Volunteers from across the world Help with Detroit flood cleanup

When Bernadine Carroll travelled from Ireland to Canada for a biking trip, she didn’t have cleaning damaged Detroit basements on her itinerary.

However, the 31-year-old from Kildare, Ireland, saw a Facebook post from All Hands Volunteers stating that volunteers were needed to help victims of the Detroit flood and she quickly changed her plans. She was familiar with the group because her sister had volunteered with All Hands 10 years ago in Thailand, after the Tsunami. Carroll figured at some point she wanted to go to Detroit anyway, so she might as well help out. The first-time volunteer has continued to help for the last two months.

“It’s a great opportunity to learn a new thing,” Carroll said. “They don’t let you get away with saying ‘I don’t know how to do that.’ They teach you everything and you have to work hard.”

Carroll, an artist, said she’s enjoyed meeting new friends, including some other non-Americans.

Ken Skalitzky, project manager for All Hands Volunteers, said the organization has had volunteers from England, France, Jamaica, Ghana, Wales and Saudi Arabia.

“Those folks coming over to the United States are more aggressive about making friends. It gets Americans out of their comfort zone and gets them talking. It connects people from all over the world and it really enhances the volunteer experience.”

Carroll will be forced to leave the United States soon because of an expiring visa, but said she’s really enjoyed volunteering.

“It’s inspiring,” she said. “The homeowners are so appreciative and I’m just glad I could help them out.”

To learn more about All Hands Volunteers or to help with Detroit flood cleanup efforts visit hands.org.