BRIDGE CITY — Leigh and Misty Phillips live on Roundbunch Road in Bridge City. The mother and daughter, along with Leigh’s husband have been trying to get flood damaged items out of their home since Hurricane Ike left two feet of floodwater in their home. They were hardly putting a dent into the effort, particularly since they began working again leaving precious little time to bring the debris to the roadside.

That was before a work crew from Channel 12 News came to their home Sunday as part of Mid-County Kindness.

“I thank the Lord for them coming out here,” Leigh said. “They’re a God-send; we really needed it,” Misty said.

Kevin Steele with the television station said they began the day at 9:30 a.m. and cleaned out three or four houses.

Hurricane Ike dealt a powerful storm surge to Bridge City. A more powerful surge of kindness was given to the city by its neighbors.

The communities of Nederland, Groves, Port Neches, and countless others came to storm-devastated Bridge City in a mammoth effort to help those who needed help with their homes following the Mid-County Madness football game.

Pastor Joe Worley of First Baptist Church of Groves thanked local media for getting the word out about the event in a “major way.”

“It was unbelievable. We had thousands show up. We had over 200 teams sign up. I thank the Lord,” he said.

Organizer Les Hayhurst said the response was overwhelming and he was “flabbergasted.” Some teams were signing up until midnight Saturday night. Some teams told him they were coming back next weekend to help.

Bridge City Mayor Kirk Roccaforte called his neighbors’ response as “overwhelming” and “a wonderful thing,” and he can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“Our citizens opened their homes and their hearts to them and we’re so appreciative. I just can’t put it into words,” Roccaforte said. “This will make a big difference. We’re now on the top of the hill and we’re going down to the other side. I’m grateful to the surrounding communities who put this together.

“It’s amazing and this is Southeast Texas at its finest. That’s why it’s so great to live here and why the hurricane is not going to drive me off.”

Bob Parks of Southside Baptist Church in Port Neches number one team said they spent all six hours at a home on Circle Drive, stripping it down so it would be ready to rebuild. Many of the teenage boys in the group said how much fun it was playing demolition crew and the house owners really appreciated their efforts.

Mayor Glenn Johnson of Port Neches said this was the right thing to do.

“We live in our political spheres, our political worlds and this shows us to throw down the boundaries in Southeast Texas and break down the barriers. This (Mid-County Kindness) touched a lot of lives. Some teams have 47 people on it. Some homeowners may be sick or elderly and are unable to touch their houses for whatever reason and these crews have been cleaning out and working diligently.”