Found money and a celebration of new friendships were part of the final day of operations for Cambridge City’s flood relief center.
On Sept. 30, a man drove into the parking lot of Cambridge City Christian Church’s ministry center, and asked where to donate money to flood relief.
He’d found $20 and decided the church was qualified to find someone who could benefit. He chose to remain anonymous, and volunteer Susie Auman thanked him.
Their exchange was one of thousands at the ministry center since Aug. 12 flooding damaged more than 300 Jackson Township homes.
After flood waters receded, CCCC’s ministry center became an active community hub. Church staff, members and volunteers provided meals, laundry service, bottled water, food, cleaning supplies, clothing and assistance with aid applications. CCCC worked in tandem with neighboring efforts such as those of Cambridge City’s American Legion Post 169, Red Cross at Golay Community Center and Cambridge City Public Library, and Jackson Township’s trustee.
CCCC ministry assistant Shelby Cornett said it gives her chills to think that the standalone building was paid off just one week before the flood. It had been CCCC’s longtime food pantry and clothes closet. Despite about a foot of water in the church basement, CCCC leaders stepped up to serve those who had lost even more.
Volunteers were thanked for whatever they did, Auman said. When a man needed to charge his cell phone but none of the chargers were compatible, she drove to Dublin to buy one.
“You would have thought I gave him a million dollars,” she said.
She and Cornett agreed that local unity has been amazing, and they’ve appreciated the opportunity to get to know acquaintances even better. Auman now lives in Richmond, but felt called to serve her hometown.
One woman, who didn’t want to give her name after gathering gear from the clothes closet, said she believes residents of a big city likely wouldn’t have collaborated so well.
“If it hadn’t been for this place, a lot of people would have been worse off,” she said. “They did so much.”
The center’s hours had decreased in recent days, and it closed Sept. 30. Most supplies were distributed to local flood survivors, Cornett said. Remaining supplies are going to other nonprofits.
CCCC’s role in helping flood survivors isn’t finished. It is accepting financial-aid applications from Western Wayne Schools district residents, regardless of church affiliation. Donations can be made to the flood fund at 4c.churchcenter.com/giving or mailed to the church at 106 W. Church St., Cambridge City, IN 47327.
Friendship
Volunteer Mendi McCracken and aid recipient Patsy Lewis developed a friendship through the relief center. McCracken volunteered nearly every day and said she’ll miss it.
“It’s my hometown and I’m going to be there for those I can,” McCracken said.
McCracken met Lewis while delivering bottled water by Gator to residents cleaning their flooded homes. Within 30 minutes, she had recruited five men to help Lewis and her family, and “the rest is history,” Lewis said.
After being rescued by boat, Lewis returned to discover more than 5 feet of water in the home. While some see the storm aftermath as being in the town’s rear-view mirror, recovery remains intense for those with major damage.
“I’m not looking at it in the rear-view mirror, it’s right in the windshield,” Lewis said.
Lewis and her husband, Shawn, moved to Cambridge City five years ago. They’re staying in his brother’s vacant Richmond rental property, but it won’t be available beyond a couple more weeks. They’re unsure where they’ll land because many properties are already rented or won’t accept dogs.
A version of this article will appear in the October 7 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
