WPCNR THE SEWER REPORT. By Paula Piekos. May 13, 2007: On Mother's Day, an assortment of volunteers from all over the United States were present in Mamaroneck, ready to disperse in teams to repair flood-damaged homes .  More volunteers are needed on a daily basis to speed the rehabilitation of the water damage. Work continues in drywall removal and replacement and sanitizing of cellars

From Coast to Coast: Habitant for Humanity and Americorps Volunteers working the Mamaroneck flood disaster area Sunday: Left to right: Shinchook Hong of Iona Prep; Brian Von Rees from Colorado; Jim Kiloran, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity; Westchester; Robert Cooper of Michigan;  Nicola Summa of Jacksonville, Florida; Mary Bonner, President of the Westchester Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity; Jennifer Pawlewski of Clinton, North Carolina; Tara Baker of West Lafayette, Indiana; and Mamaroneck businessman, Mr. Fava. Kiloran says more volunteers locally are needed. Photo by Paula Piekos

Many of the houses have the sheet rock ripped open to dry, but aren't put back together again. Some people tried a weekend of volunteering, but then figure they did their part and don't go back. There really is an ongoing need to keep up the rehabilitation, and it's impressive Habitat for Humanity put out a call for Americorps people and got them here from so far away.

If the people in Mamaroneck don't continue to get new volunteers, they will be left hanging. There's so much still, and it's starting to feel like old news, when the aftermath of the April 15 torrential rains and flooding hasn't been dealt with yet. There's a false though that FEMA will make it better for residents, but the few checks that have been given out have been for amounts like $1,500, not the $28,000 you hear of in the media.

I asked a county planner Saturday when the County is meeting with residents will be, and he said it will be in mid-June at the County Center. That is a month away. Meanwhile the residents (of Mamaroneck and White Plains in the Beverly Road area) seem to be left to cope with the disaster alone with only Habitat for Humanity's help.

To volunteer or donate, go to www.habitatwc.org or call 636-8335, Extension 101.