Miracle workers

Monday, January 23, 2006

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Kimbrell said her house may have been condemned if it wasn't for the volunteers.

For more than a year, 68-year-old Mary Kimbrell has lived with massive storm damage from 2004's hurricanes at her Winter Haven house.

"It was just a matter of time until they would have condemned it and we'd be put out in the streets," said Kimbrell.

But then help arrived in an unlikely fashion.

"The trucks started letting them out and I looked out there and saw all of them my age and older," said Kimbrell. "I thought, 'Oh boy.' "

Kimbrell is referring to 20 volunteers with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. The group, which is made up of volunteers from all over the U.S. and even a few from Canada, set up camp in Winter Haven this month for a six-month mission to rebuild homes and hope.

"We have all been blessed and this is our return," said volunteer Bernie Vankampen.

Making their effort even more unique, the average age of the workers is between 65-70, but that doesn't mean they're not as dedicated as younger workers.

"They never stop working," said Kimbrell. "They are constantly going."

In less than a week, the volunteers have already made major progress on Kimbrell's home.

What they lack in youth, the workers make up for in heart.

"A complete new roof and now we're giving it a facelift," said Vankampen.

The group will stay in Polk County for three weeks before being replaced by a new group of about 20 volunteers. They bring their own tools and pay for all their own living expenses while in town, though the local organization, Rebuild Polk After Disaster, is setting them up with homeowners to pay for all the necessary rebuilding supplies.

Kimbrell calls the group a miracle.

"The only way I can say thank you is when I say my prayers," said Kimbrell.

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee is a non-denominational group based in Michigan. Three other of its volunteers groups are currently working at long-term disaster sites in Pensacola, Belle Glade, and San Diego.