More than a year after Irene nearly washed away entire neighborhoods in the Capital Region, families are still struggling.A group called the "Green Shirts" has made their way from Michigan to Schoharie County to rebuild homes.
On Thursday, the group held a “Last Nail Ceremony” at their first completed home on State Route 30A in Schoharie.
“I said how are we going to do this, how are we going to do this just us,” said Carol Piechnik as she told us about the dismal days following Irene.
Carol, her husband Jeff, and their two daughters lost their home to Irene.
Just over a year later, they've got it back thanks to the "Green Shirts."
“They come in with nothing more than the love in their heart that they want to help,” Carol said.
The group is from the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee based in Michigan, but the volunteers are from all across North America.
“This is the best part, when it's finished and we get to see it to completion,” said an excited Green Shirt Polly Stanley of Michigan. “Instead of house, it's a home again.”
To mark the end of the weeks-long project at the Piechnik home, they held a "Final Nail Ceremony,” giving Carol and Jeff a chance to say thank you to all the folks who had a hand in rebuilding their home.
“It’s good to see good in the world,” Jeff said.
“I look at this as I probably have 100 new friends who are closer to feeling like family than just friends because they have given us daily support to really get us through,” Carol said.
The Piechniks say after spending the holidays in a FEMA trailer, they've got one thing on their minds.
“We're going straight to Christmas, we're going to start decorating now,” Carol said laughing.
We're told Thursday was the first of many "Last Nail” ceremonies to be held in the community.
The “Green Shirts” are currently working on five other homes in the area and after the Piechniks, they’re taking on two more.
