Volunteers needed to help Alberta's most flood-ravaged families

Samaritan's Purse seeking trades people and others for Southern Alberta Restoration Project

CALGARY, Jan. 8, 2014 /CNW/ - Samaritan's Purse needs a wide range of volunteers —from skilled trades people to those capable of simply pounding nails or cleaning up worksites—to help families still struggling to make their homes livable after last June's catastrophic flooding in southern Alberta.

The Southern Alberta Restoration Project is the Christian relief and development organization's continuing response to the mid-2013 floods in Calgary, High River, and other communities. The project recognizes that many families are without enough insurance, financial resources, and/or technical help to rebuild.

Samaritan's Purse is harnessing years of international experience in disaster relief—including work currently under way in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan last November, and other work along the U.S. Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina in 2005—to recruit and mobilize volunteer teams to help as many families as possible in the next 18 to 24 months.

"The flood is long since out of the news, but there are still many people suffering," said Restoration Project Program Manager Dan Rossi. "Restoring a flood-damaged home takes a community of volunteers. We're asking Canadians to invest some of their time in the lives of these hurting families."

Saturday-only shifts are available for volunteers, but Samaritan's Purse primarily needs people who can serve for at least one week, Monday through Saturday. Those from outside Calgary will receive free accommodations, meals, and transportation between the accommodations and the worksite.

The work includes relocating heating and electrical systems, insulating basements and, in some cases, restoring homes from the ground up. Samaritan's Purse's primary focus is on helping the elderly, people with disabilities, single parents, the uninsured, and the under-insured.

To register as a Southern Alberta Restoration Project volunteer, or to learn more, please visit SamaritansPurse.ca/southern-alberta or call 403.775.0053.

Donations Needed
Samaritan's Purse is inviting individuals, churches, and organizations from across Western Canada to help this project succeed. Donations are needed to ensure as many qualified families as possible are assisted. To donate, please call 1.800.663.6500 or visit SamaritansPurse.ca/southern-alberta.

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 (cell) 403.990.0161