One wall at a time: Volunteers help Denare Beach families rebuild after devastating wildfire

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Behind the walls being rebuilt today are memories of what was lost when the wildfire tore through his community.

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“It was devastating to know that my home was gone, and not only my home but many others — my friends, and a lot of the community members — that was gutting,” he said.

Since Harrison was volunteering as a firefighter during the wildfire in Denare Beach, he saw the destruction before many other people in the community did.

“What I wasn’t prepared for is when people came back and I saw them breaking down because they were going through the emotions that I had already processed. That was tough to see the community members hurting.”

While the loss was overwhelming, Harrison said it’s heartwarming seeing the community strength through the recovery.

Hundreds of volunteers answer the call to help

Part of the recovery in Denare Beach is being made possible by hundreds of volunteers with the Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), who are giving their time and labour to help rebuild four homes, including Harrison’s.

MDS Executive Director Reynold Friesen said volunteers arrived at the beginning of May, with a goal of having all four homes completed by the end of August.

“The energy is high. They are long days, so maybe at the end of each day people are pretty bagged. But the optimism and energy that is kind of demonstrated through the volunteers is quite inspiring.”

The project includes two four-bedroom homes, one two-bedroom home, and one smaller home for a single person. Between 20 and 30 volunteers are working on the homes each week, with around 330 different people expected to take part throughout the summer.

Friesen said seeing the homeowners meet the volunteers makes the work even more meaningful.

“In the last couple of days, all the homeowners have been at their homes and met the volunteers, and that just warms the hearts of the volunteers even more.”

The Mennonite Disaster Service focuses on helping people who lost their homes in disasters, with either no insurance or very little insurance, to rebuild. The organization covers the labour and volunteer costs, while homeowners are responsible for building materials.

“That’s our gift to the homeowners. We provide all of the labour, all of the food and housing and everything for our volunteers to do the work,” added Friesen.

The people behind the rebuild

Tanya Warkentin travelled from Pincher Creek, Alberta with her 18-year-old son to spend a week helping build the homes. She says the long days are worth it, and the experience is giving back to her as well.

“You might think of it as a one-way giving, but Stephen (Harrison) is a prime example of this. Giving passes on to others.”

She said Harrison has shown the same kindness to the volunteers, bringing them Gatorades during breaks and taking the time to hear about their own hurdles in life.

“Everyone goes through hard things, and even though they’re different kinds of hard things you can relate to each other, so it brings out compassion in people.”

Warkentin said the kindness extends beyond the worksite with neighbours waving as they drive by, and even one woman bringing warm blueberry muffins for the volunteers.

“It really is heartwarming.”

Steven Harrison stands on the floors of his new house being built by volunteers in Denare Beach. (Image Credit: Submitted/Mennonite Disaster Service)

A new home, built on gratitude

For Harrison, the support from the volunteers has meant more than just a new home; it has shown him the kindness of people willing to step up for complete strangers.

“I’m very, very thankful. It’s hard to put into words or thank the people that are giving up days, hours, weeks of their lives to help a complete stranger to have a home again. I don’t even know how to repay anyone; the best that I can do is spend time with them and try to get to know them.”

Harrison spends one day each week working alongside the volunteers as they build his home.

“It’s a very unique opportunity. I don’t think many people get to see their home built from the ground up and be a part of it, and so I’m very thankful for that, and it’s exciting to see the process and be a part of it, and to have a home in the end.”

After everything Harrison has been through, he’s already picturing the moment his new house will truly feel like home.

“The one thing that I have planned that I’m really excited for is Thanksgiving supper and getting as many family and friends together again that I can.”