On the morning of September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike made landfall at 2:10 a.m. CDT over the east end of Galveston Island. By 4:00 p.m. waves were crashing over Galveston’s 17-foot-high seawall. Winds of up to 110 mph pummeled the city.
Lost in the midst of an economic crisis and an exciting presidential race, Hurricane Ike was often overlooked in the news, despite being one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history. Damages to the U.S. coastline total over $24 billion , making Ike the third costliest hurricane in U.S. history behind Hurricane Katrina (2005) and Hurricane Andrew (1992).
Over 600,000 cubic yards of debris has been removed from the island since the storm. If all of it were piled on top of a football field, it would be a debris pile over 700 ft. high.
What We're Doing Episcopal Disaster Relief and Development, in partnership with Galveston County Restore and Rebuild, is assisting the poor, elderly and disabled homeowners of Galveston County to rebuild their homes.
We have worked on over 130 homes in Galveston and La Porte, Texas and our volunteers have put in over 45,000 hours of work. That's roughly $500,000 worth of free labor. We have already completely repaired a dozen homes from bare studs on up, and those families have moved home. We gutted more than 80 homes and facilitated partial rebuilds on several more.
More than 3000 volunteers have committed their precious time to help Galvestonians. Many stay at our housing base for up to a week, and some take a day trip to the island. Those who are unable to lend a hand also help us through much needed donations of tools, supplies, and money.
What Volunteers Need No special skills are required. Everyone has an ability to help those in need.
Team leaders will need to fill out a Volunteer Intake Form found at www.epicenter.org/volunteer in order to reserve a spot.
Limited housing is at William Temple Center for a suggested donation of $10 per person/per day, and there are other housing options on the island.
Teams need their own transportation.
Teams will need to provide their own food, but will have the use of a full kitchen if staying at the William Temple Center.
For more information, visit our website or contact Luke Blount, Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@epicenter.org or by phone at 713.252.9693.
What We Need Our efforts are dependent upon not only the priceless donation of time, but also of tools, vehicles, supplies, and gifts of money. All donations are tax deductible.
Contact Maggie Immler, Relief Coordinator, for donation inquiries at Maggie.Immler@gmail.com or by phone at 281.229.2467. Or click the link at the top of the page to donate.
Diocese Fixing Up Damaged Homes - ABC13
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Help! We need volunteers this Fall! 
