By Sue Ellen Ross - Post-Tribune Correspondent 

More than 400 energetic out-of-town volunteers chose to spend part of their summer vacations working on flood-recovery projects last week with Lakeshore Area Regional Recovery of Indiana.

LARRI was formed to assist in restoring homes and other properties damaged in the September 2008 floods.The volunteers were with Southern Baptist World Changers and LutheranHANDS.

"Both groups of primarily youth volunteers contacted LARRI last fall to make plans for their annual youth mission trip," LARRI communication coordinator Donna George said.

"They wanted to come to this region to assist with flood recovery efforts. With hundreds of willing volunteers available in one week, we were able to arrange opportunities for these groups, not only to assist some of the individual homeowners affected by the flood but also to impact entire communities."

LARRI director Jane Delligatti and construction liaison Tim Sheaffer conferred with local municipalities to discuss community projects for the volunteers.

Thirty-three projects in Northwest Indiana towns and cities benefited from the volunteers' weeklong visit, including residential rehabilitation and projects for Gary Neighborhood Services, Boys & Girls Clubs and various parks.

One area was Block Stadium in East Chicago, where volunteers painted railings and worked on other items needing attention.

"With today's economy, we don't have enough manpower to finish everything we would like to do," East Chicago Parks site supervisor Billy Rosas said.

"This is a beautiful thing, with the volunteers helping us. They're doing such a great job, it's overwhelming."Noelle Quanci of Haddonfield, N.J., served as the youth adviser for the LutheranHANDS group.

The group's 179 members called First Church of Christ in Lake Station their home during their stay.

"This weeklong experience has been special, not only for the students but also for the adult advisors," Quanci said. "Since I usually work with Habitat for Humanity, I didn't know much about many of this week's projects, such as rehabbing the parks. But we all learned, and saw how important this type of thing is for a community."

LutheranHANDS member Jordane Cleckner, 17, of Middletown, Pa., talked about meeting flood victims.

"I learned that every little thing we did, whether it was to just sweep their floor or sit and talk to them, made an impact," she said. "I feel blessed to have helped them."Pastor Chris Hubler of Alexandria led the group of 236 Southern Baptist World Changers."

This wasn't just a 'catch the bus and go' type of mission trip," he said.

"Each person had to pay $280. They got very creative as they raised their own money to achieve this."Said Allee Mohler, one of those volunteers: "This was a cool experience, and I learned about teamwork and patience. "

Even though we were packed together (in sleeping quarters at West Side Middle School in East Chicago), we had the great opportunity to become close friends and close co-workers.

"The need for volunteers still exists, LARRI's George said. "This week, with 400 volunteers, is a wonderful opportunity to focus on what can be done when communities get together for a common purpose," she said.

"But come this fall, most of these wonderful visiting teams of volunteers will return home, and we will be asking local volunteers to step up and help bring these projects to a close."

Link: http://www.post-trib.com/news/neighbors/2516690,06nrelief0721.article