'Service above ourselves.' Janesville volunteer helps with Florida Helene recovery

JANESVILLE — Janesville resident Matthew Peters returned from Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in Florida in the early hours of Sunday morning, Oct. 6.

Peters participated in volunteer recovery efforts led by nonprofit Sheep Dog Impact Assistance of Rogers, Arkansas. The organization works on a nationwide scale to support veterans as well as law enforcement, fire and rescue and EMS personnel.

He volunteered with the group for a week, leaving for Florida on Sept. 29.

“I saw a post come up and it was asking for volunteers, and I just signed up right away. Helping others is a service above ourselves,” he said.

Peters’ team aided Florida-based police, fire and EMS personnel whose personal homes had been damaged but who were involved in rescuing others and didn’t have the time to attend to that damage.

The team cleared trees and debris and covered roofs with tarps to keep the interior of damaged homes dry.

“They were out doing searches for people and ensuring everyone was okay,” Peters said. “They are easily putting in 20 hours a day. They invited us to help clear out their homes and spaces that they couldn’t pay attention to while they were putting in time to this other very important work.”

Sheep Dog Impact Assistance’ mission is helping people who need it most, and getting volunteers and goods to where they are needed most, according to Carmen Roche, the group’s Wisconsin team leader.

“Helping is our way of life and helping is healing,” Roche said, adding that “we have another group that just left for North Carolina and may have more going back to Florida now with this second hurricane on its way.”

“We are always looking for donations or more volunteers,” Roche continued.

More information about Sheep Dog Impact Assistance is at sheepdogia.org.