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March 1, 2019 | Steven Smith, Rockport Pilot
Through the combined efforts of the Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group (CBDRG), Mennonite Disaster Services – Storm Aide (MDS), Rockport Fulton Chamber Foundation (RFCF), and Samaritan’s Purse; Maria Molina and her daughter Mary Suniga finally have a place to call home again after being given the keys to their brand new home Wednesday, Feb. 22 in Fulton.
Molina and Suniga stayed with Molina’s son in Aransas Pass during landfall of Hurricane Harvey. They returned to their home in Fulton the following day and although their house was still standing, it was severely damaged.
“We stayed in our house for two weeks without water or electricity before moving in with my brother in Ingleside,” said Suniga.
When Molina received a call from the CBDRG she was skeptical. She believed everything her case manager was telling her was too good to be true.
“We had already gone through so much,” said Molina. “The day I got the call, I immediately called my daughter after and shouted, ‘They’re going to build me a home!’ That’s when our attitudes changed.”
Molina and Suniga didn’t have to wait long after being contacted by the CBDRG. Their old home was demolished and a new home was built by the MDS over a span of about three months.
Family, friends, MDS representatives, RFCF representatives, and CBDRG representatives joined them as they cut the ribbon to their brand new home.
“Even through all the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, today reminds us of the blessings we’ve been able to discover as we all unite together to help each family recover and rebuild their homes and lives,” said CBDRG Executive Director Warren Phipps.
CBDRG, in partnership with several other non-profits, have completed 63 major home reconstruction projects thus far and are continuing to work on an additional 104 on-going projects. 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.