Local couple volunteers in North Carolina

 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette 

Local pastoral couple Steven and Emily Goodenough assisted in the Guthrie Center donations warehouse last year following the May 21 tornado that tore through Greenfield. Other workers included Jacque Wetzel under the leadership of Iowa-Missouri Conference Seventh Day Adventist Disaster Relief coordinators Brian and Amanda Schwering.

This year, the Goodenoughs chose to take their talents on the road. Steven and Emily drove to Statesville, North Carolina, to volunteer during the month of March. That donations warehouse opened shortly after Hurricane Helene inflicted damage to five states including severe damage to Asheville, North Carolina, where the water system was hit.

On their second weekend in North Carolina, the couple visited a distribution site at Upward Seventh Day Adventist Church in Flat Rock. During a period of two hours on a Sunday, about 75 households were served by the volunteer group run from the church basement. Translators were present for Spanish-only speakers. Denise Barnwell, leader of the site, expressed excitement at seeing needs being met and logistical problems being solved in unexpected ways.

While the work was taxing, Emily reports satisfaction at being blessed physically and mentally while helping donations reach those in need. Steven said he was gratified to support the hurricane recovery effort and to meet people from all over the country.