Click here for information on use of the Lend A Hand van.

Harrisburg Flood Response is still ongoing! See SCHEDULE for details.

Recovery Work Week.May 13–May 18. See SCHEDULE for details.

Summer Weekend Work Trips. June 15–17 and July 13 – 15. See SCHEDULE for details.

Lend A Hand was founded in 1989 following Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina, and has since achieved national respect and recognition.

Lend A Hand coordinates reliable transportation, labor, housing and meals for volunteers who want to help those who have lost homes or are suffering extraordinary hardship as the result of a disaster.

Often one of the most valuable things Lend A Hand volunteers can do is to listen. Victims of disaster need to tell their stories of loss, hardship and recovery to a sympathetic listener.

The new friends you make with other volunteers and with those you’re serving are just one of the many benefits of participating on a Lend A Hand work team.

Many (but not all) jobs require physical labor. Most volunteers eagerly jump in and take on any job which needs to be done, from demolition and rebuilding to general disaster clean-up.

BILL BAUER AWARDED 2012 VOLUNTEER CENTER FOUNDERS AWARD New!
Since Lend A Hand became a disaster recovery ministry of the Presbytery of Carlisle when central PA teams were sent to the Gulf Coast to help with recovery efforts there, Bill Bauer was busy doing the behind-the-scenes, detail-work, for the organization's efforts. He wrote written grants, made contacts all over the United States, located housing for volunteers, found transportation, equipment, team leaders and d one public relations. When the flood hit in the central PA area last fall, Bill went into high gear getting everything in order to meet the demand for help in our own backyard. He logged so much cell phone time, that he wore out his phone and had to get another one!

On April 26th, much to Bill's surprise, he was chosen to receive the Volunteer Center Founders Award for 2012. In his acceptance speech, he gave credit where it was due, to his wife Pam, who serves as his biggest supporter doing everything from shopping for disaster recovery equipment to getting Bill back and forth from the office and meetings. This couple has logged in many long hours of service to return our neighbors to their rehabbed homes. He shared the limelight with all the wonderful Lend A Hand volunteers, the Lend A Hand Board, and presbytery staff, who like himself, have put in countless hours of service and energy in helping to rebuild after the central PA floods. Bill spoke about the over 400 homes and the many volunteers, who have been involved in neighbor helping neighbor.

He ended thanking Highmark, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and the United Way for their efforts in making the award possible, as well as speaking of being humbled in receiving the award that night, because so many others in the room were just as deserving as he for the work that they did.

Congratulations Mr. Mission, and thank you everyone, because without your support, Lend A Hand would not exist.

SUMMER WEEKEND WORK TRIPS TO WYOMING, PA New!
With the Hurricane Irene and Lee work winding down in the Tri-County area, Lend A Hand has decided to help the people of Northeastern Pa recover from the flooding from those hurricanes. See SCHEDULE for details.

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA FLOOD RECOVERY New!
We have been very active in helping families recover from the recent flooding. Recently, Phase 1 of the recovery process was completed in December. Phase 1 involved removing water and debris from basements and living areas impacted from the flooding and then spraying the area with mold retardant. During this stage we “mucked out” around 260 homes and pumped out the basements of 47. Additionally we were able to enlist over 160 new “recruits” to the volunteer efforts of Lend A Hand. Lend A Hand volunteers are now involved in Phase 2 of this process – rebuilding. Rebuilding involves anything from hanging drywall to putting up trim to painting.

LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE STUDENTS LEND A HAND
A group of students from Lebanon Valley College is currently on a trip with Lend A Hand to Smithville, Mississippi to continue helping the residents with the recovery process. These students are giving up their spring break to volunteer just as the E-town students gave up part of their semester break in January. They are posting daily videos on their work on YouTube. Watch here.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are always needed to help with the recovery process. No previous skill is necessary. On-the-job training will take place Simply click on the schedule and you will find the day and location of that week’s activity. The workday runs from 8:30 to 4 or until a volunteer fatigues or the job is completed. If you cannot work a full day we will gladly take whatever time you can give us. BRING A BAG LUNCH TO EAT AT THE JOB SITE. Lend A Hand will supply water and provide tools. If you have any questions, please call 731-8888.

COLLEGE STUDENTS AND VOLUNTERRING
In January a group of 24 students from Elizabethtown College traveled by bus with several members of Lend A Hand to Mississippi. They spent a week working in the small town of Smithville, which was largely destroyed by a tornado in the spring. This was the fifth year that students from Elizabethtown have teamed with Lend A Hand.

OFFICE HOURS
Because Lend A Hand is entirely staffed by volunteers, a person is not often present at the office. Messages left on the answering system are usually returned within 24 hours. We also attempt to respond to all e-mails immediately. If applying to go on a trip, trip receipts and other materials will be mailed within 24 hours of receipt of applications and checks. The office is open from 9 to 4 daily, Monday thru Friday and things can be dropped off or picked up by talking to Suzi, the Presbytery’s Administrative Assistant.

VAN AVAILBLE FOR CONGREGATION USE
Lend A Hand has purchased a used, 15 passenger van. For our trips, the van will accommodate 8-9 passengers and their luggage and tools. When the van is not being used by Lend A Hand, it will be made available to any congregation's Session or Administrative Council-approved field trip or youth program at a recommended donation of $50 per day.

RESTORING HOMES AND RENEWING LIVES ARE AT THE CORE OF OUR EFFORTS. Moreover, such trips enrich our volunteers as they continue on their individual ‘spiritual/faith journeys’ of doing God’s work among those affected by disaster. Your financial support makes our efforts possible. You are invited to join with us on future trips. View our website for dates and trip details.

“I didn’t know if I’d be useful, but there’s a job for everyone.”
Leanne, 1st-time Lend A Hand volunteer

“There are people in trouble and I can help”
Robert, 8-time Lend A Hand volunteer

“The week I spent working as a Lend A Hand volunteer made a hugh difference in peoples’ lives… especially mine.”
Lisa, 3-time Lend A Hand volunteer