Fallon's Flood Relief Work
By Ed Fallon

I'd like to encourage all who are able to pitch-in with flood and tornado relief efforts. Iowans have always gone the extra mile to help others in time of need, and in my life I have never witnessed such a time of need as this.

Lynn and I have focused our efforts in Des Moines' Birdland neighborhood. The devastation there is both incredible and eerily familiar. (Birdland was hit hard in 1993, too, and as I raised money for flood victims and helped with clean-up, I got a close-up look at the flood's full fury.)

Today, Lynn and I and two former staffers (Brian Trapp and Avery Lund) worked on two houses, hauling out damaged property, sweeping and shoveling debris, and removing water-logged floor boards. While it's horrible to see the devastation to so many homes and lives, people's gratitude and the clear progress we are able to achieve inspire me to want to do as much as possible.

So, if you would like to help at Birdland let me know. This type of hands-on work was always a big part of my "ministry" as a state legislator, and one silver lining in my primary loss is that I now have more time to help those in need directly.

Thanks!

Ed Fallon