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.”