Thanks to the efforts of long-time client Mark Romano, five of the Ideba team were able to join in Hurricane Ian clean-up efforts this past weekend, in Ft. Myers, FL. We were also fortunate to be joined by Stacy Lutz from Syntellis, who showed up with her brother, and a whole bunch of tools.
Per our previous clean-up work after Hurricane Harvey in Beaumont, TX, we had no idea what to expect, and no idea what we were getting into — safe in the knowledge that there are so many needing help. Mark introduced to two first-time homeowners with very different needs:
The first were a young couple needing help removing drywall and other material from their kitchen, after their roof leaked, and mold had formed. The second were a couple living in a more rural setting on two acres of land, in the path of the hurricane. There was a lot of work involved clearing fallen trees, branches, and brush — to restore the property to its previous state — a feat that had taken the homeowner a year to accomplish previously on his own.
In celebration of the weekend, we’ve pulled together our personal highlights, which were common among all of us:
1. Neighbors (of Mark) coming out to help, while we were cleaning up front yards in Cape Coral
2. Sharing life stories, hobbies and interests during meal breaks with those you’re helping
3. Hearing how the work we’d done in three days had saved a homeowner a year’s worth of work
4. Bringing refreshments to FEMA workers on the front-line, cleaning up
5. First-time volunteering for three newer members of the Ideba team, who created their own assembly line for moving heavier items
6. Working side by side with clients for the better good — which can only enhance existing positive working relationships
If you’re interested in volunteering with us in the future, we’d love to have you join us!
David, Lee, Mylene, Christina, and Kristen – (The clean-up crew)
