How SERVE Village is turning Hoosier hospitality into critical flood relief
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Volunteers supporting SERVE Village flood relief efforts working at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. Photo: Courtesy of SERVE Village
As Central Indiana digs out from historic flooding, a Hamilton County nonprofit is turning an extraordinary wave of volunteerism into organized aid for the people who need it most.
Why it matters: The White River crested at a record 24.6 feet in Noblesville over the weekend, leaving residents and critical infrastructure across the region facing a long, difficult recovery.
- SERVE Village is coordinating a response by connecting residents, herding volunteers and gathering the supplies needed for cleanup.
Driving the news: SERVE has transformed the Hamilton County Fairgrounds into a respite and resource center, as well as an easy-to-access collection point for community donations.
- The response has been so strong that SERVE had to temporarily pause taking donations earlier this week before reopening those collection points with regularly updated lists of in-demand items.
What they’re saying: “We need totes for people to put their belongings in. We need tarps. We need metal shovels … heavier duty stuff to get debris out,” SERVE Board President Michelle Schmidt tells Axios.
- “Another really big thing that we don't currently have any of is bug spray,” she says. “The mosquitoes are coming out. The flies are coming out. So we need those foggers and those bug sprays.”
By the numbers: Schmidt says more than 1,400 people have volunteered, while hundreds of residents have already come through the fairgrounds seeking assistance.
- She estimated roughly 500 people visited in a single day.
Case in point: Schmidt says the most remarkable part has been watching people who need help turn around and help someone else.
- She recalls asking over a microphone for an interpreter for a resident seeking assistance. Someone receiving support stepped forward to volunteer.
That desire to help with very little to give is what compelled Fishers resident Gregory Hicks to spend some time on Monday and Tuesday giving people without reliable transportation or cash for an Uber rides to the fairgrounds.
- “I got this old car and a lot of free time,” he said. “It’s the least I can do. But I hope it helps.”
Flashback: SERVE Village grew out of a Noblesville-area effort that began more than 15 years ago as SERVE Noblesville, bringing churches and community members together around volunteer projects.
- The organization has since evolved into a year-round nonprofit focused on service, connection and community-building.
- Its annual SERVE Week in late June was billed as Hamilton County's largest volunteer event.
What’s next: SERVE had been keeping an 8am-8pm schedule at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds since last weekend, but it's adjusted the hours as it enter the next phase of their relief efforts.
- The resource hub will be open 11am-6pm Friday, 10am-2pm Saturday and closed on Sunday for the group’s long-planned SERVE Celebration and annual meeting.
- “Instead of canceling the celebration, we're going to take time to celebrate our community,” Schmidt says. “It'll look different than what we planned, but that is what we're going to do on Sunday.”
- The hub reopens Monday with hours still to be determined.