28 Sep
by Derrick Vander Waal
SIOUX CENTER, IOWA – Rob and Sharon Schelling of Sioux Center always wondered what would happen if a disaster struck in their own backyard.
SIOUX CENTER, IOWA – Rob and Sharon Schelling of Sioux Center always wondered what would happen if a disaster struck in their own backyard.
They found out.
Massive flooding caused devastating damage in the neighboring community of Rock Valley in June 2014. In the aftermath of the disaster, the Schellings again were called to serve – as they had many times before at disaster sites throughout North America. They oversaw the rehabilitation of 35 homes during a seven-month period as volunteer construction supervisors for World Renew.
The Schellings, who are the former owners of Schelling Construction in Sioux Center and now are retired, don’t think their efforts are more special than many ways other people serve. They say it’s just their way to serve.
“That’s what God calls us to do,” Sharon said. “He’s given us a gift, and we need to use it.”
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| Rob and Sharon Schelling of Sioux Center will be presented the Addink Community Service Award during Promise Community Health Center’s “An Evening of Promise” on Tuesday, Oct. 13. They have been involved in rebuilding efforts at disaster sites throughout North America during the past 25 years, including Rock Valley after the flood of 2014. |
For their selfless service throughout the years, the Schellings will be presented with the fourth annual Addink Community Service Award during Promise Community Health Center’s “An Evening of Promise” on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Terrace View Event Center in Sioux Center. They were selected after being nominated for the honor by multiple people.
The Rev. Don De Kok of Maurice Reformed Church stated in his nomination that the Schellings have “positively impacted countless lives” through their service.
“Rob and Sharon have faithfully used the gifts God has given them,” he said. “Rob and Sharon have provided provided hope and encouragement to many they have served. Rob and Sharon have been excellent role models of what it means to serve Christ through how He has gifted you.”
About 25 years ago, the Schellings started taking part in annual, one-week, winter work projects arranged by their church, Maurice Reformed, to many sites throughout the country. Because of their experience in the construction business, they figured reconstruction work was a way they could help people. Those projects were under the umbrella of various organizations, but many of them were headed up by World Renew, which then was known as Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC).
After retiring in 2010, the Schellings stepped up their involvement in disaster relief efforts even more. They purchased a RV and embarked on longer assignments to various locations across the country. In 2012, they assumed the role of construction supervisor for World Renew, which now is a joint ministry of the CRC and RCA denominations.
Throughout the years, they have been to some of North America’s worst disaster areas: New Orleans a few times after Hurricane Katrina, New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy, Oklahoma after the church fires, Birmingham, AL, after the tornadoes, and many other places. They recently returned from High River, Alberta, Canada, where massive flooding occurred.
World Renew assignments run three weeks for the retired volunteer program, but the Schellings often volunteer to do two in a row for a six-week period.
“There’s no automatic as to what we do or how often,” Rob said. “Our goal in our conversations is two or three times a year we will go and fill an assignment.”
The Rock Valley project was unique compared to other assignments the Schellings have been involved with. They could go home every night, and it extended for seven months from October 2014 to May 2015.
World Renew did initial need assessments in Rock Valley by going door to door. It then passed off the direct supervision of the project to a long-term Rock Valley recovery team. That’s when the Schellings were brought into the picture.
They initially were handed 25 projects to oversee, but the list ultimately expanded to 35, mostly involving basement rehabilitations. They determined what needed to be done at each site, put together a materials list and developed a scope of work to give to the volunteers. They reviewed skill assessments, which the volunteers completed in advance through World Renew, so they could place the volunteers in jobs that best fit their capabilities. Tasks included reframing walls, hanging drywall, painting, doing electrical work and cooking meals for volunteers.
Teams from many different places – including Minnesota, Michigan, Florida and Canada – came to Rock Valley during the rebuilding process. In May, a challenge was put out to the churches of Rock Valley to finish the few remaining projects.
Joe Vander Zee, executive director of Rock Valley-based Justice for All, which also was directly involved in the rebuilding project, said the Schelling’s “can-do attitude and resourcefulness made a huge difference in the rebuilding of our community.”
“It’s awesome seeing Rob and Sharon in action,” Vander Zee said. “They love what they do, and their God-given abilities and experience make them extremely effective.”
And the Schellings will never forget that project.
“We loved it in Rock Valley,” Sharon said. “Rock Valley was very special.”
The Schellings also have overseen projects the last several years for Hands in Service (HIS) Work Camp of the RCA denomination. Crews of high school students go to a location two out of three years to do various tasks such as shingling, painting, siding and cleaning up yards. The Schellings’ first experience with HIS Work Camp was in Parkersburg, IA, after the devastating tornado in 2008. The rest of the projects mostly have been in Tennessee.
They also have helped to head up various building projects at Maurice Reformed, including the Family Life Center addition that was finished in 2002, a fellowship hall remodel and currently a bus barn construction project.
“The ministry of Maurice Reformed Church has adequate facilities because of Rob and Sharon,” Rev. De Kok said.
Sharon said they don’t like to sit around, so they prefer to be busy working on a project together.
“I’m very task oriented. She’s very people oriented,” Rob said. “It’s a great combination because in reality we can fix up people’s homes, but they all have a story. That’s where she comes in and is a key part of it. That’s why we’re a good team – always.”
Promise Community Health Center, headquartered in Sioux Center, is the only Federally Qualified Health Center in the far northwest corner of Iowa. To learn more, visit www.promisechc.org.
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| 88improv will perform during Promise Community Health Center’s “An Evening of Promise” on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Terrace View Event Center in Sioux Center. Ticket sales end Oct. 5. |
‘AN EVENING OF PROMISE’:
Rob and Sharon Schelling will be presented the Addink Community Service Award during Promise Community Health Center’s “An Evening of Promise” on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Terrace View Event Center in Sioux Center.
The event, which will serve as Promise’s seventh annual celebration and fundraiser, will begin at 6 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
Ticket sales end Oct. 5.
The evening will feature:
- Entertainment by 88improv, an improvisational comedy troupe from Omaha, NE;
- Dinner catered by Blue Mountain Culinary Emporium of Orange City;
- Presentation of the Addink Community Service Award;
- Silent auction to support Promise. View the auction items online at promiseauction.blogspot.com.
Former KTIV TV news anchor Kristie VerMulm of Sioux City will serve as the emcee for the evening.
TO BUY TICKETS:
Tickets for Promise Community Health Center’s “An Evening of Promise” will be sold through Oct. 5. They are $35 for adults, $20 for youth ages 4-18 and free for children 3 and under. Tickets can be purchased online at promisecelebration.eventbrite.com or at Promise Community Health Center, 338 1st Ave. NW, Sioux Center. For more information or to request a ticket registration form, contact Derrick Vander Waal at 712-722-1700 or derrick@promisechc.org.
