And we stay until the job is done.
What does recovery look like for the people who live it? Watch these conversations with neighbors D.A.R.E. has helped.
Registered volunteers sign up right here.
Pick a trip, then choose the days you can come. Leonard gets a note when you save.
D.A.R.E. Ministries provides long-term disaster recovery for our neighbors in Georgia — long after the news cameras leave.
When disaster strikes, the world watches. News crews arrive, donations pour in, and volunteers fill the streets. But within weeks, the cameras leave. The donations slow. And our neighbors are left standing in the wreckage of their homes, wondering if anyone still cares.
We care. And we stay.
D.A.R.E. Ministries is a faith-based coalition of volunteers committed to long-term disaster recovery in Georgia. Connected to the United Methodist tradition, we bring together church groups, community organizations, and individuals who believe that rebuilding a life takes more than a weekend.
From Augusta to Valdosta, we deploy multi-day teams to do the essential work: repairing roofs, demolishing damaged structures, installing fencing, soffit, fascia, and whatever else our neighbors need to come home again.
"We will always be there to fix the roof."
Roof repair, structural fixes, drywall, flooring, and the essential work that makes a house a home again after disaster.
Removing damaged materials, clearing debris, and preparing sites for reconstruction so families can begin to rebuild.
We organize teams for extended trips to disaster areas, providing overnight lodging and meals so volunteers can focus on the work.
We partner with churches, relief organizations and community groups.
How D.A.R.E. Ministries came to be
When a tornado tore through North Carolina, Mike Carmichael and Harold Dodson led a group of men from Roswell UMC to assist — equipped with nothing but personal tools and chainsaws. Inspired by their grit, Rick Page purchased an equipment trailer and — along with Richard Lowenthal, Rusty Gordon, and others — filled it with tools and supplies. The Disaster Assistance and Recovery Effort was born. Roswell UMC would be ready.
When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, DARE was among the first to deploy to Louisiana and Mississippi. Over the next several years, DARE made over 30 recovery trips, with the Bereans and CUC classes leading the way. With the volume of volunteers joining teams, the DARE equipment trailer was stationed on site in Mississippi for the duration of the recovery effort.
When Hurricane Michael — the first Category 5 storm to hit the US mainland since 1992 — struck Florida, DARE leadership passed to Leonard Scarboro. Roswell UMC formed teams to respond, and over 24 teams deployed to the Panama City, FL area to assist in the long recovery ahead.
As deployments continued through and after the COVID lockdown, a new challenge emerged: finding enough volunteers. It was decided that DARE could no longer be limited to Roswell UMC. Leonard began recruiting other churches and groups to join the effort. In 2024, DARE received an award for dedication and leadership in Long-Term Recovery from Bishop Dease at the North Georgia UMC Annual Conference.
DARE deploys teams from Roswell UMC and over 30 partner organizations every month. Recovery efforts take 18–24 months, and DARE has made a promise to stay as long as needed. Inspired by Luke 5:17–26, our volunteers carry one question with them: Who fixed the roof?
Thanks to Rick Page and to our thousands of volunteers — when asked "Who fixed the roof?" — we answer: I DID!
Over twenty years of showing up — here's what that looks like in numbers.
Numbers updated by DARE leadership. Last updated: —
Where we're working right now
Ongoing home repair and rebuilding efforts for families impacted by severe storm damage. Our teams are working on roofing, structural repairs, and exterior restoration.
Multi-phase recovery including demolition of unsafe structures, debris removal, fencing installation, and home weatherization for affected homeowners.
Early-stage hurricane relief in partnership with the Alabama-West Florida Conference. ERT work including tarping, muck-outs, chainsaw clearing, and debris removal. Teams must be flexible and self-sufficient.
Know a community that needs help? Get in touch and let us know.
Recaps from our latest deployments
The Roswell United Methodist Church's DARE team joined with long time partner Dunwoody UMC's DART team to form an Early Response Team (ERT.) Our goal ...
The Roswell United Methodist Church sent its DARE team to Augusta, GA on our 15th trip in 2026. DARE had 35 total volunteers from 10 different church...
DARE will be traveling to the Augusta, GA area on Thursday the 15th to the 17th. We will have a total of 35 volunteer assisting storm survivors over ...
Your financial support helps us purchase building materials, cover transportation costs, and provide meals and lodging for our volunteer teams. Every dollar goes directly toward rebuilding homes and restoring hope for disaster-affected families in Georgia.
Choosing DARE - Disaster Relief is what sends your gift to our rebuilding work instead of the church's general fund.
Gifts are processed securely through Roswell United Methodist Church's online giving page. Questions about giving or other ways to help? Contact us at whofixedtheroof@gmail.com or call (706) 340-2221.
Whether you want to volunteer, donate, or bring your church group on a deployment, we'd love to hear from you.