One family, three floods

Lou and Kelly's house outside Hazelton was badly damaged by the creek that overflowed in September 2004 and June 2006. Despite Lou's permanent physical disability, both times he led his family of five in making extensive repairs on the structure, only to have it flooded again in November 2006. This time the house could not be restored. If that wasn't bad enough, the two small FEMA camper trailers they had been living in took in over 3 feet of water, so they also lost all the clothing and household items they had replaced with FEMA money from the June flood.
Since the November event was not declared a federal disaster, no additional federal funds were available.

Even though they cannot salvage the house, this family still has a mortgage to pay off and therefore cannot afford to buy another property.

Kelly already works hard at a modest job in order to provide necessities. In your name Lutheran Disaster Response is working with Lou and Kelly to build a simple structure that will be elevated 8 feet, which will lift it out of the flood plain. Even though volunteers will do much of the labor and some many of the building supplies are being donated, considerable funds are still needed for equipment, materials, and basic furnishings.

Lutheran Disaster Response is working to gather congregations and other community resources to help get this family back into a house on their property, a place they can fill with love and laughter, a place where they can finally relax and feel at home. Total $21,100 Please pray for this work. If you have connections that can provide any of the listed materials for free or at a reduced cost, or if you sense God leading you to volunteer or donate to assist this family and others in our synod, please contact:
Linda Frey at or (610) 847-5775.