ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL) – A group of 80 volunteers traveled from Ohio to help rebuild several homes in our area that were destroyed by Hurricane Helene.

The group is part of the congregation at Mount Carmel Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. They do rebuild missions every year and partnered with the International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES) for this project. IDES has been part of the recovery effort since the storm hit.

“In the beginning, there was there’s just a lot of unrest,” IDES disaster response coordinator Paul Hurst said. “The needs didn’t come forward immediately. Those just sporadically came in. A lot of people were, you know, just didn’t want to have to ask for help. We started getting cold weather and saw a lot more people come forward at that point. We knew there was definitely a need for the rebuild.”

Hurst said they’ve had groups from all over the country come help and that it’s all about bringing hope to the community.

“I go back to the work that we’re doing here is just absolutely phenomenal,” Hurst said. “The different organizations. I can’t say enough about it. The unity, the appreciation, the people here, it’s like one big family helping another big family. And in turn, they’re all one family. And just doing it in the name of the Lord and trying to share the love and give help and hope.”

Jason Carmack is one of the volunteers. He said the church has been doing trips like this for the last 15 years.

“We’re only here for a week, but we really try to make as much of an impact as we can,” Carmack said.

And that they felt called to our area when they saw the destruction Helene left.

“It’s just heartbreaking, you know, when we see what has happened to so many of these residents and the lives that have been lost,” Carmack said. “It was just pulling at our heartstrings, you know, to come down. We’d love to come down sooner if we could.”

Carmack told News Channel 11 that he hopes people can see that it doesn’t take much to give back.

“So just help a little if that’s all you got,” Carmack said. “Because everything makes a difference in these people’s lives, like I say, that have been completely ripped apart. They need hope, they need prayer, they need encouragement, and they need to know that they’re not alone.”

The group has been working all week and Friday was their last day on the project before heading home, but they have one last message for those who have been impacted.

“You have not been forgotten, and we’re here for you in any way that we can,” Carmack said.