Rebuilding Homes and Friendships | Video

Sarahbeth Ackerman | 9/26/2012

Volunteers at hope village are not only re-building flood damaged homes in Minot. They`re having a big impact on the people who live there.

The sounds of hammers pounding are familiar for residents in Minot. Since the flood, volunteers from all over came together to help rebuild, but many didn`t realize they were getting back much more than they were putting in.

"I`ve become good friends with him and hearing his story and how the flood cam thru here, it`s been very heart throbbing," said Hope Village Site Supervisor Bob Risberg.

Risberg has spent the summer building a home that once was underwater, but he also found a friend.

"We`ve shared meals together and we`ve sat and shared stories of what their experiences been and just hearing how their trying to cope with it."

Not only did the volunteers come into their homes to help rebuild them, but they came into their lives as part of their families.

"In fact he`s celebrating his 82nd birthday today and we`re hoping to have it complete for his birthday. We were very close, we expect another week," said Risberg.

"That`s outstanding too ya know, they tried their best but there are certain things that are on back order," said homeowner Cliff Weebeman.

Although the home was not move in ready, they tried their best to celebrate his special day.

For one woman recovering from the flood, she was so inspired by the work the volunteers did for her home, she named her child after Hope Village.

"We`re so blessed by their volunteers and I know it takes an enormous effort to coordinate that. So I just, ya know, I want to give back in anyway I can. I know I`m not really doing anything but I`m just so thankful for their help and I hope it meant a l lot to them," said resident Melanie Hosteller.

The recovery workers rebuilt the communities homes, but they also built unbreakable relationships.

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