Group of volunteers help flood victims

SILVER CREEK, N.Y. (WIVB) - Silver Creek residents still recovering from the August storms got a helping hand Thursday.

A group of volunteers stepped up to help improve three homes.

It's a job no one would want. And some of these workers from AmeriCorps and Home Depot had no idea what they were walking into when they suited up in protective gear, to clear out a flood damaged home in Silvercreek.

"There's a lot of black mold. The drywall is falling apart," said AmeriCorps Senior Team Leader Sharon Morgante.

Morgante said, "It's kind of hitting them, they realize that this is someone's house, and they've been displaced."

It might surprise you to learn how great the need is in Silvercreek and Gowanda, two months after the August flood waters receded.

The priority here was to completely gut the home.

AmeriCorps team leader Brandon Barry said, "I remember walking by this home and saying what happened?"

At the home, crews installed a new carpet.

Flood water destroyed the basement classroom of 3-year-old Noah, a special needs student.

His father, a disabled vet, welcomed the help.

"I spent 28 years in the military and I was the one helping people," said Noah's father Thomas Hayes. "It's unreal how now someone is helping me."

This project in the southern tier marked the final installment of Home Depot's 2009 "Keep our neighbors good and green homes" campaign, which helped several dozen families improve their homes.

"It's an amazing feeling just to be able to give back to community. We're excited. This is our first Team Depot project in the southern tier so we're excited to give back to community," said Dunkirk Home Depot Manager Tammy Papke.

And here workers gave Phyllis Burgio Robinson new installation.

"I think it's fantastic. I don't know what we'd do without them," said Robinson.

Clearly, the support was appreciated by homeowners who were quick to remind me that there are still many other flood victims in need of help.

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