ARPIL 26, 2019 [BEEVILLE, TX] – Mike and Marlene Juranek received the keys to their new home yesterday, 20 months after the landfall of Hurricane Harvey. The celebration was made possible through the combined efforts of the Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group (CBDRG), BCFS Health and Human Services, and a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The Juraneks have lived in Beeville for 66 years and the past 30 years were spent living on their current property. They evacuated to a motel for three days when the storm came through the area. The hurricane damaged the roof of their home and rain came inside damaging most of the interior. Mike had been staying in their damaged RV while his wife stayed in another RV on the property.
CBDRG Project Manager Richard Webb shared, “There was nothing but bare walls when we started. It had been destroyed by fire at one point, so all that was left was cinderblock. We had to build it back up. This is the house Mike’s mother owned, he didn’t want to see it destroyed.” Mike Juranek, with a heart full of gratitude, expressed what a wonderful job everyone did.
The case was managed by BCFS who partnered with CBDRG, who funded and oversaw the major repair of the home. Both groups were in attendance for the ceremony. “I’m very happy we were able to accomplish the house for him. He’s been very thankful for all of us,” shared Edith, BCFS Case Manager.
CBDRG has funded major repairs to 127 homes in the Coastal Bend region. Additionally, CBDRG has completely rebuilt 20 homes and replaced 33 manufactured homes. Warren Phipps, executive director of CBDRG, says their mission is to stay focused on helping families repair, rebuild their homes devastated by Harvey, keeping the community together and build resiliency in the Coastal Bend.
All of this is possible thanks to the generous donors and hardworking volunteers. CBDRG continues to seek volunteers who range from skilled-laborers to general help. To learn more about the CBDRG and to fill open volunteer positions, visit www.coastalbenddrg.org/volunteer.