Serenity House Manager, Residents Sandbag On Sunset Drive
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Serenity House manager Hoss Smith and four residents of the men’s recovery home sandbagged four homes along Sunset Drive Monday that were affected by recent flooding. Sunset Drive was closed Monday due to flooding over the weekend. Jacob Walerko, Serenity House resident, said he was glad to assist with sandbagging efforts to prevent water from entering the homes. “It feels good to give back to the community for everything they have given to me,” Walerko said. Serenity House is a recovery and transitional home for men dealing with drugs and alcoholism. Hoss Smith, Serenity House manager, said Monday was the second time he and Serenity House residents sandbagged at the location this year. Serenity House residents previously sandbagged this past spring on Sunset Drive. “Most of the people we are helping out are elderly folks and are not able to protect their properties,” Smith said. “We feel it is important for Serenity House to volunteer so the residents don’t lose their belongings.” Smith said he hopes the Serenity House residents came away with a feeling of giving back to the community. “The community has given Serenity House support over the years, and we believe our residents should give back to the community what has been given to them,” Smith said. Warsaw Street Department employees delivered 15 skids of sandbags Monday that the Serenity House residents used to sandbag the homes. Jeanette Norman, 2345 Sunset Drive, said she was thankful to have the Serenity House residents assist her and her husband, Ronald, with sandbagging. Serenity House residents previously sandbagged this past spring when there was flooding to the exterior of Norman’s home. The Normans have lived in the home since 1971. Their home flooded three years ago when there was 6-1/2 inches of water in their home. Although there was no flooding inside their home from Friday and Saturday’s excessive rainfall, they had flooding on the north and south sides of their property. The road in front of their home was closed due to flooding in the street.
