Objective: To eventually take a team (or teams) of 10-20 volunteers on a 7-10 day trip from Sterling, VA, to Asheville, NC, to assist local residents in clearing storm debris from Hurricane Helene, in demolishing unsafe structures, and in rebuilding their homes.

Composition of Team: Volunteers will consist of hardworking men, women and teens from Reston Bible Church, along with any interested neighbors, friends, or co-workers who want to help. Skill in the building trades will be helpful, but not required. The team will have at least one experienced carpenter to supervise the work and enhance its productivity. Connecting with relief agencies usually involves liability waivers and other restrictions that we prefer to avoid, so we will operate as an independent, self-directed team.

Lodging & Food: We will work to secure local lodging at no cost to team members through like-minded churches or other ministries in the impacted area. Food, at least the evening meals, may be provided by partner church’s congregants. Otherwise, food will be the responsibility of each team member. This will be resolved prior to traveling.

Building Materials: Following a major storm, building materials are difficult to obtain, inflated in price, and often unavailable at any price. We will assess the need for materials, and confirm the local availability and price before departing from Sterling. The cost of all materials will be covered by contributions made by supporting churches, affected homeowners, and other interested donors. Where needed, some specialized materials may be purchased in Sterling and transported to Asheville with the team.

Cost and Sources of Funding: Lodging needs (sleeping area and showers) will hopefully be met by local ministries—typically classrooms in a local church or school. Meals are often provided by local churches, but team members may need to cover their own breakfast and lunch expenses for the 7-10 day trip. RBC will be contributing some or all portions of trip expenses which will be determined at the time a trip and team are identified. Costs not covered would be the responsibility of team members.

Four Phases of Involvement

Phase 1: Mid-October 2024 and beyond

Individual involvement: This earliest phase will likely involve distributing basic supplies to impacted residents and clearing assorted debris while loving and encouraging local residents and other volunteers. Individual RBC volunteers are directed to contact Samaritan’s Purse (SP) through their website (samaritanspurse.org) for a time and location to serve. Travel down and back is at their own expense. Meals and basic lodging may be provided by SP, or by a cooperating local church near Asheville.

Info gathering – people to help: Solicit from RBC congregation information on any immediate family or close friends who have needs to fill in Western NC. They will fill out the online form linked below.

Reference of Need Form

Info gathering – partner churches: Solicit from RBC congregation information on churches in the effected area that might serve as staging areas for RBC teams. RBC teams would be requesting to sleep there and possibly have dinner there. RBC team provides own sleeping bags. They will fill out an online form linked below.

Potential Church Partner Form

People with needs will be vetted and prioritized. Churches will be contacted to determine fit.

Phase 2: November 2024 and beyond

Individual RBC volunteers can continue to work through SP, complying with their administrative policies for safety and participation. With sufficient interest, and connection with a church or churches in the Asheville area, RBC may send small teams of 10 – 20 to work and stage from a local church facility. RBC teams will be self-directed and led by a skilled worker. Teams would sleep and (shower if possible) at local church facility with evening meals possibly supplied by church volunteers. Other meals will likely be the responsibility of RBC volunteers.

RBC Priorities for Assistance:

  1. Elderly, infirmed, uninsured
  2. Law enforcement personnel
  3. Fire & rescue, EMT personnel

Work could involve demolition, tree and debris removal, or other preparation for reconstruction such as removing mud, drywall or other related things.

Phase 3: March 2025 and beyond

Begin the long period of reconstruction. During this phase, RBC self-directed teams would continue to be led by a skilled builder. Jobs would be selected based on priorities and teams’ ability to fulfill the need(s). The limitations during this phase usually involve adequate quantity and quality of materials, sufficient funds to purchase needed materials, secure storage of those materials, and the ability to transport and protect them at the worksite. This phase is essentially completed when the new home is “dried-in” with nearly all exterior work finished. Teams would sleep and shower at a cooperating local church facility, and evening meals may be supplied by church volunteers. Other meals will likely be the responsibility of RBC volunteers.

Phase 4: May 2025 and beyond

This phase would again involve self-directed RBC work teams, led by a skilled builder. Many folks start well, but for a list of reasons did not finish the job. We want to honor God by finishing well. The goal of this final phase is to ensure residents can move back into their homes. This could involve trimming out, running utilities, completing home reconstruction, and assisting residents in moving in. Hopefully, teams would sleep and shower at a cooperating local church facility, and evening meals may be supplied by church volunteers.

Some phases will likely occur concurrently but this will help in communication to clarify what RBC team is working in what phase. Please contact Bruce Campbell, Executive Pastor, with any questions.