Dade Metropolis church searching for volunteers, provides forward of post-Milton cleanup

DADE CITY, Fla. — There’s a query even the strongest believers ask.

Why does God enable unhealthy issues to occur to good individuals?

Contained in the Dade Metropolis residence the place Tommy Fitch lives, most individuals would shortly ponder that query.

The flooring are nonetheless soggy. Furnishings is in ruins. Partitions and doorways are peppered with black mould.

“There’s a whole lot of mould in all places,” Fitch stated.

The house — and noxious odor of mould — will choke you up in additional methods than one.

“I’m a 46 yr previous man, and I used to be crying for a pair days once I noticed this,” he stated.

The house belongs to Fitch’s dad and mom. Months in the past, he retired, offered two houses in Cleveland, and moved again in together with his dad and mom. He hoped to dwell the remainder of his days there and finally cross the household residence onto his son, 18, who additionally moved down just lately.

Then, Hurricane Milton hit. Eight days after, the house and far of Dade Metropolis flooded.

“This was simply unreal,” Fitch recalled.

When close by rivers crested from Milton’s rain, it flooded a lot of the world and stunned households just like the Fitches.

It destroyed their houses and most treasured belongings.

In Fitch’s residence, even the household Bible was soaked to its core.

“You understand, my mother — she’ll cry sooner or later, and I’ll hug her. And my dad’s as laborious as nails. It’s laborious,” he stated with tears welling in his eyes.

It might be simple to query God in a state of affairs like this, however Fitch by no means did.

In actual fact, he was in the midst of prayer when he bought a joyful telephone name. He bought a name from Father Carlos Rojas, the pastor of the St. Rita Catholic Church in Dade Metropolis.

“God allowed this,” Father Rojas stated. “This has given us a possibility to dwell out our religion and put our religion in motion.”

However the native priest didn’t name Fitch to supply a sermon. He referred to as to supply assist.

On Saturday, Rojas will lead a crew of volunteers to begin the method of eradicating harm from ten — perhaps 15 — houses throughout Dade Metropolis. Fitch’s house is on the listing.

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“We’ll should go inside and intestine every thing. Empty the, you understand, furnishings, mattresses, home equipment, clothes, toys. Every part goes out. After which, begin getting the drywall, the carpets, the flooring,” he stated.

Proper now, Rojas wants further volunteers and donations of particular person protecting tools like masks, boots, and coveralls.

In case you’d prefer to take part within the clean-up, you’re requested to report back to the St. Rita Catholic Church at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23. The church is situated at 14404 14th St. in Dade Metropolis.

You may also donate to the church’s effort at this hyperlink.

To Fitch, any assist represents an answered prayer — a cause to maintain the religion and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

“It’s God. God took care of all of us,” he stated. “It’s going to be joyful.”