Disaster Relief Trucks Arrive from Colorado

By Mark Geary, Reporter

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By Mark Geary

Story Created: Jun 29, 2008 at 6:06 PM CST

Story Updated: Jun 29, 2008 at 6:06 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Two truckloads filled with thousands of pounds of supplies arrived in Cedar Rapids Sunday afternoon.

The Western Colorado Disaster Relief group collected all the materials. The Hillside Wesleyan Church plans to give everything away to flood victims later this week.

Church members lined up Sunday afternoon to help take a load off flood victims who've lost everything.

"It takes my breath away to see how many people care about each other in this community,” church member Teresa Davidson said.

A Colorado-based charity collected everything ranging from building supplies to food. Wesleyan church members look forward to giving everything away to those who need it most.

"They've lost household goods, necessities. I think everything's going to come in handy,” church member Brian White said.

Pastor Randy Richter said, "I'm amazed that much stuff could fit in a truck. Hopefully, we'll be able to distribute it all."

Seeing all these piles of clothes and food overwhelmed some of the volunteers.

"The bright side is ... I'm not the one heading it up. I'm just helping,” church member Amy Foster said.

People of all ages folded t-shirts and helped with heavy lifting.

The experience also helped volunteers understand how hard it will be for flood victims to move forward.

"We're handing out all these canned goods, but a lot of people lost their can opener. You don't even think about that,” Foster said.

Life probably won't get back to normal for a long time, but church groups like this are a key way to lift people out of this crisis.

The church will start giving away all the supplies on Thursday. They'll be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On Friday, they'll be there from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The church is located at 2600 First Avenue Northwest.

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