Samaritan's Purse launches restoration effort for some of Alberta's most flood-ravaged families

Christian organization seeking donations, volunteers for Southern Alberta Restoration Project

CALGARY, Oct. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - Samaritan's Purse has launched a long-term project to help families still struggling to make their homes livable after last June's catastrophic flooding in southern Alberta.

When the floods forced 100,000 people from their homes, the Christian relief and development organization rushed to help. Generous donor support and nearly 5,000 volunteers from across Canada enabled Samaritan's Purse to assist almost 800 families prepare their homes for rebuild—all at no charge to the homeowners.

But many families are still without enough insurance, financial resources, and/or technical help to rebuild. And so Samaritan's Purse has launched its Southern Alberta Restoration Project. It will harness years of international experience in disaster relief, including after Hurricane Katrina along the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005, to recruit and mobilize volunteer teams to help as many as 70 families in the next 12 to 18 months.

The jobs Samaritan's Purse will tackle will include relocating heating and electrical systems, insulating basements, and major restoration of homes from the ground up in some cases. The Calgary-based organization will focus on helping the elderly, people with disabilities, and single parents, as well as the uninsured and the under-insured.

"We'll help vulnerable, flood-harmed families return to modest homes that we've made safe and comfortable," said Brent Davis, Samaritan's Purse Canada's Emergency and Disaster Response Manager.

Donations and Volunteers Needed
Samaritan's Purse is inviting individuals, churches, and organizations from across Canada to help this project succeed. Donations are needed, and so is a wide range of volunteers—from those capable of simply pounding nails, to journeymen trades people. Saturday-only shifts are available, but Samaritan's Purse primarily needs volunteers who can serve for at least one week. Meals are provided for all volunteers and those from outside Calgary will also receive free accommodations and transportation between the accommodations and worksites.

To donate, call 1.800.663.6500 or visit SamaritansPurse.ca/restore, where you can register to volunteer and learn more about the Southern Alberta Restoration Project. Volunteers can also register by calling our Volunteer Hotline at 1.403.775.0053.

About Samaritan's Purse Canada
Samaritan's Purse Canada is an international Christian relief and development organization that aids victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution. The Calgary-based charity also operates Operation Christmas Child, which sends gift-filled shoeboxes to hurting children worldwide. Visit SamaritansPurse.ca to learn more.

SOURCE: Samaritan's Purse Canada

News Media Inquiries
Frank King - Communications Manager - 1.800.663.6500 ext. 8720 or 403.990.0161