Volunteers, including senator, turn out for cleanup
August 13, 2006
Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, manned a wheelbarrow as a day of work began at the house with dozens of volunteers. He carted off loads of dirt that volunteers shoveled from Flood's property.
Written by Erica Molina Johnson, El Paso Times
Almost two weeks after severe flooding damaged homes throughout the region, Judith Flood is still far from moving back into her West Side home. "There was three feet of water outside and I had eight inches of mud and 10 inches of water inside," Flood said.
She has removed many of the damaged items inside her home with the help of family, friends and volunteers, but the home remains unlivable.
"It was still raining when my family started coming in to help," she said.
Sunday, state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, manned a wheelbarrow as a day of work began at the house with dozens of volunteers. He carted off loads of dirt that volunteers shoveled from Flood's property.
"In El Paso, we care. People help people," he said. "So right now people are helping people from Canutillo to Mowad to San Saba to Socorro."
Capt. Randy Hartt of the Salvation Army arrived in El Paso from Flagstaff, Ariz., last week to help organize the cleanup.
He arrived at Flood's home with 15 shovels, 15 brooms and three wheelbarrows. Volunteers from the neighborhood and schools as far east as Americas High School put the tools to work.
"We're just here to help out somebody who is really in need," Americas volleyball player Lisa Marquez said. "(Flood) told us there was mud and water in every room and I felt so bad."
Westsider Marta Salazar said she wanted to help out residents who weren't as safe as her family when the storm struck.
"I feel we're part of the community and we should help each other out," she said. "My home wasn't damaged. I'm lucky and fortunate and I thank God."
Hartt said the Salvation Army plans to distribute necessities to storm victims at its warehouse today on Commerce. He said they must first register at the convention center.
"This is huge," Hartt said. "These recovery efforts will take some time."
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