CORALVILLE - The floods damaged or destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. Businesses are not getting any financial help from FEMA. It is especially difficult for churches to rebuild. At Solid Rock Christian Church volunteers work on repairs. Many of them are from Kalona. Churches depend on these volunteers because they can't get any money from FEMA. And unlike businesses, churches are not in it for the money.

Pastor Brad Sherman fixes a ladder from inside the shell of his church building. Solid Rock had more than five feet of water. The pillars out front have the high mark stained on. Sherman said, "We never thought it would be as bad as '93 and it wasn't. It was worse, so."

In spite of the discouragement upon seeing his 27-year-old church flooded, Sherman has kept his sense of humor. He even says it is refreshing to be on the receiving end of humanitarian aid for once. He said, "It makes you realize how much your brothers and sisters in Christ care."

Of course the work would be a little easier with some financial aid. FEMA will not give any money to churches. Public Assistance Branch Director Chuck Chaffins said: "The reason the Public Assistance program doesn't cover churches is separation of church and state, an essential cornerstone of the American Constitution."

Sherman is not too concerned about FEMA not helping. He said, "Purely philosophically, I don't think it's the government's responsibility to take tax-payer money and give it to anybody."

But since tax dollars do go to some people, Sherman would like to see it go to everyone, churches included. In 2005, the Washington Post reported FEMA did give money to churches that opened their doors to provide shelter, food and supplies to hurricane survivors.

Email Steve Nicoles at Steve.Nicoles@kcrg.com