This was the third time that the ABMen have visited the tornado-torn communities of Monson and Brimfield.
Clive E. Roberts of Belmont, N.H., the disaster relief co-ordinator for the Vermont and New Hampshire chapter of ABMen, cuts a cross into the stump of a tree he and his crew cut along with other downed trees from the June 1 tornado at a home on East Hill Road Friday. The ABMen have spent several days clearing trees in Monson in recent weeks.MONSON - With bits of wood and leaves stuck to his sweat-streaked face, Clive E. Roberts said the ABMen do more than cutting trees and clearing properties ravaged by the tornado - they also spread a message of hope.
"It's not just about cutting the trees. It's about trying to help the people feel better, show there's still hope," said Roberts, disaster relief coordinator for ABMen of Vermont and New Hampshire.
The group leaves it mark - a cross - on the tree stumps as a reminder that they've been there.
"It's like a signature," he said.
Roberts talked on Friday about the mission of the faith-based, non-profit group that helps people after natural disasters as he took a break from cutting trees at 30 East Hill Road. ABMen is short for American Baptist Men.
The heatwave didn't stop the group from continuing its mission, and they tackled the tree-covered yard with gusto.
"It's very, very rewarding kind of work," Roberts said. "I've gotten hugged in the last few weeks more than I probably have in my entire life."
Roberts was with seven other ABMen, a group that also included two women, and said more volunteers are expected to arrive this weekend to help with the cleanup effort.
This was the third time that the ABMen have visited the tornado-torn communities of Monson and Brimfield. The first time, the ABMen went to Brimfield, cutting 300 trees there, and clearing another 80 trees at the Village Green Campground, where they stayed. Virginia Darlow was killed at the campground as the tornado swept through on June 1.
"We figured we'd go to Monson," Roberts said.
There he found volunteer coordinator Karen King and Wendy J. Deshais, and they connected the group with people who could use help in their town. Roberts said they cut down 15 trees for a man who had been told that it would cost him $6,000 to hire a private company. The ABMen did it for free.
On their second visit to Monson last week, they helped 41 families clear their properties, visiting Ely, Wood Hill, Cote and Bethany roads, and the Stewart Avenue neighborhood. They also helped another 11 families in Brimfield.
The men, many of whom are retirees, wield chainsaws and use heavy equipment like professionals. Roberts said they will stay until Wednesday, then will return late next week for a fourth visit.
He's taken the ABMen to Louisiana, in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, and to Galveston, Texas, after Hurricane Ike. Each cleanup is different, he said.
Elmo Stevens, left, and Clive E. Roberts, of the Vermont - New Hampshire chapter of American Baptist Men kneel next to a stump where they carved the ABMen signature - a cross."A tornado is different than a hurricane. It twists the trees," said Roberts, who is in the excavation and logging business when he's not donating his time with the ABMen.
Clad in long sleeves because he gets sunburns, Roberts and his crew were braving the nearly 100-degree temperatures as they chainsawed and moved brush around the Raymond family's property.
Elmo Stevens, an ABMen from Edmeston, N.Y., said this was his second visit to Monson.
"God called me," Stevens said.
Stevens couldn't talk about the tornado's destruction in Monson.
"It bothers me too much," said Stevens, a firefighter.
Rachel H. Divers, a member of ABMen from New Hampshire, said, "People don't have a clue what it's like down here."
King said the group does more than tree cutting, and "talks with (the residents) in an ecumenical way." The ABMen found some residents with post-traumatic stress and psychological problems after the tornado, and told King, who got them help.
The ABMen are staying at the Monson Developmental Center, and the volunteers are providing them with food during their stay. Donations have allowed the ABMen to keep working, paying for their fuel costs. Osterman Propane matched the $1,500 in donations that poured in this week.
"They can't sleep at night knowing we need help," King said about the ABMen.
The group ranged in age from a 46-year-old police officer using a chainsaw to a 73-year-old man operating a "skid steer" loader to move brush around.
Daniel McFaul, 61, of North Haverill, N.H., said he likes the camaraderie of ABMen. He admitted the heat was slowing them down a little.
Christine Raymond watched the ABMen clean her yard. Her house just had roof damage, unlike others just a short distance away that were crushed by the tornado.
Trees were their problem. The yard was covered.
"This is awesome that they do this like this. It takes a lot of hard work," Raymond said.
"I think it's awesome," said her son Joshua Raymond, 10.
King, who called the ABMen "phenomenal," said anyone who would like to donate food or money for the ABMen, or who needs help with tree removal, can call the volunteer hotline at (413) 258-0207. They need $1,500 to work for a week.