ELKVIEW, W.Va. — Volunteers with the Mountain Mission’s HOPE Project began distributing rebuilding materials Friday to residents with flood-damaged homes in Clendenin and Elkview.
More than 200 homeowners have signed up for items through the HOPE Project, which stands for Helping Our People along the Elk River. John Roberts, executive director of Mountain Mission, said they currently have the funds to help all 200, but would like to help more.
“We’d love to be able to do this for 500 homes,” he said. “So we’re off the original goal a little bit, but we’re not going to quit.”
On Friday, seven families were the first to receive drywall, insulation, sub-flooring and electrical materials free of charge. Roberts said the goal is to provide materials for about 20 families per week.
Some homeowners have the skill and expertise to handle their own repairs, others do not and will need further assistance. HOPE is trying to make that available along with the materials.
Although they’re not able to deliver items to every home, Roberts said, they have set up a a warehouse at the Clendenin First Baptist Church where people can go pick up whatever items they need.
Families needing materials are required to sign up first by going to mountainmission.com. Roberts said they’ll need to print out an application, bring it to the warehouse along with a building permit so crews can head out to inspect the home. He said residents will then be asked to remove the flooring that has been affected before crews arrive.
“We have moisture meters that we check the home to make sure that the current wood is dried properly. Then we make sure that there’s no mold in the home,” he said. “We can even help with lining someone up to do mold treatment for you.”
Roberts said they’re constantly in need of finances in order to keep the program running to help needy families. Volunteers are also needed to help operate the warehouse.
“Skilled labor is something we really need,” he said. “We need electricians, carpenters.”
Volunteers can sign up by calling 304-344-3407.
Thousands of dollars in donations have been collected over the last several weeks, something Roberts said is remarkable and inspiring.
“It shows me that there are still a lot of good people in this world today,” he said. “It shows me that there’s great amount of compassion for West Virginians to West Virginians.”