photo by: Derek Redd

The Rev. Mike Palmer, pastor at Triadelphia United Methodist Church, stands with the new memorial for the nine people killed in the flash floods of June 14.

TRIADELPHIA — Already a community hub following the deadly Ohio County flash floods of June 14, Triadelphia United Methodist Church and the volunteers who have worked there since the flood are looking at yet another avenue to help.

The church has been providing meals, cleaning supplies and other necessary items for more than a month. At 7 p.m. Saturday, they are inviting those whose homes have been damaged to bring a list of construction supplies they need to rebuild.

The Rev. Mike Palmer, pastor at Triadelphia United Methodist, said volunteers will estimate the costs of each list presented. When the final number is tallied, Palmer said the church will start a fundraising campaign and work the connections they’ve built since the flood to raise as much as they can to purchase the materials.

Palmer said the idea came as volunteers sat in the tents outside the church, discussing how else they could help.

“You’re seeing the price of lumber going up,” Palmer said. “We know a lot of these people can’t afford that. You’re paying 50-some dollars for a sheet of treated plywood and you need 20 sheets, that’s a lot of money.”

Anyone in Ohio County whose house has been damaged by the floods are invited to bring their lists.

Palmer knows the final total could be hefty, but he has seen so much generosity from the Ohio Valley community so far that he feels there are people and businesses out there who would help as much as they can to make sure those needs are met.

“Everybody has so graciously given,” he said. “I don’t think that’s going to stop.”

The church already has a fundraiser planned for Aug. 23 where every penny brought in will go directly to the construction fund. Volunteer and community organizer Amy Jo Hutchinson said it was imperative for the church and the volunteers working there to find any way they can to assist in rebuilding.

“We want to make as many people whole as we can,” she said.

As daunting as the task may look, Palmer said he has faith – both in the community and in God – that this event can make a difference.

“By the grace of God, we’re just keeping it in his hands,” he said. “He put it on our hearts to do it, so I truly believe in my heart that, when it’s time to make it happen, he’ll make it happen.”