Volunteers form backbone of Upper Midwest relief work Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New York, and Washington. A UMNS photo by Mary Edlund, The Leader. This home in East Grand Forks, Minn., was washed off its foundation when the Red River flooded in April. Only eight homes in the city were not damaged in the flood. A UMNS photo by Mary Edlund, The Leader.
Photographs are available upon request.
When volunteer worker Cecile Adams arrived in Grand Forks, N.D., in November, she noticed an enthusiasm that contrasted sharply with the bleak rows of empty houses condemned after the flood. As the Michigan woman rolled up her sleeves to begin working with members of Zion United Methodist Church, she found many people to be upbeat and optimistic. They definitely see an opportunity to rebuild their lives and their town and their congregations. Her group consisted of seven council directors from the North Central Jurisdiction. Cleone Hagmann and husband Harlyn have coordinated volunteer work assignments from an office in Minneapolis.