaster Rebuild to coordinate volunteers from our community to work on Harvey damaged homes. 

The response for volunteers was amazing according to President and CEO of United Way Orange County Maureen McAllister.

Friday morning, 250 people filled the Orange County Expo Center as they gathered for breakfast and instructions before heading out to their assigned homes across the county.

“We have 24 businesses and 20 teams,” McAllister said. “Gopher’s David Jones tells me that is over 2,000 man hours.”

Jones later explained it was like a year’s worth of work from one person being accomplished in one day.

With so many residents still in recovery from Harvey, United Way wanted to help bring awareness to those still struggling to return home.

Michelle Tubberville of Orange County Rebuild found the response of volunteers encouraging.

“If you feel led to come back, we can help connect you with iConnect Outreach and Nehemiah’s Vision,” Tubberville said. “When a disaster hits recovery starts local and ends local.”

Three companies were also recognized for their sponsorships.

“International Paper sponsored our T-shirts. Chevron Phillips Chemical Company sponsored our lunch and Dow sponsored our breakfast,” McAllister said. “They each have several teams and their site managers are on a team.”

The groups worked on two types of homes: one which needed the finishing touches so the family could return or one which was in need of demolition so repairs could begin.