High River down (but not out)

Rob Bernshaw in High River

Rob Bernshaw, Columnist/Volunteer

There have been many stories regarding the June 20, 2013 flooding in High River, a small sleepy town a little south of Calgary Alberta. These range from pet rescues, firearm rescues, as well as thousands of people being rescued and evacuated. The people being rescued and evacuated (at one time independent individuals dependent on their own resources and individual choices) are now depending on the kindness and big hearts of friends, families and other loving, caring individuals from neighboring communities across Alberta and Canada.

Alberta Rose Doughnuts From Tim Hortons in support of Red Cross Flood victims. Taking a bite out of the massive financial support needed one doughnut and bite at a time.

There have also been some confirmed deaths attributed to one of the worst natural disasters to hit many communities in Alberta’s history. This massive flooding occurred with such speed and huge amounts of water, one not immediately in the path of such a deluge could only imagine or watch with horror as videos and graphic images were splashed across newspapers, televisions and almost instant social media postings of the day.

High River and peoples belongings on their front lawns waiting to be carted off to the dump Sat July 6 2013

These images only portrayed a small glimpse into what actually took place and rather than be an armchair quarterback I took it upon myself to take a motorcycle journey from Edmonton to High River to lend a hand in a small part of the recovery process and learn first hand the repercussions a such a major disaster.

Buses to give volunteers ride home after a long hard day of service Friday July 5, 2013

Starting off on a journey that would help me gain a better understanding of what actually happened in my home province of Alberta, I ventured off Friday July 5, 2013 into a future that I knew nothing of except what was portrayed in the mainstream media outlets. This journey took me into a human side of this disaster that has not been mentioned except maybe briefly in passing.

Flowers of hope blooming amidst the disaster

As stated at the start of this article there were some confirmed deaths. Before I proceed further I would like to express heartfelt condolences to the friends families and loved ones of the confirmed physical deaths as it is always sad when people lose their lives at any age of life along their journey to their future.

Berm behind houses that flood waters rushed over, not through

After making the decision to help out where I could in the recovery process I happened to read online an article in the Okotoks Wheel:

Religious organizations help community Flood 2013: Mormons, Hutterites and christian groups stepping up for evacuees
By: Jenica Foster
Posted: Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 05:23 pm
The recent Alberta flood has created a tremendous call for help and several groups are already providing what they can and others are preparing to help with the imminent recovery efforts.
~source www.westernwheel.com/article/20130703/WHE0801/307039989/-1/whe/religious-organizations-help-community

Gary Rob and Roy Saturday July 6, 2013

Of the many faith and service based groups mentioned in the article I was able to contact the Mormon Helping Hands group (of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints through one of these two numbers (587-998-8354 or 587-998-8356 ) mentioned in the article by Jenica Foster

Here is an excerpt from the Mormon Helping Hands website:

Mormon Helping Hands is a priesthood-directed Church program to provide community service and disaster relief to those in need. 
The program provides priesthood leaders with an optional service opportunity for Church members and helps establish the name and reputation of the Church. It is a proven means of helping dispel stereotypes often held about the Church, showing that Latter-day Saints are Christians who contribute to the good of their communities.
~source www.lds.org/topics/humanitarian-service/helping-hands?lang=eng

Alberta Premier Alison Redford providing support Friday July 5

The following statement is from myself and is for anyone interested in volunteering with the Helping Hands, whether members or not.  People are encouraged to get involved wherever possible (and with whatever disaster recovery group available) to help out our fellow human beings in their time of dire need, as willing hands are are always accepted wherever and whenever needed. Helping out is the ultimate sacrifice we can make for anyone less fortunate than ourselves. The blessings to others as well as ourselves is immeasurable and will be with us and the ones we help forever. Also changed forever is our perspective and view of the wonderful world we live in as our compassion, understanding and humanity is increased immensely and immeasurably.

After talking with the Mormon Helping Hands representative I informed them I would be coming down on my motorbike and would not  be able to bring any tools except my willing hands and able back to help out, I was informed that there were tools and equipment available to use where and when required.

Upon arriving late Friday afternoon July 5, 2013 at the Mormon Helping Hands volunteer staging area in Okotoks Alberta(one of the many setup up by different charitable organizations in communities close to the flooded ground zero community of High River) arrangements were made for me to help out Saturday July 6, 2013 in the High River recovery zone.

I then took a brief trip into High River itself and took a short tour of the area as well as stopping at the two volunteer staging areas that were setup up in High River itself to coordinate volunteers and provide the much needed support for residents:

Volunteer Registration Welcome area Rodeo Grounds High River Friday July 5

Sears providing food for everyone at the Rodeo Grounds in High River

Sears from Calgary South Centre also had a food, water and cold drinks area setup in support of flood relief efforts.

Salvation Army tent and vehicle from Lethbridge providing hope

The Salvation Army from Lethbridge had set up a booth and a tent at the Sheppard Family Park to supply food, water, cold drinks and to comfort and provide solace to people adversely affected by this horrific disaster that struck almost without warning and within a couple of hours had inundated most of the Town of High River.

Tide Canada Free Laundry area at Sheppard Park

Tide Canada was also at the Sheppard Family Park providing free laundry services for people that had no other way to wash their laundry in order to keep themselves warm and dry and give them Hope for the future.

The Helping Hands day started early in the morning at 7:30 a.m.  Approximately 300 hundred volunteers gathered at the staging area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints(300 Woodgate Rd Okotoks) for preparation and instruction regarding safety concerns and other due diligence items that pertain to a construction zone. As the flooded areas are work zones, necessary precautions needed to be in place to protect and prepare the volunteers for possible unseen dangers lurking in the murk and dark basements of the recovery site (as there is no power or services to many  homes in the disaster area).

After the brief instructional session we were divided into small groups and provided our work orders for service and after gathering the necessary equipment set out For High River to be of service to our fellow human beings. We were also given a yellow safety vest of Hope (which was ours to keep for future use) to signify which relief organization we were representing, plus a white throw-away coverall as well.

Volunteers Gary and Rob at lunch time

A lot of the people affected by this horrific flood are seniors that have contributed their lives to their community and to Canada, and my small token of appreciation of helping out seems minuscule in comparison to the loss that they have received. This devastation could almost be equated to a death in the family and as in any death there is a grieving process on the road to closure that everyone goes through in their own way and in their own time.

Carl, one of the many courageous individuals that I was blessed to help on Saturday July 6, 2013, was concerned that the vacuum truck donated by Arc Energy (one of many companies stepping up to the plate in donating time and equipment) would be sitting idle if he did not receive a couple of able bodies to help the vac truck operator (Roy) in vacuuming the silt, sludge, sewage and rocks deposited there, as the river poured into his home and filled his basement and part of the main floor. Carl is in his 80’s uses a cane and unable to help out or otherwise he would have been right in there like a dirty shirt (which we all ended up with at the end of the day). Carl has many wonderful stories to tell us when we took a short break from the arduous task of cleanup.

Carl’s life like thousands of others in High River was turned upside down in an instant of time and is now sitting on his front lawn like a garbage dump, a constant reminder of the great loss he suffered. With a smile on his face and like the flowers in front of his home blooming out of the destruction wreaked upon High River by the massive flood of 2013, shows the indomitable spirit that he along with many others have brought him to this turning point in his life. With the spirit of determination and fortitude Carl and many others like him along with the help of the thousands of volunteers available to support and encourage will survive to bloom another day.

Carl as with many other seniors after retiring from the workforce has a daily routine that they follow not unlike the daily routine that people in the workforce follow everyday. Because the routine has changed from a workday routine to a routine that is comfortable to follow fitting each individuals need and circumstance any disruption in the daily routine will for a time cause grave concern and anxiety. Without the help and support of others to get closure and provide a means to get some sort of routine back into their lives, individuals like Carl and others may take a longer time to recover from the massive loss and destruction that changed a routine world of peace and consistency to one of massive disorder and confusion.




Here is a testament from myself as to the massive blessings provided to the receiver as well as the giver of volunteer services in times of need for individuals especially courageous seniors that are in the process of rebuilding their lives. We can learn a lot from others and seniors provide the wisdom and knowledge to help the rest of us on our journey towards an unknown future. The gratitude, generosity and compassion for us volunteers shown by Carl(as were all the seniors I met while helping) was immeasurable and I am very happy that I chose to take the trip from Edmonton to help in the High River recovery efforts. A trip to offer a small part of my services to help those in a worse position them myself. When we lose ourselves in the service of others we will find that our individual world has opened up to a brighter world for all and our hearts will be much the bigger in the process. Our perception, understanding and compassion will change as we dig out the garbage from the basements of our souls and give of our time and love for our fellow neighbors in this world community we all call home.

I went to help out but I believe I was helped more in this process of helping others as my eyes were opened to what truly happened in our own backyards and to what true compassion and understanding means as I helped a fellow neighbor even though hundreds of kilometers away and came to know Carl as if he was my own next door neighbor. That is one of the many benefits obtained, to realize that I myself could be in the same position that Carl and many other seniors and individuals are currently in.

Without taking a walk in the same shoes how can one truly understand what took place and what truly needs to happen so that our society will be much the stronger in the process. What I saw and participated in the  town of High River Alberta on Saturday July 6, 2013 will forever change my view and perceptions of the world around me. It is not up to me to judge the why or the what for that people get affected, but it is totally up to me to step up to the plate and become a rescuer to help alleviate the suffering and pain that many have suffered and are still suffering through circumstances beyond their control.

 I would also like to thank the many volunteer groups, individuals and organizations as well as the federal, provincial and municipal governments that have stepped up to the plate to help out in this very tragic and one of the worst natural disasters to hit communities such as High River in the Alberta  summer of, 2013 affecting thousands of lives in the process.

There are so many people involved in the recovery process I apologize for not being able to mention all of you but thanks still go out to everyone that stepped up to the plate when called upon or even when not called upon to offer services and comfort where needed.

If one is not able to sacrifice valuable time in the flood relief  effort there are many that do not have insurance coverage and financial aide is always welcome if that is the way to help out that fits for you. Every little bit helps in going forward even a smile of encouragement and a shoulder to lean on are very important as well to people devastated from this disaster.

Related links:
http://alberta.ca/recoveryinformation.cfm
www.newswire.ca/en/story/1195937/ge-canada-donating-50-000-to-canadian-red-cross-to-support-alberta-flood-relief-efforts-matches-employee-donations

Salvation army
https://secure.salvationarmy.ca/registrant/donate.aspx?EventID=1619&LangPref=en-CA&Referrer=http%3a%2f%2fwww.salvationarmy.ca%2f

Red Cross
www.redcross.ca/who-we-are/red-cross-stories/2013/a-young-volunteer-helping-families-in-alberta


P.S.
When I got back to the staging area in Okotoks to change clothes and pick up my motorbike and gear, I reached into my motorcycle jacket pocket and found a nice note that was hard to see as it blended into the color of the jacket quite nicely. This small note speaks volumes as to not only did I travel many kilometers to help out but my spirit and soul also traveled a long journey of enlightenment in one day that many others have also traveled along the volunteer trail helping out in the High River flood disaster recovery. Here is the image of the very thoughtful note from the senior missionary couple that were part of the Mormon Helping Hands humanitarian  services providing valuable disaster recovery services to those in need.