Riverview chaplain travels to Houston to help with hurricane relief efforts
Sarah Petz | CBC News | Posted: October 15, 2017 8:15 PM | Last Updated: October 16, 2017
Jonathan Gorham says he felt compelled to offer a helping hand
When people are in need, Jonathan Gorham says he can't help but want to help.
The 67-year-old Riverview chaplain is spending two weeks in Houston to aid with ongoing relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey.
Working with Samaritan's Purse, a Christian relief and development organization, Gorham said he's not entirely sure what he'll be doing.
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He said it will likely involve clean-up work and restoration.
In addition to being a pastor for more than 25 years, Gorham is also a licensed plumber.
After hearing about the devastation the hurricane left in its wake, he said decided to find out how he could help.
"When I see a need, something stirs within me," he said.
"That's my heartbeat, I guess, reaching out to people who are hurting, in any capacity I can."
Longtime volunteer
This is not the first time Gorham has undertaken volunteer work.
Gorham is also a volunteer firefighter with the Riverview Fire Department, where he doubles as the department's chaplain.
He is also a volunteer chaplain at the Moncton Hospital, and took part in a volunteer mission to northern Cameroon a few years ago to work at a medical clinic.
"I thoroughly enjoy that kind of work," he said.
Gorham will be in Houston for two weeks, working with a team of 10 people.
Nearly 140,000 homes were damaged or destroyed as a result of the storm, which happened in late August, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
State officials have said the damage estimates add up to about $180 billion US, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.