Children's Disaster Services cares for children in Cedar Falls.

A visit to the American Red Cross service center in Cedar Falls, Iowa, is the first stop on the road to recovery for many affected by flooding in the region. For those with children, the process can be more difficult. That's why the volunteers with the Church of the Brethren's Children's Disaster Services are a welcome sight for these parents.

Eighty-five-year-old Jacquelyn Snyder, or Grandma Jackie as she's known to the kids, is one of these volunteers. She comforts the children by playing games, reading stories, and just spending time with them.

"It's so rewarding to know that you can give people a little relief even if it's only for a few hours," said Snyder, who has been with the program for over 10 years. "I went through the flood of 1993 so I can relate to what they are going through."

Volunteers like Snyder have been offering child care assistance to parents and children during local and national disasters since Children's Disaster Services was founded in 1980.

At a time in her life when many people would be slowing down, the Iowa resident says she has a lot more help to give. "As long as I can get around, I'll keep volunteering."

6/25/2008 Newsline Extra