Paying it forward to Anthem flood victims - CBS 5 - KPHO

Parts of Anthem flooded early last week, damaging a lot of yards and even destroying a couple of homes. Friday the community continued to pull together to make sure the families affected were not left cleaning up alone.

"I saw some news on Facebook that people were needing some help here," said volunteer Jeff Kolbert. "I don't have much experience in this, but I'm always willing to lend a helping hand."

In the true pay-it-forward fashion, volunteers continue to offer their help.

"We are a really tight-knit community and every time I post something, my friends share it and their friends share it and it just explodes," Laurie Smith said.

Countless volunteers started showing up to help clean up some of the hardest hit homes after Smith's church, Cross of Christ Church in Anthem, responded to the crisis the night it happened.

They put out emails and Facebook posts and started coordinating volunteers, and now the community is showing all of us that sometimes when it rains, it pours love.

"I never thought I would see this in person, only on TV, but to help them, and like I said their spirits were up, I wanted to come back here and help again," Moises Carrillo said.

He is a volunteer with Teen Challenge, a faith-based, non-profit organization.

Here is a list of others who are helping:

Volunteers/In kind Support/Immediate Relief

Plus, there were lots of donations from the public in the "Pay It Forward" bins at the Outlets of Anthem and more than 4,500 volunteer hours. Thank you for your support.

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