Newtown Teens Return After Helping Colorado Flood Victims on Week-Long Mission Trip

Big Thompson River Canyon in Colorado received 25 special visitors last Sunday as a team of volunteers flew in from Newtown, CT to help rebuild the devastated area. The group returned Saturday after completing the second annual “Helping Is Healing” disaster relief mission trip. The trip helps families recover from the terrible floods that destroyed homes, neighborhoods, and communities during the floods September of 2013.

The mission trip is funded by Ben’s Lighthouse Foundation, a nonprofit based out of Trinity Episcopal Church. The organization was created after the tragedy of 12/14 in memory of Sandy Hook school shooting victim Benjamin Wheeler. Rick Haylon, Chairman of the Board, founded Ben’s Lighthouse on December 17, 2012. He told Colorado News 9, “”These people here, as you know in Colorado, were just hit with something catastrophic, at a moments’ notice, with no warning, much like we were. And lives were changed immediately.”

Also on the trip is The Rev. Kathie Adams-Shepherd, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church. She participates on mission trips, pilgrimages, and fellowship events and has been involved with Ben’s Lighthouse from the beginning.

Adult-led teams are repairing homes badly damaged by the floods of 2013. Team leader Jen Marlin said,” Rob and I have the privilege of working on the Hanson’s home. They have lived there since 1972 and survived the flood of 1976. Their whole first floor was damaged during the flood. We are working on sheet rocking the ceiling walls. I spent most of my day removing broken windowpanes from the garage.”

To watch the Colorado News 9 video, click here.

For more information about Ben’s Lighthouse, click here.

Photo credit: Sue Hendrickson Vogelman.