Employee Spotlight

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

Employee Spotlight

SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County would like to welcome our newest employee Hilary Gregory! Hilary is a Marketing Representative and the wife of our operations manager Drew Gregory. She has ten years of marketing experience. One of her favorite parts of the job is meeting and interacting with new people every day including clients, customers, and members of the community. She also loves working for a company whose purpose is to help people and she enjoys how every day is completely different - there is always something new and interesting to learn. In her free time she likes to read, go on walks, travel, and spend time with her family. Her favorite Leavenworth restaurants so far are The Suburban and Harbor Lights Coffee! 

SERVPRO is always here to help! Call our office at 913-772-1818.

Employee Appreciation

12/15/2022 (Permalink)

Employee Appreciation

Hello and welcome to our Employee Spotlight Series! Jake Mitchell is a Crew Chief at SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County. He has 10 years of experience, 6 of those with SERVPRO,  and has the following certification from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC): Water Damage Restoration, Applied Microbial Remediation, Applied Structural Drying, Carpet Cleaning, and Odor Control.

In his spare time he likes to go fishing with his family. His favorite part of his job is helping people in their time of need. His favorite Leavenworth restaurant is Ten Penny! 

If you would like to check out the rest of the crew at SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County click here. And remember we are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week!

Employee Appreciation

9/5/2022 (Permalink)

Jacob

Hello and welcome to our Employee Spotlight Series! Jacob Robinson is one of our  Production Managers at SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County. He has several years of experience with customer service and equipment repair and is always ready to enthusiastically help in any situation. In his spare time he enjoys doing outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and camping. His favorite part of his job is seeing the relief customers feel when they know SERVPRO is there to help, and when the customers see the final results of the work. His favorite Leavenworth restaurant is The Depot.

To see the rest of our employee bios please visit our employee page by clicking here

How to Sanitize Surfaces

5/14/2022 (Permalink)

How to sanitize surfaces

In these uncertain times, SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County knows staying safe is the most important thing you can do. However, if you have to go out for work, to get groceries, or you just need to get out of your house and take a walk, it is important to make sure you are washing your hands and keeping clean surfaces at home. There is a lot of misinformation out there and it can be hard to know the correct method for disinfecting surfaces. You've heard of these cleaning types before, but do you know the differences between them?

Employee Spotlight

5/2/2022 (Permalink)

Employee Spotlight

SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte Co would like to welcome our newest employee Hilary Gregory! Hilary is our newest Marketing Representative and the wife of our operations manager Drew Gregory. She has over eight years of marketing experience and one of her favorite parts of the job is meeting and interacting with new people every day including clients, customers, and members of the community. She also loves working for a company whose purpose is to help people and the fact that every day is completely different and there is always something new and interesting to learn.  In her free time she likes to read, cuddle with her dog, and spend time with her family. Her favorite Leavenworth restaurant so far is Meriwether's Cafe!

Employee Appreciation

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

Employee Appreciation

Welcome to our Employee Spotlight Series! Matthew Thorman is a Production Manager at SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County. He has been working with our SERVPRO team for 9 years and has experience with cleanup, restoration, and customer service. He also recently graduated from Northwest Missouri State with a degree in Health and Wellness and where he played the position of punter on the football team for 4 years, making it to two national championships. In his spare time Matthew likes to stay active playing with the Kansas City Rugby Football Club, playing golf, and doing any kind of fitness related activity. His favorite part of his job is getting to help those in need. He loves helping people and the community as a whole. His favorite Leavenworth restaurant is The Depot! 

Employee Appreciation

12/14/2021 (Permalink)

Employee Appreciation

Hello and welcome to our Employee Spotlight Series! Jake Mitchell is a Crew Chief at SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County. He has 9 years of experience, 5 of those with SERVPRO,  and has the following certification from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC): Water Damage Restoration, Applied Microbial Remediation, Applied Structural Drying, Carpet Cleaning, and Odor Control. In his spare time he likes to go fishing with his family. His favorite part of his job is helping people in their time of need. His favorite Leavenworth restaurant is Ten Penny! 

If you would like to check out the rest of the crew at SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County click here. And remember we are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week!

Employee Appreciation

11/16/2021 (Permalink)

Employee Appreciation

Hello and welcome to our Employee Spotlight Series! Will Taylor is the most recent addition to our marketing team! He started here in 2020 and has proven to be a fast learner. His favorite part of the job is getting to meet people from all walks of life and being able to confidently say we will make things right for them in a time of uncertainty. In his free time Will likes to spend time with his wife and puppy and play rugby. His favorite restaurant in Leavenworth is a tie between the Metropolitan Steakhouse and First City Cheese Market. He just can't decide! 

If you would like to check out the other members of our team please click here and remember we are open 24/7!

Employee Appreciation

10/21/2021 (Permalink)

Employee Appreciation

Hello and welcome to the SERVPRO Employee Appreciation Series! Drew Gregory is the Operations Manager for SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County. He has over 12 years of experience in this industry and has the following certifications from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) Water Damage Restoration, Fire and Smoke Restoration, Odor Control, Applied Microbial Remediation, and Commercial Drying Specialist. His favorite part of the job is being able to restore order to the lives of our customers. In his spare time he likes to camp, golf, and go paint balling. His favorite Leavenworth restaurant is The Depot!

To check out the rest of our employee bios please click here and remember SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County is open 24/7

Employee Appreciation

9/22/2021 (Permalink)

Employee Appreciation

Hello and welcome to our Employee Spotlight Series! Brian is a new addition to SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County, but he has been working in this industry for a little over 6 years. He has the following certification from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC): Water Removal Technician. Brian's favorite part of working for SERVPRO is that every day can bring a new experience, with endless opportunities to learn more about this industry. In his free time Brian likes to play video games and do home improvement projects. His favorite Leavenworth restaurant is The Depot!

To check out the rest of our SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County staff visit our employee page by clicking here and remember we are open 24/7!

Employee Appreciation

8/27/2021 (Permalink)

Employee Appreciation

Hello and welcome to our Employee Spotlight Series! Jacob Robinson is our newest Production Manager at SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County. He has several years of experience with customer service and equipment repair and is always ready to enthusiastically help in any situation. In his spare time he enjoys doing outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and camping. His favorite part of his job is seeing the relief customers feel when they know SERVPRO is there to help, and when the customers see the final results of the work. His favorite Leavenworth restaurant is a tie between The Depot and Excellent Choice. He just can't decide!

To see the rest of our employee bios please visit our employee page by clicking here

Crime Scene Cleanup Services

7/30/2021 (Permalink)

Crime Scene Cleanup Services

Crime scene cleaning? Yes, that's us too. SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County's technicians are expertly trained in trauma and crime scene cleanup. 

Our technicians follow OSHA and EPA protocols to help transform an unsafe environment back into a clean, safe home or business. 

Our first focus is always safety, since crime or accident scenes may involve bloodborne pathogens, harmful chemicals, and other dangers. We will always treat your property and the people involved with the greatest empathy and respect in the face of trying circumstances

Crime Scene and Trauma Cleaning Services

• Fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals
• Tear gas and pepper spray residues
• Fire extinguisher residue
• Blood, bodily fluids, and tissue remnants

To see a more detailed list of our trauma and crime scene cleanup services click here

Employee Appreciation

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

Employee Appreciation

Welcome to SERVPRO employee spotlight! Today we are shining a light on the employee that has been with our company the longest, Emma Amos!! Emma is a Crew Lead and has been working for this franchise for 25 years!! In her spare time she likes to spend time with her granddaughter, ride motorcycles, and spend time outdoors. Her favorite part of the job is helping people when disaster strikes, as well as all the people she has had the pleasure of meeting and working with over the years. Her favorite Leavenworth restaurant is a tie between The Depot and Excellent Choice, they are both so good! For dessert her favorite place is Sis' Sweets. They have the best cookies in town!
Thanks for all the hard work Emma!! We are lucky to have you!

To check out all our employees take a look at our employee page!

How to sanitize a surface

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

How to sanitize a surface

In these uncertain times, SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County knows staying safe is the most important thing you can do. However, if you have to go out for work, to get groceries, or you just need to get out of your house and take a walk, it is important to make sure you are washing your hands and keeping clean surfaces at home. There is a lot of misinformation out there and it can be hard to know the correct method for disinfecting surfaces. You've heard of these cleaning types before, but do you know the differences between them?

General Surface Cleaning

Physically removes microbes if possible, rather than killing them with a sanitizer or disinfectant.

Sanitizing

To be a registered sanitizer, test results must show a reduction of at least 99.9% in bacteria.

Disinfecting

Destroys or irreversibly inactivates microbes, but not necessarily the spores of bacteria and fungi.

If someone in your home or work area does test positive for COVID-19, or if you want preventative sanitizing done, SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County has all the correct equipment to get it done for you. Just call us at 913-772-1818.

COVID-19 Cleaning

4/20/2021 (Permalink)

COVID-19 Cleaning

COVID-19 CLEANING: WE ARE OPEN!

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need:

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of COVID-19, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.
The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to COVID-19.
Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of COVID-19, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning: 913-772-1818
If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today –
SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County

How often should you get your carpet cleaned

3/8/2021 (Permalink)

How often should you get your carpet cleaned

SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County is proud to be a part of the SERVPRO family. And being part of the #1 company in the industry, means we know dirt. Did you know that when a carpet looks dirty, you're only seeing the dirt at the top of the fibers! The dirt hiding below the surface is what causes most damage We're cleaning pros so of course we clean carpet! Here's a general cleaning schedule you can follow:

For residential homes/apartments: Normally every 6-12 months, but if you have kids and/or pets it is best to have them cleaned every 3-6 months

For commercial buildings: Normally every 6-12 months

DYK? Carpet totally saturated w/ soil can never be restored.

The difference between sterile, disinfected, and sanitary

2/24/2021 (Permalink)

The difference between sterile, disinfected, and sanitary

SERVPRO knows that in this COVID-19 age it is perhaps more important than ever to know how to properly clean surfaces, and to know the difference between sterilizing, disinfecting, and sanitizing an area. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic SERVPRO was an expert in biohazard cleanup, which is why we feel more prepared than ever to help! Take a look below at the different levels of clean, and if you have any questions about the different levels of clean or need help cleaning a space after COVID-19 exposure give us a call! We are here 24/7. 

STERILE: removal of 100% of soils and microorganisms

DISINFECTED: when at least 99% of the soils and microorganisms are removed from a surface 

SANITARY: when soils and microorganisms are removed to the point that general good health is protected 

Water Restoration Company Open 24/7

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

Water Restoration Company Open 24/7

Did you know that SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! Excellent customer service and protecting your home from extended damage are our top priority so we are open all the time. Our dedicated and skilled crew is always ready to answer the call. Whether it is at one o'clock in the morning on a Sunday or New Year's Eve your water damage, fire, or mold loss is not going to wait so neither do we! SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County understands the urgency of home damage and we are here to make it "Like it never even happened." To learn more about our crew of skilled professionals click here and for service or questions give us a call at 913-772-1818.

Continuing Education

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

Continuing Education

Every state requires Continuing Education Credits for property and casualty insurance professionals. State requirements vary, generally running from 10 to 24 hours biennially while a few states require more. Failure to remain current with credits can result in fines and loss of license.

SERVPRO of Leavenworth & NW Wyandotte County has made a commitment to serve insurance professionals by offering free continuing education classes in various locations around Metro Kansas City and Leavenworth Kansas.

Teaching these classes has become part of the job I enjoy most. The adjusters and agents can then use this information to assist their clients in getting the service they deserve. 

While COVID-19 has restricted us from offering in person classes, we are able to offer them virtually! 

SERVPRO of Leavenworth & NW Wyandotte County offers insurance credits for Kansas and Missouri Agents as well as key states for insurance adjusters. Those states are Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

How to Clean Gutters

10/23/2020 (Permalink)

How to Clean Gutters

With all the exciting and fun activities fall has to offer it is easy to push off boring tasks like making sure your gutters are clean. Cleaning your gutters is a necessary job although it is most assuredly not as exciting as picking out pumpkins or tackling a corn maze. When rain gutters get clogged with leaves and other debris over time, it can cause water damage to your home. While SERVPRO definitely recommends cleaning your gutters we want to make sure you are safe while you are doing it. Please see below for some safety tips and best practices while cleaning your gutters.

Choose a good ladder. Choosing a good ladder means finding one that is sturdy, and one that can reach the gutters without too much trouble.
Inspect your ladder before you use it, and have a friend assist you in steadying the ladder. Make sure the steps are sturdy and try climbing up the first two steps to make sure it can hold your weight and stay steady.
Maintain three points of contact when working on a ladder. Both of your feet and one hand should be in contact with the ladder at all times in order to ensure that you will be secure while working.
When working on the gutter, wear eye protection and gloves. Gutters are often home to wasps, bees, and other stinging creatures, as well as to other wildlife.

STORM team ready!

10/23/2020 (Permalink)

STORM team ready!

Did you know that SERVPRO has STORM teams that travel all around the country to help out local franchises when storm events occur! As the Midwest keeps getting hit by rain and tornadoes the SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team can provide help. The SERVPRO System has a network of strategically positioned storm teams on standby should a disaster strike near you. Available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are prepared for the unpredictable.

With the ability to mobilize local command centers, along with the resources of more than 1,700 Franchises nationwide, no disaster is too big. Recent mobilizations of the Catastrophic Storm Response Teams include:

2017 California wildfires
2015 Carolina floods
2014 Polar Vortex
2010 Nashville floods
2007 Chicago floods
2007 Ohio floods
2005 Katrina/Wilma/Rita

How to sanitize a surface

4/15/2020 (Permalink)

How to sanitize a surface

In these uncertain times, SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County knows staying safe and staying inside are two of the most important things you can do. However, if you have to go out for work, to get groceries, or you just need to get out of your house and take a walk, it is important to make sure you are washing your hands and keeping clean surfaces at home. There is a lot of misinformation out there and it can be hard to know the correct method for disinfecting surfaces. You've heard of these cleaning types before, but do you know the differences between them?

General Surface Cleaning

Physically removes microbes if possible, rather than killing them with a sanitizer or disinfectant.

Sanitizing

To be a registered sanitizer, test results must show a reduction of at least 99.9% in bacteria.

Disinfecting

Destroys or irreversibly inactivates microbes, but not necessarily the spores of bacteria and fungi.

If someone in your home or work area does test positive for COVID-19, or if you want preventative sanitizing done, SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County has all the correct equipment to get it done for you. Just call us at 913-772-1818.

COVID-19 Update

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 UPDATE: WE ARE OPEN!

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need:

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of COVID-19, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.
The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:
• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to COVID-19.
Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of COVID-19, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local
authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning: 913-772-1818
If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today –
SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County

All Day Every Day!

2/27/2020 (Permalink)

All day every day!

Did you know that SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! Excellent customer service and protecting your home from extended damage are our top priority so we are open all the time. Our dedicated and skilled crew is always ready to answer the call. Whether it is at one o'clock in the morning on a Sunday or New Year's Eve your water damage, fire, or mold loss is not going to wait so neither do we! SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County understands the urgency of home damage and we are here to make it "Like it never even happened." To learn more about our crew of skilled professionals click here and for service or questions give us a call at 913-772-1818.

Helping Educate with Fun!

12/5/2019 (Permalink)

Have fun while you learn!

Every state requires Continuing Education Credits for property and casualty insurance professionals. State requirements vary, generally running from 10 to 24 hours biennially while a few states require more. Failure to remain current with credits can result in fines and loss of license.

SERVPRO of Leavenworth & NW Wyandotte County has made a commitment to serve insurance professionals by offering free continuing education classes in various locations around Metro Kansas City and Leavenworth Kansas.

Teaching these classes has become part of the job I enjoy most. Being a Certified Continuing Education Instructor allows me to provide in-depth information on the current state of the restoration industry. The adjusters and agents can then use this information to assist their clients in getting the service they deserve.

SERVPRO of Leavenworth & NW Wyandotte County offers insurance credits for Kansas and Missouri Agents as well as key states for insurance adjusters. Those states are Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Below is a photo from our Halloween themed CE Class.

Supporting the Leavenworth Community

10/23/2019 (Permalink)

Thanks to Victory Ford and the chamber for a fantastic morning of networking

Did you know that SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County is a member of several local community organizations around Leavenworth including the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce, Leavenworth Main Street Association, and the Leavenworth Lions Club. All these associations are extremely active in community events and help in creating networking opportunities throughout the community. In this blog you can see a picture of one of these events. The Leavenworth Chamber often hosts coffee meet and greets as well. You can usually find SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County's marketing manager Paul Goode at many of these events. If you feel like getting more involved in community activities and/or want to talk with Paul about SERVPRO feel free to engage in any or all of the activities hosted by these groups. 

Safety Tips for Cleaning your Gutters

10/23/2019 (Permalink)

Cleaning gutters

With all the exciting and fun activities fall has to offer it is easy to push off boring tasks like making sure your gutters are clean. Cleaning your gutters is a necessary job although it is most assuredly not as exciting as picking out pumpkins or tackling a corn maze. When rain gutters get clogged with leaves and other debris over time, it can cause water damage to your home. While SERVPRO definitely recommends cleaning your gutters we want to make sure you are safe while you are doing it. Please see below for some safety tips and best practices while cleaning your gutters.

• Choose a good ladder. Choosing a good ladder means finding one that is sturdy, and one that can reach the gutters without too much trouble.
• Inspect your ladder before you use it, and have a friend assist you in steadying the ladder. Make sure the steps are sturdy and try climbing up the first two steps to make sure it can hold your weight and stay steady.
• Maintain three points of contact when working on a ladder. Both of your feet and one hand should be in contact with the ladder at all times in order to ensure that you will be secure while working.
• When working on the gutter, wear eye protection and gloves. Gutters are often home to wasps, bees, and other stinging creatures, as well as to other wildlife.

Always have a backup plan!

5/29/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know that SERVPRO has STORM teams that travel all around the country to help out local franchises when storm events occur! As the Midwest keeps getting hit by rain and tornadoes the SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team can provide help. The SERVPRO System has a network of strategically positioned storm teams on standby should a disaster strike near you. Available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are prepared for the unpredictable.

With the ability to mobilize local command centers, along with the resources of more than 1,700 Franchises nationwide, no disaster is too big. Recent mobilizations of the Catastrophic Storm Response Teams include:

2017 California wildfires
2015 Carolina floods
2014 Polar Vortex
2010 Nashville floods
2007 Chicago floods
2007 Ohio floods
2005 Katrina/Wilma/Rita

Continuing Your Education

5/15/2019 (Permalink)

We like to try and have some fun while we learn! The theme for this class was Cinco de Mayo!

Continuing Education classes are an important part of any profession and here at SERVPRO we recognize that there is always more to learn and ways to improve! 

SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County recently held two free continuing education classes in the Leavenworth area. Our first class was Ethics followed by Biohazard Cleanup Best Practices. 

Ethical behavior is an integral part to any operation and learning the history behind different ethical principles and having open discussions about ethical dilemmas is an important part of keeping all your employees on the same page. 

The second portion of the class was Biohazard Cleanup. In SERVPRO's line of work we do unfortunately come across bio cleanups. There are several proper procedures to follow to make sure there is no cross contamination and making sure everyone is informed with all up to date information is extremely important. 

24/7 and 365

2/26/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know that SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! Excellent customer service and protecting your home from extended damage are our top priority so we are open all the time. Our dedicated and skilled crew is always ready to answer the call. Whether it is at one o'clock in the morning on a Sunday or New Year's Eve your water damage, fire, or mold loss is not going to wait so neither do we! SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County understands the urgency of home damage and we are here to make it "Like it never even happened." To learn more about our crew of skilled professionals click here and for service or questions give us a call at 913-772-1818.

We Answer the Call

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

Thank you to The Leaven for this article. We are always here to lend a hand.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Like the other Sisters at the Mission House Our Lady of Guadalupe, Sister Mariana Disciple of the Divine Master, PJC, was sound asleep in the early morning of Aug. 15.

“I heard something far away, and I awoke scared,” she said.

It was the fire alarm, ringing at 12:30 a.m.

At first, she was slightly confused. Was someone in the chapel?

The convent of the Fraternity the Poor of Jesus Christ, at 2226 Troup Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas, has a beautiful chapel.

“We use incense,” she said. “Everytime we use incense for adoration and the Mass, [the alarm] goes off. I thought I had to turn it off.”

So, she went downstairs to check the alarm control panel, next to the chapel on the first floor.

“It said: ‘First Floor South,’” she said. She turned it off, but the alarm began to sound again.

“I thought, ‘Something is wrong,’” she said.

She was right. She looked down the first floor hallway and saw hazy smoke. She ran back to the second floor to where the five Poor of Jesus Christ Sisters and one visiting Dominican Sister were beginning to stir.

“Fire, fire!” she said. “Call 911!”

They all quickly donned their habits and fled the building. Sister Mariana, curious as to the fire’s location, opened the basement door — and was nearly overwhelmed by a blast of thick, toxic smoke.

Coughing, she closed the door and made her way outside. As she passed the common room, she saw huge flames outside shooting up from below.

It didn’t take long

While waiting on their neighbor’s lawn, the first three Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department trucks rolled up within three minutes after the Sisters fled the convent.

Then, more trucks arrived . . . and more trucks. The firefighters vigorously attacked the blaze and soon had it subdued. They even rescued the Sisters’ cat Missy, who in a panic ran into the basement.

Once they were certain it was safe, the firefighters allowed the Sisters back inside.

There, they opened all the windows on the second floor to air out the building and tried to get at least a bit of fitful, smoky rest before they began the dreadful task of recovery.

With daybreak, the Sisters headed for the basement, which contained the laundry room and served as the order’s storage space. There, they kept much of what they needed for their ministries to the neighborhood poor and homeless, as well as their own food.

Everything in the basement was destroyed. Black soot coated everything, and the heat melted many of the supplies.

The source of the fire was an overheated ballast (current regulator) in an overhead florescent light, said Leon Roberts, archdiocesan consultant for construction and real estate. It melted and sparked a fire on some plastic and clothes below.

The fire caused about $80,000 worth of damage. An adjuster from Catholic Mutual Group was on the scene within 12 hours and a claim has been filed.

“Our basement is used as a food pantry for families we help,” said Sister Magdalena of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the custodian — or superior — of the community.

“We also go out to the homeless twice a week, and we lost everything we take to them — clothes, personal hygiene products,” she continued. “We lost a freezer and refrigerator, coolers and plastic cups. “We lost the equipment we use to make soup.”

Only in America

Except for Sister Magdalena, all the Sisters of the Fraternity the Poor of Jesus Christ are from Brazil or Paraguay. The fire was a new experience — and not just because they’d never experienced a house fire.

The first surprise was the rapid response of the fire department, with lots of equipment and firefighters. Where the Sisters come from, emergency services are slower.

The second surprise was insurance. Generally, people in the Sisters’ home countries don’t have insurance to aid recovery.

And the third surprise was the commando-like response by volunteer Knights of Columbus and the disaster recovery firm SERVPRO® of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County. Professional disaster recovery firms do not exist where the Sisters come from.

“Padre Gilson (the order’s founder) called me,” said Sister Magdalena, and said, ‘So, you’ve got a whole lot of people together to clean up?’

“And I said, ‘No, we have insurance, and there are all these people and a company coming to do the cleaning.’

“He couldn’t believe it. He said, ‘Only in the United States!’”

Volunteer Knights had been doing handyman work at the convent and, when one showed up that morning, he quickly made some calls to brother Knights. Sister Magdalena called others.

SERVPRO® did the lion’s share, but Knights from Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa, Ascension in Overland Park, and St. John Paul II Parish in Olathe joined in the cleanup of the basement. Dave Leiker, a member of Holy Trinity and president of the Charities Aid Foundation of the Knights of Columbus, also helped.

“Through the Knights’ emergency disaster aid program, we’re assisting with food and clothing, to give them money to replace those things,” he said.

“I saw it on the news [that morning],” said Paul Goode, sales representative with SERVPRO®. “I said to myself, ‘My brothers in Christ need help,’ so I got in my car and came here.”

Goode is a Knight of Columbus and a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Louisburg; Dan Thorman, the owner of the company, is a Knight as well and a member of St. Peter Parish in Kansas City, Missouri.

“Once we clean the structure, we’ll come in and [further] assess what needs to be removed,” said Goode. “We’ve done preliminary demolition, and we’ll do a deep clean and assess what needs to be reconstructed.”

by Joe Bollig
joe.bollig@theleaven.org

Red Cross Ready Rating Membership

3/3/2014 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Leavenworth, W Topeka, & NW Wyandotte Co becomes a certified member of the American Red Cross Ready Rating™ Program

SERVPRO is a lead sponsor of the American Red Cross and their Ready Rating™ program. 

Ready Rating is a free, web-based program developed to help businesses; schools and organizations plan and prepare for disasters and emergencies. In addition to employee and public-facing fundraising initiatives, SERVPRO of Leavenworth, W Topeka, & NW Wyandotte Co will serve as advocates for the Ready Rating program within their community.