Flood Family Happy to be Home

By Nicole Agee, Anchor/Reporter

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By Nicole Agee

Story Created: Aug 30, 2009 at 11:21 AM CST

Story Updated: Aug 30, 2009 at 6:30 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids church is helping family after family move back into their flooded homes.

The Flood of 2008 disaster impacted forty families at First Lutheran Church. Shortly after, volunteers jumped in to help with the goal of getting their first family back into their home by the start of this school year. Not only did they reach that goal, but the family couldn't be any more grateful.

Three generations of Gruhn's are happy to be home. Dad Robert, daughter Kia, Grandpa Paul and Grandma Lillian were flooded out of their home on 8th Street Northwest. "We were staying in a FEMA trailer. I hated that place. I mean it was a nice place to go, but I wanted to move back in," says 15-year-old Kia Gruhn.

Her family appreciates the hard work of many. "Grandma and Grandpa, they really love it and dad's working night and day trying to get it all perfect."

"It's just so exciting to see them back in their homes. I wish this for every flood family," says Flood Relief Coordinator at First Lutheran, Craig Brown.

The congregation of First Lutheran Church came together to help the Gruhn's. Dozens of volunteers poured several hours of work into rebuilding their home. "A lot of Saturday mornings and during the week, we had other people from out of state come in, so just a lot of time and painting and everything," says volunteer Anne Jahnke.

That work led to Sunday's open house, where the Gruhn's opened their home to share their story of recovery and say thanks. "We couldn't have done it without them," says Gruhn.

First Lutheran volunteers will help a second family move back to their home in about three weeks. They've also begun work with a third family.

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