WavelandRelief

Blog Index

2009-09-23T17:12:00.000-04:00

Items in RED are NEW
Items in GREEN are UPDATED

Waveland Relief Sister Sites
Katrina Networking Site
Hancock County Agency Information
Pearlington
BayStLouis
Gulf Coast Artist Relief Blog
Gulf Coast Emergency Services Relief Blog
Real People Relief

Volunteer Information
For Agencies and Organizations
For Non-Profits and Municipalities
Assistance For Schools
Grants for Non-Profits
Grants For Communities
Citizen Action Team
Community Gardens Effort
City Action Partnership
Gulf Coast Civic Works Project - please support
MS United Methodist Disaster Response
UMCOR Response
Safety Guidelines For Volunteers

For Individuals
Resource Pages
Grandfamily/Single Parent Resources
Family Resources
Medical Resources
LA Family Resources
Education Assistance
Businesses
Mortgage Resources
Furniture and More
Home/Utility
Elderly
Resources for Children/Childcare
Disabled
Grants for Individuals - does not include homeowner or repair grants
Dental

Waveland City
Waveland Families on Real People Relief
Waveland Animal Shelter
Waveland Police Department

Children
Bay Waveland Schools
Website To Help Schools

Places to Volunteer
Volunteer Index Of Many Organizations Working in Hancock County
The Giving Circle - Please Read Update 9/23/08
Wayland to Waveland
Karing
Bucksmont Katrina Project
Eight Days of Hope
Katrina's Angels
His Hands and Feet
Relief Kitchen/Community Center
Impact Ministries
Community Collaborations
Ken Tenn
HANDS
Waveland Baptist Disaster Response

Helping Without Going Down

Books on Hurricane Recovery

2009-02-13T10:55:00.001-05:00

As I have time, I'll be posting more links to books regarding the rebuilding of Pearlington, Waveland, Bay St Louis, Kiln and the rest Hancock County. If you know of any, please let me know.

I've long held I wouldn't advertise anything that was a for-profit endeavor, but I think at this point, they need to be shown in an effort to prove rebuilding has yet to be complete.

The first is Pat Holt's Rebuilding Pearlington. She's a lady from basically all over the nation, having served in the military and after retiring, took up photography. I wish her memoir included many more of her photographs, but perhaps she is working on a separate book for those.

I do have a few others, which will be posted in the appropriate blog, and then all will be collected on the KatrinaNetworking blog

The Giving Circle - In NY

2008-09-23T19:05:00.000-04:00

http://www.thegivingcircle.org/

9/23/08 - I'll not delete their information from my blog, but I am also no longer advocating working with them. They have gone back on their word to assist families at least twice - with this last retraction occuring with 3 separate families. These two incidents have occured in the last year alone, so am unsure how many others there may be.

Saratoga Mardi Gras

2008-09-22T21:21:00.000-04:00

I'm pretty sure they're 518.
David Keehn, 587-8014
Ray Simboli 399 9401
Frenchy Loeb 461-4893
Ron Deutsch 469-6769

Please Read Update from 9/23/08

Project Mommy 101

2007-10-09T17:43:00.000-04:00

10/9 Update

Hi Leslie,
The Mommy 101 Shower was in May and it was a great success. We had 85 moms or moms-to-be come and receive a large number of beautiful gifts.
We plan to do it again in the spring. I'll keep you informed.
Thanks for caring and all your support.
We have some moms that we are still helping.
I just got an email from a young lady that has a 9 month old and is expecting in Dec.
If you have contacts that might want to adopt this family and help them, please let me know.

Betty

3/28 Update
Just an update to our project that will be held April 14th "Mommy 101". Tasia is a wonderful person and is working very hard to make this project a success. The bad thing is, we're not getting a great response. Attached is Tasia's update. If you know someone that would like to help or help with the list of needed things, please let me know. We only have 3 weeks left and I think so far we have around 40 to 50 names. You all know the week of the event you get loaded with new names. We learned that one from last Christmas.

As always, "Thank you" for being by our sides.

Thanks again,

“MOMMY 101”
A Community Project Hancock County, MS

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tasia Poyadou of Waveland, MS. I am the current Miss Mississippi Teen. I attend the University of Southern Mississippi on a Presidential Scholarship while majoring in Biological Sciences.

My hometown of Waveland, Mississippi was one of the hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. Many may think that enough time has passed that life is back to normal, but that is far from being accurate. Many families are still in FEMA trailers; many are still awaiting the possibility of one day receiving insurance payments, while those that had no insurance continue to wait for grant monies. And, of course, there are those who do not know where they will go next.

I am currently involved in a community project called “MOMMY 101” which is a countywide baby shower and educational tool for new or expectant mothers. It will also provide support and give them the opportunity to gather amongst themselves. These ladies are facing motherhood while at the same time living through one of the toughest times of their lives. “MOMMY 101” will provide baby clothes, diapers, wipes, high chairs, etc. (as well as provide) the opportunity to learn from local OB/Gyns and other support agencies, such as “Family First Resource Center”, and Mississippi State University Extension Service, ways in which to handle the stress of their day-to-day life during this time of recovery. Unfortunately some of the effects of Hurricane Katrina our community are higher rates of domestic disturbances, child neglect, depression and suicide. Hopefully we can relieve some of the stress with this project.

It is my wish and prayer that we can count on you for a donation of baby items or a monetary donation that we could use to make “MOMMY 101” a great success. “MOMMY 101” is scheduled for April 14th, 2007. We would hope to have all donated items and monetary donations in hand by March 30th to allow for time to prepare.

You may contact Betty Robinson, Public Relations for the City of Waveland, at
(228) 467-3425, or by her email address at brcitymail@yahoo.com for any additional information you may need such as tax deduction donation information.

Thank you for your time and I hope you will participate in this wonderful day for the new mothers of our community. The lessons and gifts they will receive will surely last for a lifetime.

Sincerely,
Tasia Poyadou
Miss Mississippi Teen
C/O City of Waveland
335 Coleman Ave. #8
Waveland, MS 39576

BBC Article

2007-02-17T10:05:00.000-05:00

Storm victims feel anger, neglect
By Michaela Graichen BBC News, Waveland, Mississippi

One year after Hurricane Katrina, many people in the small Mississippi town of Waveland feel cheated. Others feel neglected.

Brian Mollere fled his home as it collapsed
Cheated because insurance companies have only paid out for wind damage, not water damage.

Neglected because New Orleans, about 60 miles (100km) away, continues to dominate media attention.

Some hurricane survivors in Waveland say the famous city known as the Big Easy has also been given more recovery money from the federal government.

The people of Waveland lived through a catastrophic event.

Locals say winds of 140 mph (225 km/h) battered the seaside town, sending a 35-foot (10.5-metre) surge of water up the main street.

Businesses and homes were wiped out. A huge pile of debris collected next to the oak tree near the town's railway tracks.

Death in the family

Brian Mollere, 50, was being tossed around in the flood waters with his overweight Chihuahua Rocky tucked under his arm.

The water swept Brian into tree tops and ripped off his shorts and shoes.

"All the buildings behind me were just collapsing, collapsing, collapsing", he said.

Brian has lived in Waveland his whole life - in fact, he has lived in the same street his whole life.

That is, if you can call his present state "living".

Like most of Waveland's residents, he sleeps in a small trailer, or caravan, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fema.

Brian is not bitter. He is not even angry that he had no insurance and lost three houses in the storm.

He is grieving the loss of his 80-year-old mother in the hurricane.

Wind or water?

Brian's sister-in-law Barbara Mollere lives down the road and she is finding life in her government-provided trailer increasingly tough.

Many Waveland residents now live in Fema trailers
Barbara shares the trailer with her husband Philip and their 25-year-old handicapped daughter, Mimi.

When I met them, Mimi was sitting in a chair watching television.

There was barely room to pass as I took my seat.

Barbara is one of many Waveland residents who feels angry at America's insurance companies.

She says she insured her property for $89,000 (£47,000) and was paid only $10,000 (£5,270).

That was for the wind damage. The company did not pay for water damage.

Julie Rochman of the American Insurance Association says that is normal.

Private insurance companies never cover for flood, she says.

Ms Rochman says she feels sorry for people who have lost everything, but argues that they should read their insurance policies properly.

'Olden days'

None of that helps Barbara, who probably faces the next year in her Fema trailer.

She spends most of the day inside with the air conditioner humming overhead.

It is usually too hot to cook indoors and she does the family's washing outside.

She says it feels like "the olden days".

Barbara does not know when she will be able to leave.

Her house is basically a shell and the family does not have enough money to rebuild yet.

Nor do they have enough money to move away.

Getting 'out of the house'

At the end of Barbara's street, the Mississippi Sound shines silver in the summer sun.

Dressed only in shorts held up by braces, 75-year-old John McCain is fishing with four rods.

He has been fishing for more than 50 years and likes eating the deep sea red fish he catches there.

Mr McCain loves the water and escapes his trailer as often as he can to "get out of the house".

It is a poignant expression because John McCain doesn't have a house.

Few people in Waveland do.

Those who have stayed behind after Hurricane Katrina have done so for two main reasons - because they love their home town and want to help rebuild it or because they simply cannot afford to move away.

Audit Wanted

2007-01-04T17:47:00.000-05:00

Waveland Mayor Back Peddling
Waveland ControversyWaveland Mayor Tries to Distance Himself from Story on Donation Investigation Says Sun Herald Story on Donation Incorrect, Denies Sending Employees
by Keith Burton and Mark Proulx - GulfCoastNews.com Filed 1/19/07
A story published January 17 in the Sun Herald newspaper has all ofWaveland talking. The city's mayor is backtracking on his comments of aninvestigation over the handling of donations the city has received, aswell as Waveland city employees being used in an improper effort toobtain records.
This article can be found in full at this Link:http://www.gulfcoastnews.com/WavelandControversy.htm
At the end of the article is a taped interview with the Mayor.

Waveland aldermen to ask for audit
Aid donations, federal money at issue
By RYAN LaFONTAINE
rlafontaine@sunherald.com
WAVELAND - Alderman Charles Piazza wants the state to pick through Waveland's finances with a pair of tweezers and a magnifying glass, but not everyone agrees that's such a good idea, at least not yet.
Piazza, who returned to the Ward 4 seat in November after four years away from politics, asked the board Tuesday to support his push for an audit, which was not on the official agenda.
First-term Alderwoman Lili Stahler suggested the board wait until the second session later this month and a workshop planned this weekend before officially drafting such a request.
Stahler recommended delaying a decision until city leaders can hear from bookkeepers and donation watchers at Saturday's workshop.
"If that's what (Stahler) wants then that's fine with me," Piazza said. "With her being new and me being back, I can understand her wanting to learn as much as possible, but I still think the board should have passed the motion for an audit (Tuesday) night."
Piazza said he has no reason to suspect financial practices by anyone at City Hall and he wants a review only because "several residents" have questioned him about the money.
He said having the State Auditor's Office examine the city's bankroll and use of Katrina-relief donations is a prudent way to find out.
"I want the state to come in and look at our books," Piazza said. "There's a lot of federal money that's come through Waveland and people are asking questions; they're not seeing results and they want to know where all the money is going."
Mayor Tommy Longo said he welcomed any inspection and that Piazza didn't need to launch intimidating hints to get it done.
"I welcome that," Longo said. "And, you don't need to threaten anyone to do it."
"If I was threatening someone, he would have known it," Piazza said.

Photos End December

2007-01-02T21:26:00.000-05:00

A marsh with a car still in it. I guess items are still floating up on the beaches as well.

The Turtle - good local eatery that was working out of a tent for a long time.

Debris is still hanging from the floor supports.

Presbyterian Volunteer Village - we have these 'tents' on pallets here (Broome County) for flood relief.

More remains waiting for help

Progress

Bay Waveland Merger Shelved

2006-12-12T16:57:00.000-05:00

Bay St. Louis-Waveland merger study shelved
Financial outlooks still grim
By RYAN LaFONTAINE
rlafontaine@sunherald.com

HANCOCK COUNTY - Researchers have stopped work on a study of the potential benefits of merging Bay St. Louis and Waveland into one city, according to the government think tank overseeing the survey.

The two cities began discussing a merger sometime last year, after Katrina annihilated most of their taxable incomes and infrastructure.

Although the merger review has been shelved, a report released last week shows just how dismal the financial outlooks really were, and still are, for Bay St. Louis and Waveland.

"We have suspended the (merger) study and it was what we thought would be best for the two cities at this point," said Marty Wiseman, who runs the Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University, which launched the study in March.
Katrina washed or blew away nearly 65 percent of homes countywide and with them went the governments' property-tax revenues. The casino and other giant retailers that had generated so much of the sales tax used to form the cities' operating budgets are slowly returning.

When revenue streams turned into trickles last year, Coast leaders were left to find money to rebuild infrastructure- sewerage, roads and public buildings - and create competitive salaries for the staff needed to maintain city services, all while funding their daily operations.

"To the outside observer having two municipalities wiped off the map presents an opportunity that the cities may not have otherwise, but to the citizens in those cities, (talk of a merger) would present a very chaotic situation that they just don't need right now," Wiseman said.

Why stop?

Several elements contributed to the study's suspension: Researchers believed data collection was getting in the way of storm recovery and trying to engage locals consumed with repairing their own lives into a government-merger discussion would be difficult.

The two cities recently settled an annexation dispute, adding hundreds of new properties that won't appear on tax rolls until next year, which Wiseman said "drastically changes the property-tax dynamic."

Also, Waveland was in the midst of a sizzling election to decide who would lead the city for the next four years, but Wiseman is quick to say the decision to stop the research was made only by the Stennis Institute.

"I want to make it clear that we were not asked by Mayor Tommy Longo nor Mayor Eddie Favre to stop the study," he said. "We made that decision ourselves."
But had a completed study been published around election time suggesting a merger was the only means of ensuring survival, it would have instantly created the single largest campaign issue.

Waveland candidates mostly debated issues of future development, building codes, money spending and transparency at City Hall, but top government experts
advocating an all-out merger with the Bay would have spawned where-do-you-stand questions no candidate could have avoided.

"We certainly didn't want to influence anyone's campaign whatsoever," Wiseman said.

At one point last year, Bay St. Louis and Hancock County leaders sounded as if their governments were lashed to the railroad tracks, counting down the days, hours and minutes to unavoidable insolvency. Local leaders have since received some federal and state backing to barely stay afloat.

But though the Bay, Hancock and other Coast governments were spreading a dark message of despair and pleading for help - mainly financial - from anyone who would listen, political leaders in Waveland continued to portray an almost-thriving city that was leading the storm-recovery race with its deep pockets.

Longo was criticized by some of his opponents for being out of touch with the fiscal realities of post-Katrina government.

To his credit, the city did have a $3 million cash reserve to live on after the storm, but Longo bashers have said with an annual budget more than double the reserve, that money ran out long ago.

Despite Longo winning last week's mayoral election, a study favoring a merger for the betterment of the two cities could still shove the mayor into a corner.

According to state law, the mayor of the largest municipality, based on population, would become the mayor of the newly formed city, which means Longo would likely have to walk away from a seven-year career at Waveland's City Hall.
'Struggling to survive'

According to a 70-page report published last week by the Stennis Institute, Waveland and Bay St. Louis are still "struggling to survive."

The report is part of a three-year study by the Stennis Institute and New York's Rockefeller Institute to determine Katrina's effect on Coast governments and their budgets.

The initial report from interviews with local leaders shows sales taxes in Bay St. Louis dropping from about $1.5 million to about $400,000, property taxes being cut in half and the city's annual budget sliced by nearly 80 percent of its pre-storm level.
Most of Waveland's $6.5 million budget was supported through sales taxes, which the report says are staggering back to their pre-storm level.

From July 2005 to the same time in 2006, Bay St. Louis lost $349,279 of its state sales-tax transfers, and Waveland saw a 30 percent drop, losing $678,281.
Gulfport, by contrast a much larger municipality, saw a 39 percent drop in diverted sales tax that accounted for more than a $7 million loss.

A lot of the financial bleeding on the Coast has been slowed by state and federal grants, private donations and loans.

The Bay has borrowed nearly $8 million since the storm and has applied for an additional $10 million to cover operating and recovery costs. City leaders are hopeful most of the loans will be "forgiven" or turned into grants.

Wiseman, who is expected to soon discuss potential cityhood with community leaders in Diamondhead, said he expects to restart the Bay-Waveland merger study within the next 12 months or "when the time is right."

His Hands and Feet Org

2006-12-09T17:35:00.000-05:00

From Janet
Volunteers Boost His Hands and Feet Effort In Waveland, MS
December 1, 2006 For some living in our area, the holidays may never be the same after Hurricane Katrina hit a little over a year ago. Since then, News Channel 9 has followed the Katrina relief of two Collegedale, Tennessee based families who now live in Waveland, Mississippi.
The construction centered ministry His Hands and Feet says our stories attracted people from here to drive south and help. This morning, ministry co-founder Todd Johnson drove back into town and gave an update on Collegedale Christian radio station WSMC. His Hands and Feet has expanded to 17 people. During Thanksgiving, a wave of college students pitched in to get the volunteer camp up and running. From there, volunteers help storm ravaged homeowners rebuild their houses. His Hands and Feet members work for free but accept what they call God directed donations. Johnson explains what drives them. "
Jesus said 'When I come back, will Ieven find faith?' It's like, whoa, he wasn't talking to the world, he was talking to his own people."
The families first thought they would be in Waveland four to six weeks. They've been there for almost 15 months.

Furniture Enroute

2006-12-09T17:18:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, November 29, 2006 7:47 PM CST KEARNEY, Neb. -
A member of a Kearney church is trying to help residents of a Mississippi town who "are in desperate need of everything."
Theresa Hemenway, who attends the First Baptist Church in Kearney, has organized a furniture drive for the people of Waveland, Miss. They are still recovering from nature's assault by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.
"I see the need. It's just total destruction down there," said Hemenway, who traveled to Waveland with five other members of her congregation earlier this month. They helped with reconstruction and a Thanksgiving dinner and returned to Kearney on Saturday.
New and used furniture is being sought, she said, including beds, couches, tables and chairs, mattresses, lamps and lamp stands. The residents also could use towels, rugs and bedding but are not ready for appliances such as refrigerators and stoves.
Donations were being taken at Kearney Moving Services, and Atlas Van Lines will take the items to Waveland at the end of next month.
The city of 6,674 sits on the Gulf coast about 35 miles east of New Orleans.
Katrina all but wiped Waveland off the map, and state officials said the city took a harder hit from the wind and water than any other town along the coast.
"It will never be back to normal there," Hemenway said. "It will be different, but they will come back."
Don't forget them down there," she said. "They are in desperate need of everything."
Information from: Kearney Hub, http://www.kearneyhub.com/

Family Injured in Trailer Fire

2006-12-09T09:33:00.000-05:00

Baby injured in FEMA trailer fire
By MICHAEL A. BELL
mbell@sunherald.com
HANCOCK COUNTY - A 13-month-old baby remains hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns, and his parents were also injured after fire erupted inside a FEMA trailer Thursday night, the Hancock County Sheriffs Department said.
The 10:30 p.m. fire at Oakwell trailer park burned 30 percent of Landon Rayburn's body. The baby had to be airlifted to a hospital in Baton Rouge. Hancock County chief investigator Kenny Hurt said he was told by the Department of Human Services that the child was in stable condition.
Mother Dana William, 21, was being treated for burns to her abdomen and both legs at a hospital also in Baton Rouge, Hurt said. The status of the father, Beau Rayburn, 26, is not known; he had been discharged from Memorial Hospital in Gulfport.
The home is off Highway 90, just west of Waveland.
Authorities hope an ongoing investigation between the sheriff's department and the state and local fire marshals will determine how the fire started.
"It was an accident. I don't think there was anybody intended to do anything to these people," Hurt said. "But it shouldn't have happened."

PLEASE review the following articles:
http://katrinanetworking.blogspot.com/2006/12/fire-safety-articles.html

Waveland Eatery Robbed

2006-12-05T12:38:00.000-05:00

Armed robber holds up Waveland restaurant
By RYAN LaFONTAINE
rlafontaine@sunherald.com
WAVELAND - Police here say a man waited around until closing time Sunday night at S&B's Restaurant, then leaped over the bar wielding a semi-automatic handgun and demanded "all the money."
The owner of the neighborhood restaurant on Sears Avenue told police the man threatened to kill him and tried to wrestle him into the bathroom. The robber held the gun to the restaurant owner's head, and later hit him with it.
In a written release Monday, investigators said they are looking for a black man, 20 to 25 years old, with short, cropped hair and puffy cheeks.
Police said the robber was wearing a blue and white jacket with a red shirt. He fled in a silver or gray car - possibly a Ford Crown Victoria - with tinted windows and chrome wheels.

Trees To Be Removed

2006-11-24T22:06:00.000-05:00

Posted on Fri, Nov. 24, 2006
UPDATE Phase 1: Remove 8,000 fallen trees
By RYAN LaFONTAINE
WAVELAND - Workers are removing thousands of fallen trees from Buccaneer State Park in the first phase of a $14 million restoration project.
Buccaneer, one of the most visited among the state's 24 parks, was obliterated by Hurricane Katrina.
Contract workers will spend the next few months removing nearly 8,000 dead or dying trees. Most of the reconstruction should be complete in about two years, but park officials have not yet established a target date for a total reopening.
Named for the pirates who used the area as a retreat in the 1700s, Buccaneer featured acres of campgrounds and outdoor recreation, including a Frisbee golf course and a five-acre water park, Buccaneer Bay.
Preliminary studies on the massive wave pool, built in 1978, show the pool's concrete shell is structurally sound and can be saved.
The park restoration is planned in three phases and rebuilding the campground, bathrooms and pavilions is the state's first objective.
"We are not at a point yet where we can say what the new designs will look like," director Stu Rayburn said. "But the plan right now is to rebuild everything that was here before the storm."
Once the trees are removed, the state will begin rebuilding the park's infrastructure, offices and bathrooms to allow the campground to reopen.
The second phase will be rebuilding a camp store and activity building in the northern part of Buccaneer and bathrooms and showers at the water park.
The third phase will focus on the water park, repairing the wave pool and rebuilding a splash pool, children's pool, slides and pavilions.
Mark Beason, a spokesman for the state Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, said the park could likely reopen in parts once each phase is completed.
"We hope to have at least the campground area open sometime in 2007," he said. "We are trying to get everything operational as fast as we can, but something of this magnitude takes time."

Amish In Waveland

2006-11-23T13:02:00.000-05:00

As I arrive near the appointed dinner hour, I see Dan and other men gathered outside the makeshift dining hall/common room. As guests arrive, they personally extend a hand in welcome, inviting the visitors to join them for the evening meal and fellowship.Inside a line has already formed down two sides of a long table filled with food. Other tables extend the length of the large room, people filling the benches, conversing, and sharing the meal. Women in white bonnets, and simple, handmade dresses covered with aprons, hurry about, refilling bowls and replenishing dinnerware.
Since a week after the storm more than 1,000 volunteers have come from Amish communities centered around Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to offer their skills and their fellowship to Hancock County.Coffee and an array of deserts fill another table. The meal itself may consist of meat loaf, meatballs, or other main dishes, both potatoes and egg noodles with cheese, and salad. Despite the large amount of desserts and two starchy dishes, none of our hosts appear to be overweight.
That could be because of all the exercise that these Amish volunteers get every day, helping to rebuild house after house, some from the ground up. They do not have to wait for heavy equipment or special tools. They accomplish their tasks as they would do at home, by cooperation and hard work. They work cheerfully and respectfully, sharing the true meaning of Christianity through their actions every day.
For the past several weeks I have had the good fortune to spend a small, but precious amount of time with the three groups who have passed through the base camp set up for volunteers in Waveland. They come to Hancock County through the Community Aid Relief Effort (C.A.R.E.), a nonprofit group formed after Katrina, in the Amish community centered in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The more than 1,000 volunteers who have come to the coast since the first week after the storm, come from throughout the Amish/Mennonite community.
An average of 50 volunteers of all ages make the long journey back and forth each week, with a few staying behind to coordinate relief efforts. The group has made a long-term commitment to help, likely five years or more. It is a big step outside the tightly-knit community life that most of the volunteers are used to, where houses are lit by lamplight and travel is by horse and buggy. Because the Amish do not drive, they travel here by train or bus or hitch a ride with a kindly soul heading this way.
Dan and his wife of 17 years Ruth, have been here for a good deal of the time since April. The couple will go home this week to spend time with family, attend a special wedding, and resume the running of their construction business. This is a busy time back home, the traditional time for weddings, held either on a Tuesday or a Thursday, all day affairs, with two large meals served to an average of 300 to 400 guests. Instead of a honeymoon, new couples will spend the days after the wedding helping the bride's parents clean up after the celebration. The bride will wear a dark colored dress and a white apron and the groom will wear a black suit.They likely met in the same way as Dan and Ruth, years ago, through the youth group activities sponsored by their communities. The couple came to the area for the first time in January, their first time as volunteers.
"As we traveled the streets it gave us a hopeless feeling," said Ruth. "So the need brought us back."
"It is," Dan says simply. "The plan God has for us."
The experience has been 100 percent positive, Dan says, and both he and Ruth are torn between their need to return home and their need to stay and help. They have grown close to many people in the area.
"The southern hospitality is awesome," says Ruth. "It is such a reward to see the smiles and gratitude-it means so much."
Once a week, the group holds a community social, the dinner, and afterward, what is called sharing, followed by hymn singing, a favorite social activity in their own communities. By the time the crowd finishes dinner, a hum of conversation is underway throughout the hall.
In these conversations I learn that these humble people have a very simple outlook on life. They school their children in small private schools through the eighth grade and then train them in a vocation. Each child is bi-lingual, speaking both Pennsylvania Dutch in the home and English at school.
Though they carry on the traditions of those who have come before them, each is different in the way he or she chooses to honor those traditions. Most of the Amish traditions are meant to keep life centered on family and community, Dan says, but the way the individual interprets those traditions is more of a matter of the heart. Their culture teaches self-sufficiency, and living a life that glorifies God, but like us all, each person I speak with stresses, they are just people, with many of the same struggles we all face.
"Some homes are more spiritual than others," says one young mother. "Some marriages happier."
But for the most part, the Amish community stays close. Divorce is virtually non-existent and children rarely follow another path, evident in the growing number of Amish. To remain is a clear decision, with Baptism into the church taking place after the age of 16 years. Once a member, young men's names join a lottery. Ministers are chosen by lottery, rather than a call to serve, and those chosen serve for life.
It is time for the sharing. To gain everyone's attention, Dan, who leads the sharing, flicks the electric light, a luxury not available at home. Conversations quiet and the crowd of volunteers and visitors take their places back at the tables. Dan speaks a little about the day's work and opens the floor for anyone who wishes to tell a story, give thanks, or share in some other way. In a minute, someone stands and begins to tell a story, likely about their experience during and after Katrina, ending with a thanks to the volunteers. A volunteer stands and gives thanks to the outpouring of sympathy and help given after the tragic shooting at the Nickel Mines school. Another marvels at the positive attitude among the locals they have met. No matter how small the sharing, it is treasured, given undivided attention, and followed by applause throughout the room. Sharing ends when everyone who wishes to speak has, at 9 p.m. or later, then an hour of hymn singing begins.
The next day it is business as usual, with Dan dispensing work crews of men dressed in black pants, suspenders and colorful shirts, those married sporting a beard, those not, clean shaven.
The women, if not needed on the work site, remain behind to the tasks of cleaning, laundry, and preparing the noon meal. A woman may help her husband with his business, like Ruth, or even take an outside job such as cleaning a home, but for the most part, where families are large and chores are numerous, there is little time for such pursuits, another young mother says. She makes all the clothes for each of her seven children, her husband, and herself, as most Amish women do, and with the additional work of keeping a home and a farm, life is busy.

Flu Shot Schedule

2006-11-14T21:56:00.000-05:00

Dates and times for flu shots - November Schedule:

November 17 Prime Outlet Mall, South Side

November 20 Big Lots, Pass Road

November 21 Steinmart, Pass Road

November 27 Academy Sports, Highway 49

November 28 Americans Thrift Store, Pass Road

these shots are free - the times are from 8:30AM till Noon and 1:00PM till 3:30 PM

Look for the HCA Van - Memorial Hospital at Gulfport

Adult Screenings Offered:

Cholesterol
Blood Pressure
Glucose(for those adults who have fasted)
Adult screening are offered once a month for Foot Sensation and Stroke screening

IMMUNIZATIONS FOR CHILDREN UP TO AND INCLUDING AGE 18:

DTP
Hepatitis B
Hib
MMR
Polio
Meningitis
Varicella*
Pediatric DT
Influenza (seasonal)
Prevnar
Tetanus

* We administer the Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine at the hospital due to the necessity of refrigeration limitations.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

228-867-4246
228-867-5210

Thanks
Dianna
Case Coordinator
HCLTRC

New Site Being Established

2006-10-18T11:04:00.000-04:00

1/4 9 from Hancock County, 6 from Waveland

Waveland
Terry and Hamilton
http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2007/01/terry-g.html
Schonda and Family
http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/11/schonda-s.html
Richard and Barb
http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/10/richard-and-barb_28.html
Robb and Rod
http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/10/robb-and-rod.html
Debbie and Family
http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/11/debbie.html
Lee Ann and Family
http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/11/lee-ann-m.html

Questionnaire For Inclusion On Real People Relief

Information Posted on Your Page
Name: - I would like first and last, but please note what you feel comfortable having posted for all to see.

Email: - only contact information public will have about you. You will decide if you want them to know your full information by emailing them.

Location: - where you were; where you are; where you plan to be in a year.

Number in Household: - Please include pets. First names, sex and age of each person.

Situation: – brief paragraph of what you’ve been through, who you’ve applied for help with, what has happened in the last year.

Current Living Arrangements: - FEMA Trailer, Apartment, House, Tent?

Help: - what help, if any, have you received thus far?

Photos: - Up to current photos – can be rotated through as new images are sent.

Needs: Please list preferences; if you’re going to want, you might as well want what you want! Below are examples and in the categories to be listed under.
Foods – non-perishable only
Paper Products – Napkins, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, etc.
School Supplies – notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, etc.
Computer Supplies – paper, ink (give specific cartridges)
Clothing – list sizes and style color preference
Cleaning Supplies – Windex, Dishwashing liquid, Laundry detergent, etc.
Household Supplies – light bulbs, kitchen supplies (pans, pots, etc.)
Stores you shop at – for possible gift cards or gift registry

Information Not Posted
Full Name
Mailing Address
Phone Number

What I Need from you
Twice monthly updates: - The more often I can update your information, the more frequently your information will be reviewed. People view blogs like an ongoing story. They get hooked on new little tidbits. If I don’t receive regular updates, the information will be pulled after 8 weeks.

Debris Bidding War

2006-10-13T10:08:00.000-04:00

Waveland might switch debris firms
Bay, Hancock paying $6 less per cubic yard
By RYAN LaFONTAINE
rlafontaine@sunherald.com
WAVELAND - City leaders here say they want to save a bunch of money on debris removal by switching to Yates.
Waveland hired TCB Construction to handle what's left of the city's Katrina debris just after the storm.
Some city aldermen are less than pleased with TCB's unit price proposal of nearly $18 per cubic yard, compared to a price Hancock County and Bay St. Louis are getting. Aldermen are pushing the city to shop around.
Mayor Tommy Longo said in recent meetings that if a joint contract with the county and the Bay turned out to be cheaper, he would support dumping the city's current deal and attempt to join the Hancock-Bay project.
The Hancock Board of Supervisors awarded a contract Monday to Yates Construction based on the firm's unit-price proposal of about $12 per cubic yard to finish cleaning the county and Bay St. Louis. The job could cost the county nearly $6 less per cubic yard than Waveland.
"The mayor has said all along that TCB was cheap and they were putting local people to work and that's fine," said Alderman Brian Schmitt. "Then he says that TCB was right on the money, but that if the county bids came in cheaper, we would piggyback on their contract and all that sounded good to me."
Waveland hired TCB after Katrina to clean debris north of the CSX railroad tracks. The city recently extended that deal to include areas south of the tracks, without publicly soliciting bid proposals from other companies.
"Does TCB still look cheap compared to what the county is getting? Heck no," Schmitt said. "If we can't get in on the county's contract, then we need to advertise for bids again."
Schmitt said he called City Hall and requested space on next week's agenda so the board could revisit TCB's contract "as soon as I found out about the county's deal."
Since the storm, Waveland has removed more than 2 million cubic yards of debris and Longo said he supports Schmitt's plan to revisit the contract, but the city should not stop progress while looking for a better deal.
"We will almost certainly advertise for new bids if we can't get in with the county's contract," Longo said. "The only reason we haven't yet is because we had an existing contract that allowed us to continue working and we didn't want to stop cleaning debris for six months in Waveland."
Because of its private contract, Waveland has been able to continue its debris removal. Work essentially was stopped in the county and the Bay since the Corps of Engineers pulled out earlier this year.
The federal government funded 100 percent of the debris removal until June 30. Since then, local and state governments have been responsible for 10 percent of the cost and the federal government is funding the rest.

Lot Buying Troubles

2006-10-02T22:57:00.000-04:00

10/19
Habitat permits denied Charity abandons plans to build in city
By RYAN LaFONTAINE
rlafontaine@sunherald.com

WAVELAND - City leaders denied several special permits Monday, prompting the world's largest charity homebuilder to abandon plans to construct new houses for more than 70 local families.
The Board of Aldermen supported a recommendation from city planners to deny special permits that would have allowed Habitat for Humanity to build nearly 20 new homes on lots that are smaller than the city's code requires.
Habitat, which is building thousands of houses along the Gulf Coast, was planning to build at least 70 new homes in Waveland, where more than 200 families remain on a waiting list.
Instead, Habitat will finish up work on "two or three" homes for families who already own property large enough to meet the city's standards. After that, the group will look elsewhere.
"We'll find places to build, but it won't be in Waveland," said Wendy McDonald, who runs the Hancock County chapter of Habitat. "We will focus the bulk of our energy on communities that are more receptive to smaller-sized lots."
McDonald has said large lots are more expensive, which drives the mortgage payments out of reach for most Habitat homeowners.
In addition, she said many who qualify for Habitat homes are senior citizens and single moms who would have trouble caring for a large lot.
"I'm not so sure any affordable housing builder can afford to build on larger lots; the math just doesn't work," McDonald said. "There's no consideration for affordable housing in Waveland and that's where the housing shortage is the most severe."
The 20 lots that were denied are in the predominantly black neighborhood of Middletown, but Alderman Brian Schmitt said most of the resistance came from residents living in different parts of the city.
"The opposition wasn't just from Middletown, it was from everywhere," Schmitt said. "People don't want smaller lots and that's what the ordinance is there for."
Schmitt, who represents parts of Middletown, said he wrestled with the decision for weeks, and casting a vote that could prevent construction of dozens of homes can make it tough to sleep at night.
"Having to make that decision killed me," he said. "I went home and cried like a baby."
Since March, aldermen have approved several recommendations from city planners allowing special permits similar to the requests they denied from Habitat.
One property owner was allowed to divide his property into eight lots, each seven feet smaller than the city's code requires, and another homeowner was allowed to divide one lot into two, one of which did not meet the city's square-footage requirement.
However, Schmitt said, none of those requests caused nearly the kind of fuss that surrounded Habitat's plan.
He said such large-scale development on small lots could jeopardize property values for existing homeowners, and homes built close together could create dangerous fire hazards.

Emailed to me - Originally from the Sun Herald

By RYAN LaFONTAINE
rlafontaine@sunherald.com

WAVELAND - Mayor Tommy Longo is urging city leaders to work with the world's largest charity homebuilder to find a solution to the town's housing crisis.
"There's a desperate need for housing in this town," Longo said. "All of us need to do whatever we can to get our people back in houses and bring them back home."
The Hancock chapter of Habitat for Humanity hopes to build about 70 new homes in Waveland as part of a plan launched last year to build "thousands and thousands" of homes along the storm-pelted Gulf Coast, from Texas to Alabama.
Although they have approved special permits for 10 new home sites, the Waveland Planning Commission has twice denied Habitat projects in recent weeks.
Habitat is looking to build homes on lots smaller than what the city code allows, which requires the group to get a special permit before building.
Wendy McDonald, who runs the Habitat office in Hancock, said the group has little choice but to build on smaller properties.
"Land costs here is what's driving our push for smaller lots," she said. "Without smaller lots its almost impossible for us to build a house that's affordable."
McDonald said the average cost of a Habitat home on the Coast is about $25,000 more than the same house in Jackson, because of soaring land values. In addition, she said many who qualify for a Habitat home are older residents and single moms who would find it hard to care for a large lot.
"The planning commission is not going to approve undersized housing in an existing subdivision, not in Waveland, Bay St. Louis or any other place," Longo said. "But we do need to work together with them to make sure that their plans fit the look of the neighborhoods they are going into, and if not, then we need to find someplace in the city that does fit."
Last week, Habitat asked the commission to approve a special permit that would allow the group to build six houses near Herlihy Street on lots that do not meet the city's 75-foot-wide requirement. Four of the lots are 70 feet wide and two are 62 feet wide.
The commission approved four of the six, but because one seller owns all of the lots, it would hardly be lucrative for Habitat to purchase six and only build on four.
It took just two Middle Town residents voicing opposition to sway the commission's vote. One lady said the Habitat homes would attract drugs and traffic to the neighborhood.
"We don't need no more houses over here," she told the Sun Herald. "If people want to build their own houses let them, but Habitat wants to build all these houses."
Opponents often appear before an elected board to voice their laments about an issue that's being decided on and sometimes the vocal group prevails.
But this week in Waveland, there were just two voices of opposition. Longo agreed that in recent months it seems a few voices of opposition have been loud enough to influence crucial decisions over the "silent majority."
He said it's happening on many governing boards throughout the county and he urged elected leaders to stand up and do what's best for the people they serve.
"It's been like that since the storm, on every single issue," he said. "One person, or two people, will be a very vocal minority and sway a decision on a project that the silent majority is in favor of, and a lot of the time, that project would've benefited most of the people in the city."
Longo said City Hall has received dozens of phone calls from Middle Town residents supporting the Habitat projects, since last week's refusal.
Besides the phone number to City Hall and photos of themselves, contact information for the Board of Aldermen is not on the city's Web site and finding a still-working home number in a post-Katrina telephone book has been hit and miss. The planning commissioners are not listed on the city's Web site.
"Even if there's not an opposite opinion at a meeting or no one has called (the commission) to speak up, the board still should vote on what they feel is best for the people in their city," McDonald said. "And, if denying those houses is what the community really wanted, then that's fine."
Habitat plans to appeal the commission's decision Tuesday to the Board of Aldermen and the group has two other projects to propose, but after that, McDonald said, the group will be out of potential home sites.
"It's seems that both sides need to be a bit more flexible and understanding of the need," Longo said. "There is a huge need for housing in this city and we need to do whatever it takes to get people back home."

Story of a Volunteer Who Moved to Waveland

2006-09-08T21:42:00.000-04:00

Illinois Woman Dedicates Her Life to Helping Katrina Victims

Aug 29, 2006 07:02 PM CDT

Hurricane Katrina destroyed homes and tore apart live. One year later, the road to recover is still a long one.More than 35 thousand volunteers from a round the nation came to the coast's aid after the storm. In Waveland , Mississippi you'll find a volunteer from Illinois who has dedicated her life to helping Katrina victims.After seeing pictures of what the deadly hurricane did to Mississippi Johnson was convinced she had to go to the coast.
"I saw there was a compelling need to assist," said Johnson.
She loaded up her truck with supplies and headed to Mississippi .
"I was overwhelmed. People didn't know what to do," said Johnson.
She only planned to stay for two weeks, but that planed changed quickly. She went back home to Illinois packed up her possessions and moved to Waveland , Mississippi .
"I am a carpenter by trade. I have something that is gravely needed here. That is a skill," said Johnson.
She now works free of charge as a volunteer coordinator. She helped complete strangers rebuild their homes. Folks like Earl Booth.
"She's in the field breaking her back helping us renew our lives," said Booth.
She helped the Booth's rebuild their home piece by piece. "I thought about tearing it down. She said we can make something cute. I laughed but she was right," said Booth.
Johnson said through her work, she wants to help people.
"I found this quote in New Orleans . It said 'sorry looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks forward.' This house was built on faith," said Johnson.
Johnson estimates she's helped 500 people get back in their homes. She says that's only a small number of the people who need help.
She expects to remain in Waveland, at least for another two years.

Reporter: Sally Pitts

City Action Partnership

2006-09-08T21:33:00.000-04:00

3/1 - This post will be removed in by April 1 (no joke). Please reset your bookmarks to the following link instead:
http://katrinanetworking.blogspot.com/2006/11/city-action-partnership.html

Ooo - been awhile. 3/1 Update on their webpage! http://www.capisdowntown.com/march2007.html
11/20
HOLIDAY COLLECTION CAMPAIGN: We will be collecting food (canned meat, veggies and fruit, and grains) to send to the Angie Free Clinic in LA for the holidays. (see below for more info). These boxes will go to the elderly.
We will also be collecting Children's & Teen's underwear for Metairie, LA and to support our CAP officer, Bobby Jernigan, who is in Africa. Bobby's unit has adopted a children's orphanage and asked if we could help. LET'S SHOW HIM WE ARE BEHIND HIM!
9 pallets were sent down to Waveland via the "Ghost". 3-1/2 pallets of pet food collected by Ashley Robbins (yeah Ashley!!), 2 pallets of Tupperware containers, 1 pallet of baby formula, 1-1/2 pallets of new flip flops, 1 stove and fan donated by Linda and Roger James. SPRINGER EQUIPMENT really came to our rescue with very short notice and provided a forklift (see picture below). They are this month's heroes!
Five boxes of test strips were shipped out to Common Ground, NOLA; St. Andrews Family Community Center, McComb, MS; Excelth Family Health Center, NOLA; and Algiers Health Clinic, NOLA.
BAYER CO. shipped supplies for another 500 diabetic kits and volunteers from HandsOnBirmingham and Americorps Corps put together half of the them and the AWARE Club of Vestavia High School came and finished the job! Thank yall so much!
Dr. Webster from Mobile picked up 99 kits for the Ozanam Charitable Pharmacy in Mobile. We are working on transport for the rest (10 clinics have requested kits at this time). Thanks Doc!
Becky picked up 3 car loads of baby formula from the Post Office and has them pretty much ready to ship. UAB delievered another van full of supplies. Go UAB!!! Thanks so much.
Big thanks to John for cleaning up the warehouse.
Jefferson Community Clinic asked for help and I am happy to report a bevy of activity from the urgent call email sent out on their behalf. Here's what happened.
* Ozanam Charitable Pharmacy didn't have requested meds, but is inventorying what they have that they can share. Preliminary list was put out in an email sent to all registered users of the Relief Database.
*MS Univ. Medical Center offered Albuterol and some other meds.
*HANDS offered to pick up the meds and ship them directly to Jefferson Clinic. HANDS also delivered meds to several other clinics from what they picked up from MS Univ. Med. Center.
*Direct Relief International contacted us to offer beta blockers. This was a new contact for us. Guess that means their grapevine is working pretty good. :-)
*The good folks at Loudoun Group in Virginia are sending 4 boxes of supplies too!
Direct Relief notified us of a clinic they were unable to help as they did not yet have their 501c3 status. This little community clinic is really struggling to keep open. We have been putting together some supplies we got from UAB for them, got them on the database and best of all, were able to direct the remaining supplies at the Pass Christian Clinic (which closed last month) to them. This little community is about 30 miles south of Tylertown, MS and hasn't gotten much help. This is where the food boxes will go for the holidays.
11/3 Med Relief Update
Dear Friends and Volunteers:

We just got in a load of diabetic supplies and need help making the kits. Please give us a call if you would like to come down to the warehouse for an hour or two. We are happy to work with groups of kids as well (as long as you provide some help with supervision). :-)

Check out the October UPDATE (with pictures) if you haven't already at http://www.capisdowntown.com/updates.html

Here's a little update of what went on with the clinics in the gulf after a recent call for some help with beta blockers (heart meds) and inhalers:

I am happy to report a bevy of activity from the urgent call email sent out on behalf of Jefferson Community Healthcare Clinic. Here's what happened.
* Ozanam Charitable Pharmacy didn't have requested meds, but is inventorying what they have that they can share. Preliminary list was put out in an email sent to all registered users of the Relief Database. If you did not get that email, please get in touch with me so I can walk you through getting registered and get the info to you. You can register without even having a facility record.
*MS Univ. Medical Center offered Albuterol and some other meds (list was included in above referenced email).
*HANDS offered to pick up the meds and ship them directly to Jefferson Clinic.
*Direct Relief International contacted us to offer beta blockers. This was a new contact for us. Guess that means their grapevine is working pretty good. :-)
*The good folks at Loudoun Group in Virginia are sending 4 boxes of supplies too!

Thank you for your support!
Laura
10/24 Exerpts from the Update on their website
My sincerest thanks to you all!! In addition to being able to send out four packages, Janet Raines and I (both FOOTMAD dancers) made a trip to Waveland and New Orleans. Here is what we did.
Waveland, MS—Kathleen Johnson hosted a workshop and I presented my first power point presentation on how to use the Citizen Action Team (CAT) Relief Database to about 6 guinea pigs. Representatives from clinics, Salvation Army, and churches were present and appreciative! We spent the night at a church volunteer camp.
BTW- the van broke down about 20 minutes outside of Waveland. Janet stayed with the van to wait for AAA (what a great travel partner she turned out to be!) and I got a ride from a nice man who went way out of his way to drop me off at city hall in Waveland. The next day, Betty who works at City Hall woke her son and asked for the keys to his Yukon so we could continue on to NOLA as planned. “You’re giving my car to complete strangers --to go to New Orleans-- overnight!” he exclaimed. Her reply, “they aren’t strangers, they’re volunteers” and off we went.
We spent another night in Waveland and basically killed time waiting for the van to be fixed at Wavefest. Oh yeah, I borrowed another vehicle to take a volunteer to the airport in Gulfport and ran out of gas on I-10 (my bad- I was told to get gas, but forgot). No worries, it was a truck and had a gas can in the back with enough to get me to the next exit.
Kits (24) were left in Waveland for St. Andrews Mission Clinic in McComb, MS to pick up and 2 small boxes of med. Supplies and (18) kits were left for Volunteers of America clinic in Gulfport.
The van’s transmission died the day after we got back from our trip. We will try to sell it to get back the money we put into it in Waveland. It was a wonderful tool for us-- hauling stuff to and from the warehouse and made several trips to the coast with supplies.
Thank you again, Frank Waddell of Charleston, SC, for this kind donation!

10/17
From Kathleen Johnson
There were 9 pallets delivered via the ghost to Waveland from CAPS in Birmingham. I had them unloaded at Home Depot as I could not find another forklift in town at that hour. What a shame that I had to browse the tool section prior to the semi arriving. *G* Dog food, cat food (probably intended for Suzie Polard), new flip flops, light fixtures, glassware, and I am totally unsure of what is in the rest. But it is packed and wrapped securely on pallets.I need to get it picked up tomorrow - I told them 9.30am or so when I get out of the radio station. I will get it loaded onto the blue trailer and up to you sometime tomorrow.
Just another wild day in Hancock County *G

Introduction
When Hurricane Katrina hit the coast, CAP (City Action Partnership) mobilized to coordinate donations for evacuees at the Civic Center. With the tremendous outpouring from the Birmingham community, CAP began coordinating shipments to the coastal areas. We continue to be a link between the Birmingham Community and the coastal relief effort and have become part of the nationwide grassroots relief effort.

Needs
Thanks to the generous donations and volunteers in our community, we've been able to make a difference to many people who have lost so much. However, trips to the coastal areas have shown us that because of the enormity of the affected area, progress has been very slow along the coast. At this time, we will take any kind of household item as long as it is in good shape and working order so keep us in mind when you redo something in your house. For instance, we recently shipped to Waveland three used toilets! Windows and doors seem to be big on the wish lists as well.

We are collecting to ship:
Bandaids
Chapstick
Rolaids or Tums (please buy the rolls)
Sun Screen
Bug SprayAnti-biotic ointment
Bottled water (see May Update)
Cat and Dog food
Pet Flea Control Products
Ocean Spray Saline Nose Spray (Urgent request from Vol. of America Free Clinic)
Spanish/English Dictionary (Urgent request from Vol. of America Free Clinic)

What’s needed at the CAP Warehouse:
Hand Truck
Large rolls of packing tape
Bottled water for workers
Money for shipping and gas
Tax deductible contributions can be made to:
ONB/Katrina
c/o City Action Partnership
1801Third Ave.
N.Birmingham, AL 35203

Tax deductible contributions can be made to:
ONB/Katrina
c/o City Action Partnership
1801Third Ave.
N.Birmingham, AL 35203

If you want to volunteer
Call Laura 205-288-1317

We are looking for:
Volunteers to put diabetic test supplies into kits for shipping.
Volunteers who are heading to the Gulf (even if you only have room for 1 box) and can take supplies down.
Volunteers with computer internet access and unlimited long distance who can help keep in contact with Medical Clinics we are serving on the coast.
Volunteers who would like to head up a project.
Volunteer Doctors and Nurses: We are compiling a list of doctors and nurse practitioners who might be available to work in a clinic in a disaster area on very short notice. I can guarantee you that this is a most rewarding experience. Please email capbham@aol.com if you would like to be on this list.
We are in touch with MANY organizations and people working in disaster relief. If you would like to volunteer on the Gulf please feel free to contact us.
We are most grateful to the many volunteers who have helped us accomplish so much! Please visit our “Community Support” page.
A special thanks to Becky Davis (aka “Grandma”) and her friends for keeping the warehouse going all this time!

CAP Hurricane Relief Update - September 3, 2006

Wow, things are really zooming along here. Andre Natta from Main Street Birmingham did something really unique. He threw himself a birthday party and asked his guests to donate to CAP's hurricane relief effort. He looked on our web site http://www.capisdowntown.com/ and gave his guests a list of items we were asking for. It was a very successful and fun party! We got only items we asked for AND $200.00!!! Imagine how excited we were! Most of this will be spent responding to urgent pleas for medical supplies.
I'd like to raise the bar here. What if everyone who has a birthday in Sept. did the same thing? Maybe we could get a radio (would like someone to suggest a station) to announce those participating. Here's why. Remember long-term volunteer Kathleen Johnson? We sent her a laptop computer, an air conditioner and 3 toilets and a lawnmower for the city. She has helped over 500 people get back into their homes and now she has access to a warehouse! Free Haul in Arizona can get us a load of culled lumber (approx. $40,000 worth of wood) for shipping costs--approximately $2400 last time I checked. Kathleen has salvaged everything she possibly can to come up with lumber to help the very poor and elderly in Waveland and I'd sure like to send her a load of wood. I also think if we can pull this off, other community's will do it to and we can finally start moving the loads of lumber that have been just waiting for shipping around the country.
HOW ABOUT IT BIRMINGHAM?! Let me hear from you!

You can see Kathleen on a piece that Channel 12 in Montgomery did on the link below. In case the time on the link has run out, I have included the article from the story at the bottom of this email.
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?s=5342187

Other news: We get to take something off of our list!! Jeff, a member of Mt. Top Community Church has donated a cell phone and monthly plan to Becky, our volunteer warehouse manager. Thanks Jeff!!
Dr. Wally Retan brought in some sample meds in response to an urgent call from the free clinic in D'Iberville. Way to go doc!
Mike McCormick brought over 1500 flip flops from his mission group and the our friend Leslie with Citizen Action Team Database is finding out where to send them. Becky and Birmingham 's homeless have been boxing them up for us.:-)
Last Thursday's Birmingham Weekly had a great article on us (page 21).
If you haven't explored our new web site, ya gotta see it. http://www.capisdowntown.com/. It's loaded with information on Hurricane Relief activities and CAP services (including the Hand to Hand Resource Guide for the Homeless). Jimsey with Magic City Moments really did a great job.
Thanks for all of your support!
Laura

Laura Katz Parenteau
Admin. Assist./Disaster Relief Coord.
City Action Partnership (CAP)
1801 Third Ave. North Birmingham, AL 35203
205-251-0111 office
Email: capbham@aol.com
www.capisdowntown.com

Christian and Missionary Alliance

2006-08-05T08:56:00.000-04:00

We are an Alliance of evangelical believers, joined together in local churches, dedicated to fulfilling the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ. We maintain a "big tent" stance in reference to many doctrinal matters, encouraging believers of diverse backgrounds and theological traditions to unite in an alliance to know and exalt Jesus Christ and to complete His Commission.

It’s a boy! No, it’s a girl! No it’s both! Well what is it? It is a church plant! Camp Katrina has given birth after nine months of intense labor to a new church. On July 1, Camp Katrina will be turned over to Christian Life Center (CLC), a ministry of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in the Southern District.
What a transformation! Pastor Rick of Christian Life Church (non-C&MA) and I decided that it was time to see a church started from our early Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. We have been praying and seeking God for the right pastoral couple to take this ministry to a church-plant level for several months. Every time we thought we had a couple, something would change in the last minute, and we would be a ground zero again.
As we continued to pray, it became evident that the C&MA has been a prominent partner in helping us get the needed relief to so many people in Waveland, Mississippi. Over half of the volunteers that come weekly, are from Alliance churches throughout the United States. More than $300,000 has been donated from C&MA sources. The current leadership team of Art and Pat Baruffi, along with Shannon Lenox, are all Alliance people. So it became evident to us that God was leading us to turn over the leadership and coordination of Camp Katrina and this new church plant to the C&MA.
The Baruffis have been ministering to about sixty people for the past several months. They still have 400 projects that need to be completed and from those, many more people will come to the Lord. They are expecting twenty kids at the three-day VBS on site.
Art and Pat are scheduled to stay through August and are seeking God about living her for another two years in order to help plant this new church. Shannon Lenox has been asked to stay to coordinate the volunteers that will be needed to continue the ministry. Pastor Rick and I will be available as coaches and mentors as needed. We do not want to walk away from this new birth. We will be aggressively seeking funds to keep the ministry going. It will take at least $12,000 per month to operate. So please PRAY with us as we seek God for the financial needs.
Since we are changing leadership from Gulf Coast Disaster Relief to the Christian Life Center, we are asking that all volunteers coming to serve be prepared to help with the daily expenses of operations. It is for this reason that, beginning July 1, all volunteers will be asked to bring $25.00 per day, per person to help with the expenses. This will cover their room and board as well as help with operating costs.
Many of you know Meg Wilson. She has done a tremendous job coordinating the volunteers. She has been on staff at Christian Life Church. She will be moving to Auburn, Alabama to take another ministry position in media. Meg has turned over the volunteers to Shannon Lenox, and he can be reached at the same address, CampKatrina @gmail.com. We at Gulf Coast Disaster Relief are so grateful to Meg for her sacrifice of love. Pray for her during these days of transition.
With the changing of the guard at Camp Katrina, we will focus our efforts on getting ready for the next storm. We are building a large warehouse in Orange Beach that will store our equipment and tents. Thanks to you, we have come along way from a back yard grill and a tarp. Pastor Rick and I have come to the conclusion that we are better equipped to be a first-response team rather than a stay-a-year-long team. We want to come alongside churches and help them to respond to their local needs. So we continue to prepare for the next crisis. We realize that Waveland was different. After the terrible storm, there were no churches able to do the work of the church. So we responded and became the Church in action. Now God is raising up a church, and others that we have helped are now strong enough to continue on. What a blessing!
What can you do? Glad you asked! Here are a few things:
• Pray for the transition between Gulf Coast Disaster Relief and the Christian Life Center of the C&MA.
• Pray for the needed volunteers to do the continued relief ministry of rebuilding homes and lives. We need fifty volunteers per week. Pray for Shannon Lenox as he takes over this ministry.
• Pray that God will provide the needed funds, $12,000 per month to cover operating expenses.
• Pray for Art and Pat Baruffi as they seek God about continued ministry as lead pastor of this new work.
• Pray for Pastor Rick and Pastor Don as they prepare for the next storm or crisis.
• Pray for the 400 families that have applied for help from Camp Katrina. These families represent a tremendous opportunity to serve a broken community and share Christ.
Until we get a bank account set up under the name of Christian Life Center, please continue to send any gifts to Gulf Coast Disaster Relief c/o Genesis Church, 3100 S. McKenzie St. Foley, Alabama 36535
I can never thank you all enough for all that you have done in helping the many thousands in Waveland. What a blessing you have been to them. Eternity will tell the whole story, but we see the many chapters daily. Without you, little would have been accomplished. With you great things God has done!
Thank you.
Pastor Don Genesis Church, Foley Alabama

Mayor Longo Thanks Hoosiers

2006-08-01T10:49:00.000-04:00

11/8 Longo Wins Primary
He'll face two challengers
By RYAN LaFONTAINE
rlafontaine@sunherald.com
WAVELAND - There was no need for expensive, touch-screen voting machines here Tuesday.
Instead, Democratic voters used paper ballots in the primary election to give incumbent Mayor Tommy Longo the party's support in the Dec. 5 general election for the city's top office.
"I'm very humbled and appreciative for the vote of confidence from the citizens," Longo said. "We've made positive strides (in Katrina recovery) every day and together we are going to see this thing through."
According to complete but unofficial returns from Tuesday's primary, Longo won the party's backing with 51 percent of the vote, beating former alderman Milton Bernard, who garnered 30 percent, and Joan Coleman, who scooped up 18 percent.
In an election filled with uncertainty over voter turnout and how post-Katrina voters would react at the polls, Longo said election night was hardly a walk in the park, especially since he had little time to campaign.
"Every election is tough," he said. "The opponents were all good people, but unfortunately this is not the opportune time to hold an election, because we go to work again early tomorrow morning rebuilding Waveland."
For the most part, the mayor's camp broke up about a half-hour after the tally was announced. There were no late-night victory celebrations.
After visiting with reporters and thanking a few of his closest supporters, Longo and his wife and children headed home.
He was scheduled to be awake shortly after sunrise this morning and on a plane to Washington, where he will lobby for additional funding for AmeriCorps, a group knee-deep in recovery in Waveland and dozens of other towns in the storm zone.
There's hardly time for door-knocking and cold-calling to drum up support for the Dec. 5 general election, Longo said, because most of his schedule is filled with recovery work.
But the mayor said he would welcome a debate or community forums with the two mayoral challengers, Republican Craig Cameron and independent Santo Saucier.
"I would love to do that," Longo said. "As soon as I get back from Washington, let's have a debate."
Cameron, who hopes to become only the second Republican to hold the city's top office, won the GOP nomination with 62 percent of the vote over William "Wild Bill" LaPrine.
Though Cameron's 62 percent may seem like substantial support heading into the general election, the total number of Republican voters Tuesday was far less than half of the Democratic turnout.
Just 210 Republicans voted for mayor, while nearly 1,000 Democrats cast ballots in the party's primary. Currently, Democrats control every political office in the city.

Found on Gulf Coast News and WishTV
Video also on http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5215140&nav=0Ra7
It was called one of the worst natural disasters in America's history. Hurricane Katrina devastated countless communities.
Saturday night, the mayor of Waveland, Mississippi was in Boone County to say "thank you" to a group of Hoosiers who helped them pick up the pieces.
Dozens of folks who either live in Waveland or have been there to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina swapped stories Saturday night.
"Our old downtown, where our historic city hall was built in 1877, every building in our old downtown was destroyed," Tommy Longo, mayor of Waveland, said.
Longo said help from folks in Hendricks and Boone counties gave them hope.
"For somebody that's 1400 miles away and doesn't know a person down there they just knew these were fellow Americans that got hit with the worst natural disaster in the history of America and we need to get down there and see what we can do to help," Longo said.
He said when folks back in Waveland talk about the disaster relief group from Lebanon and Brownsburg, they do so with a smile.
"It's a tremendous uplifting feeling. We've got an affectionate term for them, it's the boys from Indiana are here," Longo said.
"On a small level I think we did help and it's Americans helping Americans," retired Brownsburg police chief Dave Galloway said.
Galloway was one of the men who organized the relief group. "We ended up, we made four trips where we had people go down and help people at Waveland, Mississippi."
"Our entire town, 95 percent of our structures were substantially destroyed so to have these men with heavy equipment that knew what they were doing was just an unbelievably uplifting experience," Longo said.
Mayor Longo said they still have an overwhelming amount of work that needs to be done.
The group from Hendricks and Boone counties says they plan to go back.

Waveland Annexes Land

2006-07-22T18:09:00.000-04:00

11/2
Annexation excludes vote
Residents can't vote in primary
By RYAN LaFONTAINE
rlafontaine@sunherald.com
WAVELAND - Newly annexed residents here will not have a say in Tuesday's party primaries for mayor and aldermen, according to a letter Wednesday from the Justice Department.
However, voters who register to vote before 5 p.m. on Monday will be allowed to vote for mayor and aldermen in the Dec. 5 general election.
The city had been awaiting an official decision from the federal government for several weeks on whether nearly 1,000 residents would be included in next week's vote.
The residents officially became Waveland citizens in July when the city settled an annexation dispute with neighboring Bay St. Louis in a deal that gave Waveland a stretch of land along the western right of way of Mississippi 603.
According to federal legislation adopted in the 1960s, the Justice Department must review changes in ballot procedures, voting districts and other electoral rules in several states - mostly in the South - to ensure that minorities maintain influence in elections.
In the settlement, Bay St. Louis took a massive slice of land between the highway and the Jourdan River, stretching north to Interstate 10.
Many residents on both sides of the highway were anti-annexation, and some believe Waveland purposely delayed a federal decision to eliminate the disgruntled new voters from this year's election.
Earlier this year, Waveland attorney Zach Butterworth said the city was hoping to have a decision at least 30 days before the party primaries, which would have given the new residents time to become registered voters.
On Wednesday, Butterworth dismissed claims of malice and said federal approval simply took longer than the city first thought.
GOP mayoral candidate Craig Cameron, who is looking to make history by becoming the city's first black mayor and just the second Republican ever to hold the city's top office, said a chunk of new votes made available days before the election could muddy the campaign for any candidate.
"I have no way of knowing whether anything was done to purposely exclude them," Cameron said. "Having new voters at the last minute could complicate things for all the candidates, but I am very sympathetic to (the new residents') concerns."
Mayor Tommy Longo said the court denied a request last year from Waveland, asking to postpone an annexation decision until the two cities could recover from Hurricane Katrina.
"There wasn't much we could do," Longo said. "The annexed land was handed to us, and we asked to get a decision on the new voters as quickly as we could, but we were at the mercy of the federal government."

Waveland may need fifth ward
By DWAYNE BREMERJul 22, 2006, 18:10
With less than five months before Waveland's municipal election, the question of how the Katrina ravaged city will provide representation to the residents in more than two square miles of annex land is a unique challenge facing city leaders.Wednesday evening, Ward Four Alderman Santo Saucier asked Mayor Tommy Longo if the city is actively working on the issue."
We have been talking to the justice department to find out the quickest and easiest way to do it," he said. "I really want to have representation for these people as soon as possible. I would like to have something in place for this year's election."
He said the board could choose to add another alderman and redistrict or enlarge current district boundaries, but no matter which direction the city chooses to go, it must meet justice department requirements. He did admit the redistricting process may not be completed until after this year's election.
One of the duties the justice department will have to perform is to ensure no gerrymandering occurs. Gerrymandering is a term used to describe when boundaries are formed which give a specific advantage or disadvantage to one candidate, political party, or minority group. According to the Mississippi Code of 1972, Section 21-3-7-d, "if annexation of territory into the municipal limits shall occur less than six months prior to the first primary of a general election, the council shall by ordinance assign such annexed territory to an adjacent ward or wards so as to maintain as nearly as possible substantial equality of population between wards.
"Currently, the city operates under a mayor-alderman system of government. The city has four aldermen. In any form of municipal government, Mississippi statute allows the mayor may cast the deciding vote if there is tie.
According to city Attorney Zach Butterworth, the charter for the city of Waveland was adopted in 1888. At the time of the adoption, the city only had two aldermen some time later, the number was amended to four, he said.
Mayoral candidate Milton Bernard claims state statute calls for municipalities having 10,000 or less residents to have five aldermen and the form of local government has no influence over the state statute. Longo contends it is the board of aldermen's decision on whether to have a fifth member because the city's charter was adopted in 1888 and the code charter system, to which Bernard refers was adopted in 1942.
The city of Bay St.Louis is under the mayor-council form of government. It stipulates five council members with four wards and a councilman-at-large.Bay St. Louis faces the same challenge Waveland does in finding representation for its newly-annexed area; however, the Bay St. Louis elections are three years away.
Mayor Eddie Favre said Thursday the city is also considering redistricting or possibly adding additional wards.

From A Waveland Citizen

2006-07-19T16:37:00.000-04:00

Just a little about me.
I am one from of the few families that can say they have been in Waveland all their life. My family is one of the few first classes at St Clare School.

I was 10 years old when Camille came through, even went to school in tents after one. Anyway, that was 30 some years ago and still every time you smell pine trees being cut and the noise of chains saws you think of Camille.

Can you imagine what the 10 year olds will be thinking in 30 years from now? I can write for days about things around here after the 1st few weeks of Katrina, but you know, I think we all need to talk about the wonderful people that has come to our sides and all the new friends that we now have and what wonderful things that happen since that B------ has torn our town down.

Sure, there are still many issues around that need to be dealt with. Emotions, Depression and Lord here we are again in storm season.

I am lucky! I had only 4 feet of water in my house. The rest of my sisters had a lot more than me. One of my sisters had 8 1/2 feet and had paid her last house note. Now that's lucky.

TT

Recover Vital Records

2006-07-01T21:22:00.000-04:00

http://www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/PublicSafety/Hurricane_Katrina_Recovery/Vital_Docs.shtml

This site has for citizens, businesses, not-for-profits and Federal employees

It have links and directions to replace your:

Bank Records
Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates
Damaged Money
Driver's License and Vehicle Registry
Civilian Personnel Records
Immigration Documents
Has a medical information form
Medicare Card Replacement
Military Service Records
Passport
Savings Bonds
SS Card
Tax Returns

There is a phone directory if you'd rather do this by phone and a FAQ sheet.

Please Check it out

Impact Ministries

2006-06-24T17:37:00.000-04:00

IMPACT Ministries 375 Robinson Rd Mooresville, NC 28117 704-507-6579
info@citiimpact.org

12/9 CHRISTMAS in the GULF COAST REGION

Writing to you, I am renewed in my inner being of the vast greatness of the Lord our God.
His mercies truly are new every morning. He is long-suffering and through Jesus full of grace and truth. Let the whole earth sing His praises. Join with us in the Spirit of our Lord and lift Jesus up high during this season in our hearts, our homes, our churches, our communities and across the face of this earth. Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

The Christmas season in the Gulf Region will see thousands of children and their families being ministered to with compassion, counseling, prayers, Bibles, food, and toys.
The various Kingdom strategic partners with IMPACT will be providing these ministries in various sites in Mississippi and Louisiana. Toy for Tots has again generously asked us to serve as a primary distribution agency for their benevolence. We shall do more than just give out toys, though. We are providing a direct pathway to the Hope of the Ages, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords....JESUS. We also have implemented follow-up systems to track the families served with and through various churches.

We'll give you some results of this around the end of this month. Pray with us for the Lord to continue to show HIMSELF mighty and faithful, the Holy One of Israel.

Strategic Partner Progress

Lake Charles, Louisiana Volunteer Center for IMPACT
This is the location one of our newest volunteer center. We are able to house up to 200 people at a time in teams. We provide hot meals, showers, and laundry is available. The strategic partnership there includes local and national ministries and churches. With needs assessments in place, and project coordinators leading work assignments we are able to give teams meaningful experiences as they serve a 5 county (parish) area. There are thousands of people living in FEMA parks, and sub-standard housing. MOST of them have no or little resources to rebuild their lives, much less their houses. We, together, offer them Hope from the giver of all HOPE.

H & R Block Referral Program - Supports IMPACT
Posted to our web site will be link for information, and a download form. This form when filled out and taken to YOUR local H & R Block Income Tax Office for them to do your taxes, will result in IMPACT receiving a $25.00 donation. To qualify the taxpayers only restriction is that the taxpayer did NOT have their taxes prepared by H & R Block for 2005. Please forward this information to everyone you know. This will be an easy way to support the ministry while getting your taxes done!
We'll send some more information on this to you soon, or email us with your questions.

Hancock County, MS- A new Volunteer Center for IMPACT
Announcing the opening of a volunteer center for IMPACT Teams in Hancock County, MS; near Bay St. Louis, Waveland and Pearlington. The site has showers, bunks, a kitchen and convenient access to work sites. Teams serving here have good projects to work on for construction. The needs are assessed and verified and the resources gathered to build and do major repair on 64 houses before July 2007.
Come serve with us!

K-LIFE FM radio,
Christian radio from San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara,, California
Watch for the link on our site to listen to music online from this great Christian radio partner from California. Even as I write this, the founders, Dan and Karen Lemburg, are serving with us in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana.
Listen for IMPACT updates there and encouraging information about the Kingdom of God.
In the meantime, you can sign in to listen by clicking here:
K-LIFE FM :: Music :: Listen Online Now!
http://klife.org/music/listen.html

11/24 Impact Ministries Has a Blog for Monthly updates -http://www.citiimpact.blogspot.com/

Friends,

Our family started a new Holiday tradition three years ago. We decided to forego the traditional Christmas letter and instead do a Thanksgiving letter in which we each share the things for which we are thankful. We then have asked friends to mail back the enclosed leaf after writing on it what they are thankful for. We read each leaf with the kids and pray for the family who sent it. The leaves then go on our “Tree of Thanks” to make a beautiful visual reminder of friends and gratitude. Unfortunately, time got away from me this year. Yet, this is the year that we have perhaps learned the most about giving Thanks, not taking things for granted, and appreciating the small things. Although you are not receiving this in the mailbox this year, – we ask that you would still participate with us.

Most of you know that we have been doing disaster relief since Katrina hit fifteen months ago. For those of you who have not been to the Gulf Coast, I cannot adequately describe the suffering that still exists. So many of the modern day conveniences that we have grown to believe are essentials are now nonexistent for these folks. Things such as a warm shower in the morning or a comfortable bed at night are no longer guarantees. Electricity was just restored to most places in St Bernard Parish this August.

Imagine living in a tin box (FEMA trailer) in 99 degree temperatures and no air conditioning. Still both water and electricity are undependable at best. Everyone has to go to the Laundromat. People with doctorate degrees are forced to get food from our distribution tents because their jobs and savings are gone. Nothing is familiar anymore. The storm took it all: landmarks, historical sites, places of worship, grocery stores, schools, neighborhoods, and even neighbors.

As a mother, the most heart wrenching losses are the things that you can’t ever replace: the family photos that have chronicled weddings, births and birthdays, first days of school and simply days when laughter, smiles, and fun were natural. Then there are the piles of artwork made special for mommy with love, usually drawings of their houses and happy family. Now, the children have no place to play. If they get to draw it is often of the wind and flood and the nightmares that won’t end.

Families are cramped together. Few children have their own bed, let alone their own rooms or toys. Everyone knew someone who died and many saw the dead bodies of their friends, family, and neighbors piled in the high school gym as they waited for the waters to recede. It is no wonder that suicide, , divorce, and drug and alcohol abuse are near epidemic.

Yes, this disaster has brought out the worst in some. There are those who have taken advantage of the generosity and kindness of others. Yet, there are many that when they gather with their family this Thanksgiving, they will say, “Thanks”. They are grateful for the thousands who have come to help, with whom some now share life long friendships. They are thankful for their new sense of empathy and an awareness of what is truly important in life and for life itself. They are grateful for the things that no wind can blow away and no flood can drown.

These are amazing people, whose faith has stood. JD and I have had so many tell us, “Thank-you”. Yet, we do not at all feel deserving. First of all, all thanks goes to God for everything comes from Him. Second, we are honored, humbled, and so very thankful to have been able to walk this journey with them and with all who have come to help. We have seen The Church of America unite together like no other time in history. We have met some modern day heroes of Faith as well as some everyday humble folks, who have blessed us more than we could ever bless them.

Those like Nolan and Denise who lost their home, yet were more worried about their neighbors than themselves. Those like Wilbur and Steve who lost their wives yet still find the strength to go on. Those like Alva, Greg, Gabe, Vicky, and Jen who have chosen to live without toilets for more than a year so they could help those with no choice. Those like Sue, Kathy, John and Sandy, and James and Mary who completely uprooted and are willing to live there for as long as is needed. Those with the “Aloha” spirit in Hawaii who just keep on giving. Those who knew God called them to come to help and we saw their Faith soar as He provided. Those like Pastor Randy who drove 90 minutes twice a day for a year to help his community rebuild. Those like Lynn and Russell who despite all kept their dignity. Those who risked their own lives in the flood to save others. Those like Charlie who find no value in the things of this world but just in relationship with others. Those like the sweet little boy at Christmas, who didn’t want anything for himself, just a bike for a family friend so he could get to work. We give thanks for each of them and the countless others who left imprints on our hearts that will last forever.

LITTLE THINGS

Dear Heavenly Father, as I thank You this day
And, humbly, I bow my head to pray
I really must think of Katrina, recanted
And all that, before then, I took for granted
At the end of August, two-thousand and five
The winds and rain, they came alive
Seawater swelled, and it seethed, and roared
Devouring all, with such greedy hoard
And there, in a flash, the world, it was changed
All that we knew was to be rearranged
Lord, We fled in a panic for our very lives
Separated husbands, children, and wives
The winds grew quiet and the water calmed down
Revealing stagnant death that once was our town
Strangers gathered to help us regroup
With love, giving blankets, supplies, and warm soup
At first we were numb, Lord, as we fled to the shelter
When reality struck, it was just helter-skelter
Huddled there with the lost, the sick, and some dying
Kids were screaming, adults were stunned or crying
Before Katrina, Father, I remember the days
With accessible schools, with sports and school plays
Little things in our lives that are now gone for good
A pile of debris where our house once stood
And, no more green grass, where our children once played
Or, pictures, when Grandma and Grandpa once stayed
No mementos to hold, except in our mind
Nothing of Momma’s or Dad’s was I able to find
Lord, please forgive me because I didn’t know
The riches, upon me, you thought to bestow
Little things like a place just to cut my hair
And, a peaceful night’s sleep, without the nightmare
Days where the children don’t fear wind and rain
When loss was much smaller, not connected with pain
I’m sorry I never said thanks for toilets that flush,
Safe water to drink, and my own toothbrush
I see people scurry with cell phones, acting nervous
What a blessing it was to have basic phone service
I never imagined the long lines for groceries and supplies
Or, the unsanitary conditions that burn our eyes
Though I thanked You for food, and that we were able,
I never said thanks, Lord, for us to all sit at the same table
Some day, I pray, that again I can provide
For my family who still stand close by my side
And, Lord though it’s hard to depend upon others
We might not have made it without loving sisters and brothers.
Lord, your work here is not done, for some it’s just started
So please bless the people who still give, open hearted!
Amen
By: Vicky Robbins, 2006

Instead of a leaf on our “Tree of Thanks”, we would like your help this year to grow a whole “Forest of Giving”. Please talk with your family about the “little things” in your lives that you may take for granted but couldn’t imagine living without. Then if you could write it down either as a prayer or as an encouragement to those who have done without this year we will deliver them this Holiday season. In addition, if you are able to include a monetary donation or gift card (Walmart, Home Depot, or Gas cards) we will purchase a supply of these “little things” to give to those in need. If you want to specify what you would like it to be spent on we will honor that the best we can (i.e. toys for kids, ornaments, family photos, construction materials, food, water, etc). For more information on specific needs you can visit our website. Please feel free to pass this on to anyone else that you think would like to participate in the “Forest of Giving”.

May we never again grow complacent about the common, but instead rejoice in the luxury that “little things” bring.

With Thanksgiving,

The Smith Family
JD, Toni, Caleb, and Abigail

IMPACT Ministries
www.citiIMPACT.org
375 Robinson Rd
Mooresville, NC 28117

11/11
hey Leslie,
Hope this is a little encouraging to you.
We shipped 800 frozen turkeys today to 4 places in Mississippi and Louisiana. They will be put together with all the fix-ins and delivered to those in various "food deserts" in those two states. It certainly is not enough to cover everyone, but it will help the ONES it does get.
Be blessed as you continue your service of information to the masses.
Hope deferred is a bad thing. Hope fulfilled is glorious, and HE is!
JD SmithIMPACT Ministries

OCTOBER 29, 2006 – YES, WE ARE STILL HERE . . . YES, WE STILL NEED YOU!

Praise God that He kept away the Hurricanes this year.
The national weather service initially predicted an even stronger Hurricane season than last year. Thankfully and miraculously, NO major hurricane hit the United States this year. This was a relief to the thousands still living in FEMA trailers from Katrina and Rita. However, they still have a long way to go. IMPACT Ministries is committed to helping as much as we can for as long as we can. Of course that means we need your help. We need volunteers, supplies, funding, and of course prayers to continue.

Here are areas of critical need:
1. Volunteers and supplies for Christmas Outreach on Dec. 9th in St. Bernard Parish. See: IMPACT Ministries - Events
2. Construction Supplies and/or Funding to purchase supplies for those who have no insurance to rebuild.
3. Skilled labor
4. Volunteer Teams
5. Construction/Team Coordinator in New Orleans
6. PRAYER

The following are answers to prayer:
1. God’s Katrina Kitchen found a new home in Gulfport, MS. From there we continue to serve the areas of Gulfport, Pass Christian, Waveland, Pearlington and Long Beach.
2. The camp near Hattiesburg, MS, has officially been turned over to IMPACT. We will be announcing ways you can partner with us in providing inner city camps, retreats, family camps and pastoral nurturing through this facility.
3. John Blake (he and his wife, Sandy, moved to MS in May to assist IMPACT Ministries) is recuperating at home after a short hospital stay. This could have been much worse as it turned out John was dangerously close to a heart attack and/or stroke as a result of seriously high blood pressure and severe blockage to an artery. Thankfully, they caught it in time. Please continue to pray for his recovery.
4. Two wonderful ladies from New Hampshire will be moving to the gulf region to help IMPACT with teams, organization, and whatever else God lays on their hearts! We are so thankful for Sue Fish and Kathy Billings and look forward to a fruitful partnership in ministry. Amazingly enough, we have yet to meet these ladies in person. However, the Lord has knit our hearts over the last six months. Pray for them as they make this leap of faith.

In The Works:
1. First Response Initiative to provide local on-site training weekends – We shall go to your communities to help prepare “The Church” in your area how to mobilize and respond to a disaster either locally, nationally, or internationally. Through Katrina we all learned that we should not depend on Red Cross or the government to meet these needs. Rather, it is the call of The Church to take care of the poor and needy. It is also a huge opportunity for us to share the gospel through being His hands and feet. We need to be ready. These trained teams would then be the first groups we would turn to if another 9-11 or Katrina were to hit. Please let us know if your church community is interested and we will get your area on the schedule.
2. Partnership with Habitat for Humanity – IMPACT Ministries and Habitat for Humanity are in the development stages for a strategic partnership in the Gulf region that will facilitate and accelerate the rehabilitation of thousands of homes, the construction of thousands of new homes, and the development of multi-economic communities in some locations. Our partnership will combine resources and volunteers to folks who have been qualified, verified and processed for the need. The desire is to help those who cannot help themselves. The process of restoration is expected to take several years to complete and your continued partnership with IMPACT Ministries will be vital and fruitful.
3. Church Plants – We will be launching some house churches in the Gulf region soon. We shall also launch a church in the French Quarter of New Orleans, and one in Mississippi soon. Over the next few years we expect to partner with others to launch many new churches as we continue to help with existing churches in the recovery and restoration processes. We will keep you posted as these develop. Let us know if you have interest in partnering in anyway. We shall need teams, leaders, and of course much prayer.
4. New Strategic Partnership in Lake Charles, La.-IMPACT Ministries has formed a new partnership with the Long Term Recovery operation in Lake Charles, La. Soon IMPACT Ministries will begin sending volunteer groups there to work along side the Churches and community leaders to help rebuild their communities. The needs are great there even after all these months.
5. Multiple Volunteer Center locations-Over the last year, the local partners of IMPACT Ministries as well as partners from all over America have joined forces to facilitate long term recovery and restoration for the Gulf Coast. As 2007 approaches, thousands of volunteers from across America are continuing to respond to the great legitimate needs of so many people. These volunteers are being scheduled into the region in many places where IMPACT Ministries has strategic partnerships with local churches and other ministries. The people NEED YOU, and we can help you help them. It is our honor to serve you as you serve them. How can we serve you in coming to the region?
**An Easy Way to Help**
Need Your Taxes Done?? H & R Block has made IMPACT Ministries a generous offer for a strategic partnership. For everyone who did not have their taxes done by H & R Block in 2005 and uses H & R Block for 2006 taxes, H & R Block will donate $25 to IMPACT Ministries. We will be sending out more information soon but we wanted to get you thinking about it. Please consider sharing this information with your family members, congregation, neighbors, etc. This could be a way that many people could partner with IMPACT Ministries in a substantial way! All you need to do is take the flyer we will be sending to you to your local H &R block anytime between January 1st and April 15th. It saves you the headache of doing your own returns and benefits the victims of Katrina. Also keep in mind that any contributions made directly to IMPACT Ministries is tax deductible, as IMPACT Ministries is a non-profit 501(c) 3 entity.

With Gratitude,
JD and Toni Smith
IMPACT Ministries

Front Line Sites:
Bourg, LA New Orleans,LA Slidell,LA Bay Saint Louis,MS Diamond Head ,MS Gulfport/Biloxi,MS Lakeshore, MS Long Beach,MS Metairie,MS Pass Christian, MS Pearlington, MS Picayune,MS Waveland, MS
Volunteer Centers:
Gulfport/Biloxi, Pass Christian, Long Beach, New Orleans, Waveland
Distribution Centers:
Gulfport/Biloxi,MS New Orleans, LA Pass Christian, MS

We need both skilled and unskilled people (if they are in good health and able to follow directions). Skilled people in areas of: plumbing, electrical, construction, mechanical, roofers, concrete, painting, big equipment, cooking, counseling, youth, children, business development, administration, fund raising, and grant writing.
With the costs of meals, utilities, gas, insurance, and overhead it costs approximately $25 per person per day to operate the Volunteer center. Any contribution that you, your team or your church can give to help meet this need is appreciated.

We had a team from Oregon and one from California that were combined to work on Lynn and Russell’s house in Waveland. This family survived the storm on top of their roof with their two year old granddaughter. When the water receded they climbed down and scooped the mud out of their car to sleep in. They had no food or water for three days. Their dream house was completely destroyed. They are a very integris couple and hated to ask for help. Yet they knew they couldn’t do the work on their own. They decided to start by converting the garage into an apartment. The team came to help and Russell acted like the general contractor. The team and the family became very close that week. Lynn cooked them lunches most everyday. As the team leader for The Church on The Way, Debra Snell led the team to pray for and with them daily. Lynn and Russell have now said that they would like to house teams at their house! We hope to get some skilled groups in to finish out their home and sample Lynn’s famous cooking! As more is done on it we will be able to house more folks there to reach out to more of the residents.

The Recovery Continues – (despite not keeping up the news page!) Much has gone on in the last few months. Currently, teams are busy trying to get as much done as they can before the 2006 Hurricane season starts on June 1st. Speaking of which we would like to ask you and your church to consider signing up as a “First Response Team” if another disaster of such magnitude hits in the coming years. There needs are still staggering in MS and LA, yet we need to look ahead and prepare. We would like to have teams ready to mobilize quickly. Please email us if you want to form such a team.

The biggest need at this time is Teams of Volunteers. We can use 200 people a day for the next year. Please see "teams" page for more info.

Other Immediate Needs:
****NEW*** - WATER – both in gallons and individual. Also Water Purification Units, and refer trailers
Administrative help (This can be done from your home if you have good computer and communication skills.)
Two 15 person passenger vans or mini-buses to transport teams
Utility Trailer
1 Mini Van
1 One Ton Dually Truck
1 Dump Truck
1 Bobcat
2 Fork Trucks
Gas Cards
Gift Cards (Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, Target)
Air Miles
Contacts with manufacturers and distributors of food, household goods, construction supplies
Funding for Projects and Construction Supplies
On-site supervisors - volunteer month or more at a time
These can be donated outright and IMPACT will provide a Gift-in-Kind receipt. Or you can donate money designated to meet a specific need.
Note: We are no longer advising people to buy items and ship them into the region. We can find almost everything locally (with the exception of drywall). Your funds would be better stewarded if you could just donate them directly to IMPACT. We have found local distribution places where we can leverage the funds greatly. However if you have contacts with businesses or manufacturers who can donate the items we can offer gift-in-kind tax deductible donations.

Waveland Charrette

2006-06-24T10:13:00.000-04:00

The Waveland Community and friends are invited to participate in the Waveland Charrette (architectural and urban planning workshop), Saturday, June 24 through Wednesday, June 28. All events will take place at Bay-Waveland Middle School, Cafetorium, 600 Pine Street, Bay St. Louis. The Charrette will be led by Robert Orr and Associates.

This important process is the result of previous public meetings held in conjunction with the Governor's Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal. And also, open meetings held with the Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, MEMA and the Coleman Avenue Coalition.

The Charrette, all meetings and presentations are open to the public. Please plan on attending as many of the sessions as you, your staff and friends may wish. There is no admission fee and advance registration is not required.

Schedule of Events:

Saturday, June 24, 7:00 p.m. General Public Meeting and Opening Presentation

Breakout Focus Groups
Monday, June 26, 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Pin-Up and Review General Public Meeting

Tuesday, June 27, 1:00 p.m. Pin-Up and Review
Wednesday, June 28, 7:00 p.m. General Public Meeting and Final Presentation

Community involvement is the most important key to a successful Charrette. All of Waveland's infrastructure and public buildings will have to be replaced. These meetings are crucial to you having a voice in the rebuilding of Waveland. Waveland has the opportunity now to do things even better than before and build on past experiences to create a better future for its citizens. For more information, contact Kathy Pinn, City of Waveland, 228-467-3425.

Wayland To Waveland

2006-06-21T07:55:00.000-04:00

www.WaylandToWaveland.org
Wayland to Waveland Hurricane Relief Fund
c/o Town of Wayland
41 Cochituate Road
Wayland, MA 01778

3/13 The Wayland to Waveland (W2W) Hurricane Katrina Relief group is rallying for a special work effort April 1-7 to significantly advance the work on Ms. Melanie Keretas’ house that was started in the group’s October Wave of Relief.
Anyone interested should contact Cindy Lombardo. We have been staying at a new hotel in Bay St. Louis, the Hollywood Magic Casino Resort. The room rate is $59 during the week. We are working for a group rate that week. Watch this page for more details.

Click here for the LATEST PHOTOS of Ms. Hazel's House...

Move-In Showerfor Ms. Hazel!
We have registered Miss Hazel at Bed, Bath & Beyond for household items that she will need as she moves into her newly renovated home, the contents of which were lost in Katrina. People can participate in the “Move-In Shower” either on-line or at any Bed, Bath & Beyond store by referencing Hazel Tracey (with an E) at the Gift Registry.
Anyone shopping on-line at http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/ can access Miss Hazel’s gift registry by name (Hazel Tracey with an E) or by her registration #2766742. Coupons can be used for gift registry in-store purchases under the conditions specified. Please be sure to note any restrictions when planning your purchase.

2/14
February 12 – Starting this week, the Wayland to Waveland (W2W) Hurricane Katrina Relief group is partnering with a group of 6-8 volunteers (carpenters, electricians, etc.) from Jamaica Plain to finish the three home-building projects in Waveland, MS started in the October Wave of Relief.
Some significant work has been done since local builder and Wayland resident Peter Bachman led more than 25 other Wayland residents in building one home from the ground up, and repairing two others. But there is still much to be done before hanging the “Mission Accomplished” banner!
One goal of this new two-week effort (Feb. 10-25) is to complete the finish work on 89-year-old Miss Hazel Tracey's house to the point where she can move back in and out of the tiny FEMA trailer parked outside where she has lived for more than 16 months.
Among other things, this effort will include installing a new bathroom and kitchen, trimming all windows and doors, and more. The W2W leaders hope to be shopping for linens and such for a house-warming.
The Jamaica Plain group has been working with W2W to prepare for their visit, learning in detail what needs to be done. Some members of the W2W steering committee will work with them in Waveland, making introductions to key local contacts and working on site. The W2W representatives also will start the process of identifying future projects.
The workers also will continue work on Ms. Melanie Keratas’ house across the street from Ms. Hazel. This was the house rebuilt from the ground up. Windows and siding have been installed on Ms. Melanie’s since the Wayland team’s visit, and now it’s time for insulation and interior wall board, among other things.
The group visiting this month also plans to build the deck and front staircase on Scott Blackwell’s house. This house was salvaged from the storm damage. The Wayland group had installed windows and doors, and did some electrical and plumbing work. Remaining is to complete an exterior deck and finish interior wallboarding.
The W2W committee members (Tom Fay, Pam Lesser, Cindy Lombardo, Kathie Steinberg, and Lonnie Swarz) will be pre-planning for the group’s next building projects set for October 2007. W2W is in talks with several local builders and contractors to spearhead our next effort. Other local groups have expressed interest in partnering with W2W on future projects. These partner groups are eager to work with us on projects of substance on which they can see the effort through to success. Many projects in the Gulf Coast towns are “blind” in that workers never really see the owners or see the ultimate outcome of their work. In the W2W projects, there is a direct interaction with the owners, the work is productive, and the end product is both clear and satisfying.
W2W has talked with groups locally, including one from Concord, MA, as well as with groups in Illinois, California and Washington. All are committed to helping rebuild the Gulf Coast area hit so hard by the hurricane.

10/5
A group of 18 Wayland, MA HS students, and 9 adults are headed to Waveland this weekend (10/6) to do some repair and rebuilding work. A second wave of about 30 adults will be headed to Waveland from Wayland, MA on 10/13 to build a home and repair to others.

ACCOMMODATIONS IN WAVELAND:
Hotel cost: approximately $60 per night per person in a shared room.

MEALS:
-breakfast: likely provided by hotel
-lunch: likely provided by volunteers or caterer
-dinner: likely purchased at local restaurant or caterer
-cost for meals: approximately $18.00 per day per person

WORK TO BE DONE IN WAVELAND:
Three primary projects are set for Waveland. First, Wayland builder Peter Bachman and his crew will lead the charge in building a new home for Waveland resident Ms. Melanie Keretas. Her next door neighbor Ms. Hazel Tracey will receive a new roof and windows thanks to Peter and Wayland volunteers. Third, Waveland resident Scott Blackwell will also receive newly installed windows. If there is time, volunteers will also perform small repairs and clean up some properties. No particular skills are required, just a willingness to help residents of Wayland’s sister community.

MAXIMUM NUMBER OR ADULT SLOTS AVAILABLE: no maximum Electricians Welcome!

ITEMS NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT BY ADULTS: light clothes, given warm temperatures

Caring Mission

Despite being Ground Zero for Hurricane Katrina’s landfall, Waveland, Mississippi will recover and rebuild, and residents of Wayland, Massachusetts will help this small and beautiful community in its efforts. Our commitment and affirmation to Waveland reinforces that they will not be forgotten and we will support them for the long haul.

Established in 2005, Wayland to Waveland (W2W) is a public/private partnership aimed at providing short- and long-term support to the residents of Waveland, Mississippi who sustained major losses from Hurricane Katrina. This support will be in the form of developing personal relationships, assisting in the rebuilding effort, and leveraging the many skills and resources that Wayland residents can offer our sister community.

Fundraising

Donations are fully tax deductible
All donations go through the Town of Wayland and are earmarked excluively for helping Waveland, MS and its residents.
Wayland to Waveland Hurricane Relief Fundc/o Town of Wayland
41 Cochituate Road
Wayland, MA 01778

How Else Can You Help?

SENIORS: agree to befriend a fellow senior citizen in Waveland to make a phone call to say hello now and then, drop an occasional note to that Waveland senior, and generally let that fellow senior know that someone is thinking about them. Call one of the committee members listed below to obtain the name of a needy Waveland senior.
FAMILIES: agree to support a Waveland family in whatever way you can. Maybe your effort will only be a phone call or a card now and then. Maybe you could provide more substantial help if you able and interested. You may wish to fund some small expenses to help that family recover from Katrina’s devastation. Call one of the committee members listed below to obtain the name of a needy Waveland family.
INDIVIDUALS: agree to support, in whatever small or large way you can, another individual struggling to survive and face the challenge of rebuilding their life changed by Hurricane Katrina. It may be that you make a phone call now and then, or drop a card in the mail, letting that person know you are thinking of them. Or, you may wish to help them out financially. Do whatever you wish to do. Call one of the committee members listed below to obtain the name of a needy Waveland individual.

Tom Fay 617-312-7573 tom.fay@waylandtowaveland.org

Pam Lesser 508-358-8044 pam.lesser@waylandtowaveland.org

Cindy Lombardo 508-358-5958 cindy.lombardo@waylandtowaveland.org

Kathie Steinberg 508-358-9553 kathie.steinberg@waylandtowaveland.org

Preparing for Disasters

2006-06-21T07:38:00.000-04:00

Disasters can be as small as a single person or as large as an entire nation. A disaster can be a house fire, a wildfire, a tornado, a hurricane, an earthquake, a pandemic or a terrorist action.

How you prepare is the same regardless of the size or type of disaster. There are several publications out by countless organizations to deal with disaster preparedness.

I am going to supply the links, and let you decide which one makes the most sense for you. If you happen to have a source for preparation, please let me know and I’ll add it to the list!

First, Personal Preparation
There are a couple of links
I like The Red File – it is well written, concise and has tons of common sense. www.TheRedFile.com
Citizen Corp has many links to publications to assist you in every aspect, from preparing, preventing and recovering. Very good! http://www.citizencorps.gov/ready/cc_pubs.shtm

Emotional Preparation
North Carolina has done a great job compiling links and publications to assist folks with the emotional aspect of any disaster. http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/mhddsas/disasterpreparedness/index.html
Child Advocate has come out with a small booklet for children and I have found this to be the best out there: http://childadvocate.net/disasterbooklet.pdf
A book entitled Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD. While this book deals with coping with disaster after the fact, reading it before it happens will give you a great weapon on coping before during and after such a serious event.

Financial Preparation
The best I have found in handling this particular aspect is from an organization called Operation Hope. It’s detailed, calls for several lifestyle adjustments in order to put their plan into place, BUT it will work! They have what they call an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) that you can download for free:
http://www.operationhope.org/fileupload/File/effak_english.pdf - This is 28 pages.
And a Personal Disaster Preparedness Guide
http://www.operationhope.org/fileupload/File/pdpg_english.pdf - 18 pages.

Finally, Professional/Business Preparation
The Hancock County Chamber of Commerce gave this to me. I’ve not found it in any files or websites I’ve come across and it’s simple, common sense stuff that is so easy to overlook. I have left this information at the top of their page: http://hancockcountyrelief.blogspot.com/2006/06/chamber-lagniappe.html

I feel these links do the best job of covering all aspects of preparing for a disaster. Please let me know if there are others you find that you feel are better or more concise, etc. I’m more than willing to add to the list!

IUPUI Trip

2006-06-20T08:37:00.000-04:00

http://www.iupui.edu/~extaff/katrina/waveland.html

Visiting their website is the best way to show what just a few people can accomplish. Very spontaneous in their efforts, but also very organized and well thought-out. AND, consistent. They have made 4 trips, trying to anticipate when needs will occur, and meeting those needs with each trip.

All because one man on campus has family down there. It shows how well community works and how one person can mobilize the world, if so motivated.

They have delivered truck loads of items, along with thousands of man hours cleaning and restoring a church as well as homes surrounding the church. Positively wonderful!

This group from Indiana - a combination of university staff, professors and students are making a 4th trip to Waveland to continue their assistance. Woo!

This trip is July 7-13. I will be posting more information later next week regarding the work they have done and the work they hope to do in the future, but for now, I wanted to get the word out of their July trip.

L

7/15 - From his blog
Liberalindiana heads to Mississippi
July 6th, 2006
Time for a road trip. LI is heading to Waveland, Mississippi to do some good on the gulf coast. Its my third trip to the area and we are finally rebuilding.
On the docket for the next week:
Thursday - Friday: Travel in a somewhat crowded van to MS
Friday: unpacking, preparation
Saturday: Visit the work site, start gettin’ my hands dirty
Saturday night: Visit NOLA, get a few other things dirty
Sunday - Wednesday: Build a home for someone in need
Thursday: Truck on back to Indy
I’ll post pics to my personal Flickr account if I get the chance. I’ll be back at it on LI starting Monday July 17th.

MLK Park Meeting

2006-06-15T07:42:00.000-04:00

Community meeting set to discuss park's future

A Middle Town Community Meeting will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Little Zion Baptist Church, 510 S. Central Ave. (this was in an update for 6/18 - call for full information)

The community can voice opinions regarding the development of Martin Luther King Park and the surrounding area on Herlihy Street.

'It is absolutely a must for the community to get involved in the future of the park,' said Mayor Tommy Longo.

Details: Harold Gillum, 332-1876 or Kathy Pinn, 467-3425

Diamondhead Water Woes

2006-06-15T07:41:00.000-04:00

Jay Botsay's house was one of just a few in this mostly middle- to upper-class community south of Interstate 10 to survive Katrina's fury.
Four months after the storm, Botsay was finally able to use a hose to rinse the slimy mud out of his living room, all the while wrangling with adjusters and contractors.Those hardships may be the least of his problems.
The Diamondhead Water and Sewer District has threatened to disconnect his service, fine him $1,000 per day, and even have his property condemned.
'They're punishing me for trying to get water to my house, when they told us it would be eight months to a year before they restored it on the southside,' Botsay said.
Because the district did not restore water to Diamondhead's southside until December, Botsay and several other residents installed wells on their properties.
'The people returning to the southside were very concerned about their safety because of the lack of water,' said Mario Feola, a southside resident and vice president of the Diamondhead Property Owners Association.
Feola installed a well at his home, he said, because the Water and Sewer District refused to send a tanker truck to the southside to distribute water following the August storm.
'A fire would have been tragic,' he said. 'Water was also needed to start decontamination and cleanup.'
The Water and Sewer District allows private wells that were installed before 1989 in Diamondhead, when the Legislature established the district as a public entity.
Feola, Botsay and other southside residents say they installed their wells to serve temporary, emergency purposes. Feola's well is disconnected, and Botsay's has been capped and covered with concrete.
But that's not good enough. The district wants the wells decommissioned, which is an expensive process that involves pouring concrete into the wells to make sure they never work again.
Mike Collard, the head of the district, sent a letter to Feola on April 10, saying concrete would need to be poured into the well, and that Collard would need to be there to watch.
Collard did not return messages left at the district offices by the Sun Herald seeking comment on the water wells. When reporters called his cell phone, he said, 'I don't know how you got this number, but don't call it again.' Then he hung up.
With the exception of one public road, the POA owns and maintains every street in the private community.
The POA and the Hancock County Board of Supervisors are virtually powerless to intervene in matters concerning the Diamondhead Water and Sewer District.
Since President Reagan was in the White House, the Diamondhead Water and Sewer District has had the power to adopt ordinances, issue fines and disconnect services, according to state law.
Earlier this year, Gov. Haley Barbour signed the Gulf Regional Water Utility Authority Act, fashioned to push South Mississippi governments toward working together on matters of water and sewerage.
County leaders have formed the Hancock County Utility Authority, but the Diamondhead Water and Sewer District can choose to join or remain independent.
The district is not forced to join the county board, but not doing so would mean Diamondhead misses out on its share of $600 million in federal funds for expanding water and sewerage.
Len Blackwell, an attorney who represents the district, said officials want the wells destroyed because rogue water systems could jeopardize the district's water supply. Then there's the economic factor.
'If everyone there had a well, the district's income would go down,' Blackwell said. 'That would mean a rate increase for everyone in Diamondhead.'
The residents have hired an attorney to clearly explain their rights, but it may be too late for Feola, who is scheduled to have concrete dumped into his well sometime this month, and Collard is expected to be looking on.
'
Mario Feola
Diamondhead Property Owners Association vice president

Boys and Girls Club

2006-06-11T14:24:00.000-04:00

www.bgcgulfcoast.org

Shipping Address
Lundays Unit/Beauvoir Unit
2003 Lawrence Ave.(Beauvoir Elementary)
Biloxi, MS 39531
Phone: (228) 348-3205 Fax: (228) 435-5424
email: Lundays@bgcgulfcoast.org

Hancock County's B&G's Club
1101 St. Joseph St. (Waveland Elementary)
Waveland, MS 39576
Phone: (228) 323-8679 Fax: (228) 463-9662
email: HancockCounty@bgcgulfcoast.org

WISH LIST

Printer Ink
Construction Paper
Washable Markers
Scissors
Crayons
Drawing Paper
Tempera Paint
Watercolors
Pastels
Charcoal
Paint brushes
Colored Pencils
Sponges and Glitter and Stencils
DVD movies with kid-friendly ratings
Board Games like Checkers, Chess and Connect Four
Plates, Cups and Napkins for snacks, parties and more
Balls to play with on the playground in Spring

A POSITIVE Idea!

What do you do with all the “stuff” you accumulate when you travel on business or to conferences? You know, all that free stuff you can’t help but pick up at the trade shows or when staying in a hotel. How many chip clips or mini sewing kits do you really need? How many unopened bottles of hotel shampoo or lotion can you store in your bathroom? Well, now there is a reason to collect this stuff: donate it to us! That’s right – we use those little giveaway items as incentives for the kids at the Clubs and they love it! We also use the hotel shampoos, lotions, etc., for stuffers for the KidsDay Health Fair or just to hand out when necessary.
So save up those items and give us a call. We’ll take them off your hands and put them to good use, POSITIVELY!

Katrinas Angels

2006-06-10T17:40:00.000-04:00

www.KatrinasAngels.org GREAT Page - http://www.katrinasangels.org/Resources.asp

3/25
Update: I AM Foundation.org (Books)Book Gifting Missions to Biloxi, New Orleans and South America in 2007.
In July, we plan to meet the First Lady of Columbia, who is endorsing our mission to her country, and to gift over 50,000 English and Spanish books to the children in South America with cooperation with The World Relief Organization (WRO).
In the fall, we will visit Biloxi, MS and New Orleans, LA to hand deliver over 50,000 more books to children affected by Katrina. This is in addition to the 35,000 we have already delivered. We are working with the WRO and Katrina's Angels to make this fall trip possible.
Woolmarket Elementary School, Biloxi, MS

3/5 With Easter right around the corner, Katrina's Angels is looking for a place to have an Easter Egg hunt. We will sponsor the event (that is we'll pay for and send you the supplies).
We are looking to keep the total children involved to about 100. We need a group or organizationto work with us for the event. If you get us a date and location, we will purchase everything for you to have the Easter Egg Hunt.
If you are interested, please contact us at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KatrinasAngelsinActionForum/post?postID=VEHRGZi8Iw3NyUVWQfUS-qgiojVpSqUA4wB1EutRrBUMnPp1Kq_h-KtA3IlTECl3oaRrZxSC5zchJOWmRoPQIA
or
info@katrinasangels.org
This will be a fun, 2 hour long event that will make a lot of kids happy.
And my final incentive to all you potential Easter bunnies: CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!!!!

1/3
http://katrinasangels.org/ReliefResources.asp
www.katrina.com is looking for families to adopt katrina victims and w ww.allamericanwww.com/1family is trying to link families in need directly with people who want to help.

12/15 Read About Their Thanksgiving!
http://www.katrinasangels.org/Postturkeydinner.asp

11/25 Request for Volunteers
Hi! My name is Karen Iwicki and I am the Resource Director for Katrina's Angels.
Your volunteer service with Katrina's Angels does not have to be limited to one thing. We have a variety of ways you can help us either from your home or on site. We have people collecting gift cards and doing other fundraisers from their home area as Fundraising Angels.

In December, we plan to hold a Breakfast with Santa at the New Orleans area base for the children of our soldiers serving in Iraq/Afghanistan in conjunction with Toys for Tots. We are also trying to get families from our client list adopted for Christmas by putting an Angel Tree on our web site at http://www.katrinasangels.org/. And I have several schools just begging for books and supplies for their students, so fundraisers and drives are needed to do that. I also need Guardian Angels to make phone calls and verify and update client needs, addresses, phone numbers before putting them on the Angel Tree.
Our needs change from week-to-week, but we ALWAYS need volunteers.
Please let me know if any of this interests you. I will gladly welcome the help this busy Holiday season.

11/24 News Article from WLOX
http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=5724827

Through online chat rooms and websites, the group "Katrina's Angels" has spent the last 15 months gathering resources. Members are now gracing South Mississippi with a few miracles.
"Whenever disaster strikes, people can know there are angels there. Guardian angels, people that are there to hold their hand, comfort them and provide them what they need," Katrina's Angels founder Tony Coolidge says.
[More at the Link]

11/24 Katrina's Angels has a blog for updates!
http://katalk.blogspot.com/

11/18
Katrina's Angels is hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner for 500 at the Restoration Revival Center in Moss Point, MS, which is a church and gymnasium. Ms Barbara Nelson is part of An Outreach of Love, formed to aid the community in the deep south of MS where Hurricane Katrina has devastated homes and lives. An Outreach of Love has partnered with Katrina's Angels to provide the MS residents of Moss Point, Escatawba, Ocean Springs and Gulfport with supplies, support, and a hand up.
We will need gift cards for WalMart, Target, any places where we can get food, paper plates, plasticware, napkins, etc., locally for this event. Gift cards save on shipping costs. Also needed are anything usable as gift items, toiletries, hair items, etc., for baskets we intend to give away...depending on donations. We want every person to go home from the dinner with something new; a box full of supplies if we get enough donations.

10/20 Katrina's Angels Make a Difference Day Work
Katrina's Angels -Katrina's Angels is a volunteer, "virtual" nonprofit assisting disaster survivors. We will be posting an online Angels Tree with needy individuals to help over the holidays. No personal info will be given until the family is sponsored and then a follow-up to confirm sponsored families are actually getting items (so no one will be missed).
We help survivors in all 50 states and all donations go directly to the families or will be used to offset shipping charges. We welcome any groups, churches, business, school groups etc that may want to do a group effort and as a registered 501c3, we can give tax exemption receipts.We will also welcome any volunteers that would like to help in any way, from sending emails, data entry, drives or fundraisers, collections, distributions etc.
Lynne Onufer Program Director http://www.katrinasangels.org/

Katrina's Angels is a national volunteer effort that is driven by the generosity of people wanting to make a difference for others. We are registered in the State of Florida and operating with a 501 (c)(3) non-profit status. We are commited to providing solutions and resources to displaced survivors and residents of areas that have suffered as a result of natural disaster in the United States. Our services include employment referrals, housing referrals, direct relief and resource coordination.

Katrina's Angels was one of the first grassroots organizations to respond to the needs by means of virtual partnerships and volunteer efforts spread across the nation, and one of the last remaining that is still operating actively in this capacity. Long term recovery projections stand at a minimum of ten years by experts and the support of volunteers, donors and sponsorships are vital to enable us to continue to thrive in our recovery and relief efforts. Together we can continue to make a difference.

For additional information and a complete list of volunteer, donor and sponsorship opportunities, please visit our website at: www.katrinasangels.org
10/13

Lynne, the Programming Director, sent the following to me about their registry with the MADD on October 28:
Katrina's Angels is a volunteer, "virtual" nonprofit assisting disaster survivors. We will be posting an online Angels Tree with needy individuals that needs help over the holidays. No personal info will be given until the family is sponsored and the will be follow-up to confirm, sponsored families are actually getting items so no one will be missed.

In the event of a family not being selected or a sponsor being unable to continue, we are also organizing toy drives to make sure we have a gift bank that we can use to make sure each family receives some toys.

We help survivors in all 50 states and all donations go directly to the families or will be used to offset shipping charges. We welcome any groups, churches, business, school groups etc that may want to do a group effort and as a registered 501c3, we can give tax exemption receipts.

We will also welcome any volunteers that would like to help in any way, from sending emails, data entry, drives or fundraisers, collections, distributions etc.
Lynne Onufer

Also From Lynn:
We are also co-hosting Thanksgiving Dinner in Moss Point , MS for more than 500 people. As we are an internet group with volunteers all over the country, we are super excited to be doing this. Several directors are flying down to help serve and this will be the first time we will be meeting each other face to face. So this will be the greatest Thanksgiving Dinner ever. It is on November 18th.

Waveland Police

2006-05-30T21:08:00.000-04:00

City of Waveland
335 Coleman Avenue
Bldg. 8
Waveland, MS 39576

I am in semi-constant contact with Lt. Mac Cowand of the Waveland Police Department.

The tale he tells of life since The Storm is heroing. Due to the stress of the storm and life following - life histories lost, houses lost, citizens dying from The Storm, 30% of their force resigned.

If you are a cop, were a cop, or thinking of becoming a cop, consider this for just a few moments... You're trying to serve and protect a community and can do nothingto save it from such a powerful storm - even though that's what you swore you would do. You would protect them and you couldn't. Then, out of homes for 8000, only 35 remained standing. Not inhabitable, STANDING. How do you serve that? Your own home, your equipment, your patrol cars, your personal vehicles, are all lost. And, because of geography, your town is isolated. Then, 30% of the force resigns due to this stress. You can't blame them. And finally, due to no tax base, you're probably going to lose another 20% - one of which might be you.

It isn't until more than 8 months after the storm you get a new fleet of patrol cars and get fitted for new uniforms, new body armor.

Violent crime is on the rise. You read about it in the papers, but you are also experiencing it. All of these FEMAvilles, coupled with the chronic stress of the situation on the citizens is increasing the rate of violent crime, the ferocity of the violence and the rate of the crime on YOU - the police who are reduced in numbers, but no less bound to serve and protect.

Do you, as a citizen or fellow police officer, think they need help?

The List!

SIRCHIE
2-PART NUMBER MLP2020A- LATENT PRINT KIT
2-PART NUMBER SK700- TAPE MEASURE
2-PART NUMBER RMT03- MEASURING SCALES- ROLLER
2-PART NUMBER PEN 15- CRIME/ACCIDENT PHOTO EVIDENCE NUMBERS 1-15
2-PART NUMBER PEN1650 CRIME/ACCIDENT PHOTO EVIDENCE NUMBERS 16-50
1- PART NUMBER- ACFUME CYANOACRYLATE FUMING ENCLOSURE
2- PART NUMBER CNA2000- CYANOACRYLATE PACKETS
2- PART NUMBER PV001B- ANTI-PUTREFACTION SINGLE MASK
2- PART NUMBER EFR200- BIG NUMBER TRI FOLD REFERENCE SCALES
DICTAPHONE
2-COMBO 2753- STANDARD CASSETTE WRITER PLUS DICTATION AND TRANSCRIPTION VERSION WITH FOOT CONTROL, HEAD SET, AND HAND MIKE
2- HANDHELD 2225 RECORDER- DICTAPHONE STANDARD CASSETTE HANDHELD RECORDER
2- TELEVISION-DVD/VCR COMBO
VIDEO RECORDER
MAGNIFYING GLASS
MAGNIFYING GLASS FOR FINGERPRINTS
HEAVY DUTY PAPER SHREDDER
GUN SHOT RESIDUE KITS
RAPE KITS VICTIM/SUSPECT
5 – KODAC DIGITAL CAMERAS WITH CASES AND MEMORY CARDS (EASY SHARE Z730)
4 – LATENT PRINT KITS PART# 177L (SERCHIE)
4- PORTABLE BREATH TESTERS (CMI INTOXLYZER 300 LE307)
4 – METAL TAPE MEASURES 100 FT
6 – MICRO TAPE RECORDERS WITH CASES
8 – SETS OF LEG IRONS (S&W RS024)
4 – 15 FT TROOPER SPKIE STRIPS (LE339)
1 – BATTERY JUMP STARTER HEAVY DUTY ROLL AROUND

St. Clare School Closing

2006-05-30T17:39:00.000-04:00

From WLOX.com

An ice cream party gave St. Clare second graders some sweet memories to cherish, as they said good-bye to each other and their Waveland school.

"I want chocolate syrup," says one boy.

"I want vanilla and sprinkles," says a girl.

While some students took pictures, others took home souvenirs, like their desks.

"It reminds me of the memories I had at St. Clare," says second grader Conner Ladner.
It was a bittersweet day as well for teachers like Barbara Worrel. Leaving a school where she has taught for 29-years wasn't easy.

"Sadness. Sadness. I'm going to miss all this," says Barbara Worrel.

Terry Asher also has strong ties to the school. He went to school at St. Clare. and that's where he chose to send his two sons.

"When I was in Kindergarten, I came here in 1969, and Hurricane Camille hit. The school was gone then too," says Terry Asher. "I used to tell my kids about me being in trailers and everything and never imagined that the same thing would happen to them."

St. Clare was rebuilt a year after Camille. Since Katrina's destruction, the school has been operating out of Quonset huts. But a new St. Clare won't be coming back.

"It's tough. Very tough," says Asher. "All the parents here really fought to have the school reopen. It's emotional for everybody."

"It's the center of the community," says Sr. Ruth Angelette.

She was the principal when St. Clare opened in 1964. She returned to the campus on the day it closed for good.

"It was my Camelot," says Sr. Ruth. "It gives me closure. A sad closure, but it does."

"Don't leave me Ms Morrel," said one student as he hugged his teacher.

While the school will no longer exist, many believe the St. Clare spirit will live on.

"A lot of things have changed since Katrina, and we can't control that," says Sr. Ruth. "We have to look forward and have the hope, and faith, and spirit to move forward."

In the Fall, St. Clare will merge with Bay Catholic Elementary in Bay St. Louis to become "Holy Trinity School".

The St. Clare property may be used for a parish hall and new home for the pastor.

Habitat Homes Article

2006-05-30T17:34:00.000-04:00

http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=4928019&nav=menu40_5

In one week, a Waveland family hit hard by Katrina will move into a brand new home. The house is being built by the Habitat for Humanity Foundation. But as WLOX NEWS found out, the Habitat home currently going up is only the first of many to come in Hancock County.

The sounds of construction signal a new beginning for the Adams Family. Four feet of gushing water did irreversible damage to the house they called home for more than 27 years.

"A fresh start, a new beginning. We're not leaving, I'm not leaving. Waveland is my home and I love it down here and I won't leave," Susan Adams said.

Thanks to Habitat For Humanity, the couple won't have to leave the city. The organization is building them a new home.

"It's a four bedroom, roughly 1200 square foot, sort of a Coastal Cottage designed house," said Habitat Construction Manager Mark Scott.

This is a history making construction project in Hancock County. It's the first Habitat home ever to be built in this county. And organizers say it's just the first of many.

"We currently have 16 lots in Waveland and about 40 in Bay St. Louis. We're still in the process of negotiating to buy more land, and are receiving donations of land from area residents, so we'll be building here for a long time," said Habitat Project Manager Wendy McDonald.

Scott said. "When someone determines the catastrophe is over, we'll leave a program here that will continue to build houses for first time home buyers probably five, six, seven years down the road."

The Adams Family is just grateful Habitat is helping meet the area's housing needs.

"This is a house that love has built. Habitat has become more than friends, they're a great organization and I can't thank them enough."

The Adams home marks the 1,001 Habitat Home built in Mississippi.

by Al Showers

HANDS

2006-05-28T09:07:00.000-04:00

http://www.hands.ms/index2.html
handsrelief@bellsouth.net

11/3 State Farm recently presented a grant to HANDS (Helping Americans Needing Disaster Support). This organization was started my Leisha Pickering (wife of Congressman Chip Pickering of Central Miss._ Great organization. We'll probably continue our support with this organization not only with financial support but volunteer efforts as well.

HANDS is a 501 (c) 3 that is funded solely through the generous donations of foundations, corporations, churches, and individuals. If you would like to make a contribution to HANDS’ relief efforts,

please contact our distribution center at 601-957-0094.
Make checks payable to:
HANDS
P.O. Box 16449
Jackson, MS 39236

HANDS, Helping Americans Needing Disaster Support, is a Mississippi faith-based non-profit founded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. HANDS’ mission is to help rebuild, recover, renew, and restore the individuals, families, and communities devastated by Katrina and other disasters. HANDS is adapting to the changing needs during the different stages of recovery, including the distribution of supplies and clothing, coordinating cleaning and debris removal, and partnering individual families with churches and communities groups to assist in the recovery process.

Dear Friends:

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we have seen the horrific television footage. We have all
struggled with a sense of helplessness at the devastation and number of families left in need. I thank each and every one of you that have taken part in the recovery efforts through sending supplies, money, or volunteering your time. Without your support, the relief efforts would have suffered greatly. However, there is much more work to be done. The recovery process is just beginning. Some of you have toured the coast and seen the devastation first-hand. For those who have not, the destruction is indescribable.

Approximately 70,000 homes on the Mississippi Gulf Coast were completely destroyed, and thousands more were damaged by wind, trees, and water. While the physical destruction has been staggering, the hope and faith of the people affected has been greatly strained. Each passing day our neighbors on the coast see what you and I may catch as a glimpse hidden on the news. We believe God has raised up HANDS to bring the hope of Christ to the region through the physical rebuilding as well as emotional and spiritual support.

While this is sobering news to hear eight months post Katrina, the Mississippi,Faith-based nonprofit, HANDS (Helping Americans Needing Disaster Support), offers a brighter vision for the future.

The goal of HANDS is “to rebuild the Coast one family at a time” using a new initiative called the Family Connection Program. HANDS has gathered data on the needs of over 1,500 families, or approximately 6,300 individuals, from the devastated region, including Biloxi, Gulfport, Waveland, Pearlington, and Pass Christian. There are far too many needs to list in this letter, but none are greater than their need for a renewed spirit of hope. In the early days after the storm, many people placed their hope in their insurance companies, the government, and the nation, assuming that these groups would be able to provide enough support to help them rebuild. However, the harsh reality is that many people have gone back to their normal routines, offers of assistance have dwindled, and many Coastal residents have begun experiencing
widespread depression as they face their bleak future. We believe Jesus has called us to love our
neighbor during this time of need and the Family Connection Program is a vehicle to do just that.

The Family Connection Program offers you, your family, your church, or your business an
opportunity to take a personal hand in rebuilding the Coast. Each HANDS Sponsor Group is assigned one family, and is asked to commit one full year to developing a relationship with the family and addressing their emotional needs. Pray for them, Care for them and Share with them in their time of need. After becoming “intimately” involved in the family’s life, if there are physical or financial needs that you feel led to address, HANDS’ encourages you to do so. Each family in the Family Connection Program shares similar emotional needs, but the financial needs vary from family to family. Using detailed research data, HANDS can match each sponsor group with a family based upon the sponsor’s anticipated time and available resources.

For more information on the Family Connection Program, contact HANDS at 877-426-3703 or 601-957-0094. You can also visit their web site at www.hands.ms.

Through the Family Connection Program, HANDS is making a profound impact in the lives of many people, and I encourage you to become a part.

As Americans, we can find no greater way to promote the general welfare of our nation and our
people than a program such as this. The largest natural disaster in the history of our nation is upon us and now is the time for each of us to make a personal difference and exhibit the passion Christ has placed in our hearts to Love our Neighbor as ourselves.

HELPING AMERICANS NEEDIING DISASTER SUPPORT

Waveland Fire

2006-05-26T10:15:00.000-04:00

http://www.wavelandfiredepartment.com/
Waveland Fire Dept.
322 Gulfside Dr.
Waveland, MS 39576
mailto:Burnuup@intu.net

I just spoke with Assistant Chief Mike about their situation and needs.

Before the hurricanes hit, Waveland had 2 fire stations. 1 is now a slab and the other is destroyed but standing after taking on over 5' of water. All equipment was lost. Some has been replaced, but they are still in great need.

Amazing - during the hurricane, they evacuated from Station 2 to the waste water treatment plant next door, which already had a host of folks in it trying to escape the rising waters. 2 elderly women got stuck in the elevator from the first to the second floor, so the firefighters had to go back out into the storm to get equipment to rescue the ladies. Heroism at it's most basic.

Right now, Station 1 is being run out of a double wide trailer and Station 2 just got a single wide trailer to be able to post a shift of men there again. Until this, the town was being covered by only 1 station.

The stress on the fire fighters has been very high - similar to the police department. Some of them went to the destroyed Walmart, got bycicles so they could ride home to get their ATV's and have some form of transportation to assist the citizens during those critical first hours. But because Waveland is such an old community, and had gorgeous, huge old trees come down all over, the town was isolated for a very long time. Those ATV's literally became a lifeline for the entire community.

The Needs list - which will most likely expand in the coming days:

Office Supplies
Pens, pencils, reams of paper, file folders, note pads, etc.
File Cabinets
Hurst "Jaws of Life rescue tools"
Positive Pressure Ventilation Fans
Hand tools for salvage operations
Wet/Dry Vacuum
Heavy Duty extension cords
Weed Eaters

I'm adding:
Heavy duty tire plug kits
Jumper cables
Tow Cables

Waveland FEMA Trailers Article

2006-05-24T08:31:00.000-04:00

http://www.tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?pid=85355

FEMA's Flying Tuna CansThe New Hurricane Season on the Mississippi Coast
By Chad Heeter

I'm standing on the coast, staring not at the Gulf of Mexico but inland, into the nothingness that used to be Waveland, Mississippi. Where once homes, a library, and the city hall stood, there's only rubble, ghostly slabs of concrete, sun-bleached pants, nightgowns, and curtains eerily draped high in the trees, and a single, green minivan crumpled like an aluminum can. Oh yes, and then there are the "travel trailers" -- FEMA supplied -- that sit on the tombstone-like slabs and house many of the residents who remain in this small seaside town.

Now, your basic travel trailer is great for a family vacation to Yellowstone, but as protection against a storm? Even when tethered to the ground (and some of these aren't), trailers can rock back and forth in relatively mild winds and be heavily damaged in your ordinary thunderstorm. But here in Waveland, where Katrina hit with devastating Category-4 force nine months ago, and far more important, less than two weeks before the next hurricane season revs up on June 1st, these trailers shelter hundreds of families. In fact, over 90,000 Katrina families scattered across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama now sleep in FEMA trailers and are likely to face, in the months to come, a new danger on the unreconstructed coastline of the southeast – that, in a storm much kinder than Katrina, their "homes" will be turned into flying tuna cans.

In October 2004, experts at the American Meteorological Society, considering mobile home communities, issued a report (http://www.ametsoc.org/POLICY/statement_2004_mobilehomes.html) which concluded in part: "The public perception that only tornadoes and hurricanes destroy mobile homes is wrong. These homes can be demolished by many kinds of severe winds." In fact, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/high_winds.shtml), nearly half of the deaths caused by tornadoes in the U.S. come when trailer residents either stay put to ride out the storm or flee in areas without immediately available shelters. Forget hurricanes, Mississippi is hit with an average of 24 tornadoes a year and already ranks second in the nation in the number of tornado-related deaths and injuries.
Gusts of 50 miles per hour lasting more than three seconds can damage mobile homes. From March 2003 to April 2005, thirteen storms with winds of at least 58 mph -- the low-end of a severe storm -- blew through Waveland and surrounding communities according NOAA's online database. At that strength, such a storm wouldn't even qualify as a Category-1 Hurricane.

Having put over 100,000 Mississippi residents in 38,000 trailers, how has FEMA addressed this issue? Its website essentially dumps the problem in the laps of the trailerized, suggesting that it's their responsibility to closely monitor weather patterns, as in the event of a tropical storm or a Category-1 hurricane they would have to be the first -- in some cases, the only people -- to evacuate. Oh, and they'll need to leave the trailers behind. It's illegal to move the FEMA trailers.

Under hurricane conditions, the website points out, "such shelters are particularly hazardous...no matter how well fastened to the ground." A chart on the same web-page makes the dangers vividly clear. A Category-2 hurricane will simply destroy all mobile homes in its path.

FEMA suggests that, on recognizing the signs of an oncoming storm, trailer residents should head for the nearest storm shelter. One problem: there is only one certified Red Cross shelter in Hancock County, 20 minutes inland from the trailer communities in Waveland, and that shelter has a scanty capacity of just 250 people. (The current estimated population of Hancock County is over 40,000 people.) Of course, such shelters, essentially reinforced concrete bunkers, could be built right in these trailer communities, but don't count on that happening in the brief days before the next storm season gears up to rush across the overheated waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

If not sturdy homes or storm shelters, what has been rebuilt along the coast? Casinos and fast-food restaurants. These went up in the blink of an eye and have been operating at peak capacity for many months -- and this is a good thing. These businesses employ thousands of locals and generate much-needed revenue for cities like Biloxi and Gulfport. But the employees working in housekeeping at Biloxi's Imperial Palace Casino, or taking drive-thru orders at the Wendy's in Waveland, are low-wage earners. What do they live in? Many in those trailers, of course. Will local officials or FEMA bureaucrats be organizing ways for them to leave the area with each threat of a tropical storm, of which there could be dozens?

In January, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) announced a $6.6 million reimbursement program to encourage communities and families to build storm shelters or in-home "safe rooms" in the event of extreme winds. But at most this funding will subsidize shelter construction for only a few thousand families -- and if you live in a low-lying flood zone like Waveland, you won't qualify for the grant.

It seems that what FEMA has created is an illusion of safety. Because these families have been placed in temporary housing, are we assuming they'll safely ride out the next storm season?
With the 2006 hurricane season promising to be as active as last year's, maybe this is the summer for FEMA to pack up those trailers and organize caravans of Mississippians to take that long-awaited trip to Yellowstone.

Chad Heeter is a writer from Lee's Summit, Mo. He lived in a travel trailer for three months one summer during college.

Bucks Mont Katrina Project - PA

2006-05-20T17:56:00.000-04:00

www.BucksMontKatrinaProject.org

You may send a check payable to
The Salvation Army to:
Bucks-Mont Katrina Relief Fund
PO Box 1542
Doylestown, PA 18901

3/12 http://208.62.60.4/40/article_1027.shtml
excerpt
When attorney Maureen Gatto, now volunteer project coordinator for Bucks Mont Katrina Relief, left her home in Pennsylvania last August for a two year stint in Hancock County, she knew the work here would be totally absorbing. So she asked a few little things of her family."I told my husband please don't let the house foreclose, my sons to put off any grandchildren, and my mother to stay healthy," Gatto laughed. "My practice of course couldn't wait two years, so someone is handling that."Gatto is just one of hundreds of volunteers from the Pennsylvania counties of Bucks and Montgomery who just can't seem to do enough to help Hancock County get back on its feet. The two counties are bordered by the city of Philadelphia in Southeastern Pennsylvania.The group sponsors around 15 programs in the county, some ongoing, some just getting started, and others nearing completion. On Tuesday the group will co-host an all day bash of groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings and opening celebrations for projects organized by the group from the ground up.

2/14/07

Child care center dedication scheduled for March 13, 2007

The Hancock County Child Development Center building dedication is now scheduled for Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 11 a.m. in Bay St. Louis, Miss. If the dedication ceremony is anything like the ground-breaking event held in April 2006, be prepared for an emotional and joyous occastion. The child development center is a gift from the Bucks Mont Katrina Relief Project to Hancock County, Miss., and will accommodate 124 children. The March 13 ceremony will include a ribbon joining (no ribbon-cutting -- we're joining our efforts with the gracious people of Hancock County), music, reception, tours and treats.

1/14

Welcome to the Bucks Mont Katrina Relief ProjectThe Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia is a key partner in the Bucks Mont Katrina Relief Project, providing guidance and non-profit status to our fundraising efforts.

Learn more: www.877redkettle.org

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Calvary Church, Souderton, PA, has made a two-year commitment to aid relief efforts in the Gulf Coast:

www.calvarykatrinarelief.org

Katrina Logistics

NARI Trip, February 07 -- Residential -- Start Date: 2/11/2007

Based out of: Doylestown, PA Contact: Laurie Baker

Description: Skilled, "lightly skilled," and non skilled volunteers will be doing finishing work on several residential homes. For further information, please contact Marnie McAleer, at 215-654-0364, or marni.mcaleer@harthbuilders.com

Child care center dedication scheduled for March 13, 2007

The Hancock County Child Development Center building dedication is now scheduled for Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 11 a.m. in Bay St. Louis, Miss.

If the dedication ceremony is anything like the ground-breaking event held in April 2006, be prepared for an emotional and joyous occastion.The child development center is a gift from the Bucks Mont Katrina Relief Project to Hancock County, Miss., and will accommodate 124 children.

The March 13 ceremony will include a ribbon joining (no ribbon-cutting -- we're joining our efforts with the gracious people of Hancock County), music, reception, tours and treats.

The group's cornerstone project is a new 10,000-square-foot day-care center, the first public building constructed in Hancock County post-Katrina, which will be dedicated on March 13. Much of the $1.25 million cost of the day-care center is been offset by donated labor, materials and supplies from Bucks and Montgomery County residents and businesses.

The group is also helping to build a 5,266-square-foot animal rescue facility to serve an estimated 60 cats and 20 dogs, who like their human counterparts, were also made homeless by Katrina.

Organizers have started a program dubbed Adopt-a-Family, which for $20,000 and volunteer labor, is rebuilding 900-square-foot homes and furnishing them. So far eight houses have been completed and over the next two years organizers are hoping to build 30 to 35 homes, but need to raise $600,000 to $700,000 to do it.

12/3/06

Salvation Army honors Bucks Mont Katrina Relief Project with "Others Award"

Commissioner Israel L. Gaither, the national commander of The Salvation Army USA, was the featured speaker at The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia Annual Luncheon. Making his first trip to Philadelphia, Commissioner Gaither inspired and challenged the more than 400 guests gathered in the Grand Ballroom of the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue.

During the presentation of the Others Award to the leaders of the Bucks-Mont Katrina Relief Project, the recipients were astonished when two officials from Hancock County, Mississippi - the community adopted by the project - walked onto the platform and participated in the presentation.

Emceed by WPVI-TV anchor Tamala Edwards, the luncheon also featured the presentation of the inaugural Doing the Most Good Community Leadership Awards to Erik Kolar and Michael O'Neill. After Captain Margaret Davis opened the event with a rousing vocal rendition of O Beautiful, Rev. Marguerite E, Handy gave the invocation. The benediction was pronounced by the Rev. W. Matthew Reed, from the Calvary Church of Souderton.

12/3 Adopt a Family Project

As residents of Bucks and Montgomery Counties, we're involved in several relief projects at once. See below.

Adopt a Family Restoring Families. Rebuilding our Neighbors’ Homes. BMKRP in conjunction with City Team Ministries and National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI) has identified families in Hancock County who have fallen through the cracks and are receiving little or no help from government programs or from their insurance providers. Their homes are uninhabitable.

And they need help! There is an organization of builders, contractors, and re-modelers in our community which is part of a national association known as NARI. They have volunteered to send groups down to Hancock County, Mississippi, to rebuild homes. Our field workers in Mississippi have identified those families most in need of assistance and are methodically verifying their situations.

For each identified family, approximately $20,000 is needed for supplies to rebuild their home. NARI will donate the professional labor. With family, funding, and NARI in place, our field workers complete a detailed assessment of the rebuilding project. Then they coordinate getting the necessary materials and supplies to the jobsite for the NARI team’s arrival.

Being able to make these purchases locally supports the local economy and creates jobs. Our field workers will provide living and eating arrangements for the NARI volunteers, so all they need to do is show up with tools in hand! With the project surveyed, the materials on site, and a team of professional builders, a family’s home can be rebuilt in just one week!

Here is how your Church can help.

1. Rebuild a family’s home by contributing all or a portion of the needed $20,000. This is a great opportunity to partner with local churches in your denomination or community.

2. Help restore the family by becoming the family’s support team:

· Pray for them

· Send a team to support the family and workers while building is in progress.

· Write letters of encouragement

· Get to know the family - send birthday cards e.g.

· Help them celebrate Christmas and other holidays

· Help them with all the “things” that need to go into a home after it’s rebuilt. · Identify their personal needs, i.e. baseball gloves, bikes, laptops, etc.

· Become their friends.

· Walk along side the family in their time of great need.

These are just a few of many possible ways to support our brothers and sisters on the Gulf Coast as they continue the struggle of rebuilding and restoring. Hurricane Katrina has taught us that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.

Please help rebuild their homes and restore their families. Many hands can lift a heavy load. Together, we can lift up the community of Hancock County, MS. Please join us.

Contact info:

Rev. Wayne Lynch, Religious Organizations Task Force Committee Chair

wklynch5@verizon.net 267-987-4258

mreed@calvary-church.com 215-723-0963

(O) Mary Lee Reiff, Religious Organizations Task Force Secretary

mlreiff@aol.com 215-348-9293

(H) Rich Timmons, Adopt a Family Coordinator 215-340-9090 ext 111 (O) rt@timmonsandcompany.com

7/7 A THANK YOU

Connie,

Thanks SOOO much for everything!

Words can't express my utmost gratitude and appreciation for the trip and your help with our community. Through all of the heartache, we have been blessed to have met so many wonderful people that have truly touched our hearts.

As we drove home today along the beach I told my husband that it really is different when you are away from this area and you get back home to see the devastation again is just unbelievable.

It was so great to get away for a few days.

Thanks again for everything and please know that you ALL are welcome to stay with us anytime!

With much love,

Natalie

6/27

Day Care Center Wish List, June 2006 Dear friends: Here are items and services we will need to finish the job of building a new day care center for our friends in Hancock County:

Masons to join Thompson team Fulfilled Money for masonry materials $15,000
Carpenters to install doors, windows, folding partitions and accessories (Perea Team)
Plastic laminate counters for lay-in sinks $10,000
Metal building insulation (approximately 10,500 S.F. 6”) donated EIFS or stucco contractor for a small job $10,000
Caulking Contractor $2,500
Waterproofing contractor $3,500
Exterior Windows $35,000
Interior glazing $5,000
Painting contractors (we have the paint) $6,000
VCT about 8500 S.F. donated
Cove Base about 2600 linear feet donated
Bath accessories $2,000
Toilet partitions $2,500
Folding Partitions $20,000
Wall guards $5,000
Ground mounted flag pole $3,500
York HVAC equipment, 4 and 5 ton split systems $20,000
Electrical fixtures, etc. $30,000

7/2

Happy 4th to all of you!

I just returned from the airport and thought it best to capture the moment. Before I begin, I want to congratulate Collette McBratney for the outstanding interview she gave this morning on WXTU about the Bucks Mont Katrina Project. I set the clock so I would not miss it. It was superb!! Thanks Collette on behalf of all of us involved in the project and especially the education committee.

It has been a very special week. Natalie and Tuck Skinner and their two daughters Kamden age 4 and Keeley age 2 arrived from Bay St. Louis. Natalie teaches Dance and has a state championship team. In addition, Gina and Troy Pepperman and their 2 year old son, John David, arrived the same day. Gina teaches computers at the middle school.

So I don't forget to tell you Gina's 8th grade students worked on a special project. Pearson publishers gave them a seminar on how to write a book. The students then took pictures and wrote all about Katrina. Pearson is publishing it as a coffee table book and it is due out in August. It is the school's way of trying to raise funds to help them get back on their feet. I told them to let me know when it is ready and we will see that they sell. They will be on the market through bookstores also. I also have a video made by the children that might help us get a benefit started this Fall. They need school equipment!!!

The week was packed. They arrived the night of June 27. Christine Yardley and her husband hosted the Skinner family in their home and the Byers hosted the Pepperman family in their guest house. Carol Boyd, the educational partner to Gina Pepperman, took the family under her wing when the Byers had to leave to go out of town. The welcome extended to each family by the Yardley's, Byers, the Boyds and Shelley Rosen exceeds the definition of hospitality. (I was in 2 days of workshops in King of Prussia).

The next morning each family picked up their donated rental cars. The family of Anne Biggs, Katrina Relief Project member, paid for the car rentals ( approximately $250). Each family was then given $100 cash donated by Christine Yardley's parents ($200 total) to pay for their gas and tolls for the duration of their stay.

Immediately after they received their cars, Natalie and Gina went to David Witchell's Spa in Newtown for a "Day of Beauty." The day included manicures, pedicures, facials, hair styling, and massages. The package was $300 per person if purchased and David donated both of them for a total of $600.

While in Newtown, Guy Mitchell provided lunch at the Temperance House to Natalie and Gina as well as two hosts. at no cost. They almost missed it due to a communication mix-up, but all worked out in the end.

While the ladies were getting beautiful, Christine Yardley took the Dads and kids, along with her own children, to the Philadelphia Zoo. The Dads enjoyed it as much as the kids.

The evening of the 27th, Christine Yardley and Shelley Rosen babysat so the two couples could have a romantic dinner for two and a movie afterward. Both the dinner and theater tickets were donated in the Quakertown area.

On the 28th, both families headed to Hershey. They linked up with people from Pittsburgh who also helped them from Waynesboro College. The weather was good and so was their day.

On the 29th, they enjoyed a day at Sesame Place which included Dinner with the characters. I think it is debatable who enjoyed it more...parents or children :o) In addition to the special dinner, Elmo had a warm greeting for the children!

On the 30th, the day began with a visit to Byers Choice escorted by Carol Boyd. Bob and Joyce Byers wanted Gina and Natalie to have a special gift to take home to remember their stay in Bucks County. They were thrilled and very appreciative.

Then it was my turn. I gathered up the families and along with Christine Yardley we headed to Philly. The parents had 2 requests the historical area and Geno' s steaks. We saw the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall and Betsy Ross' house. We saw where Ben is buried but time escaped too quickly. We also checked out a Taste of Philly, while saving the biggest part of our appetites for South Philly. Tuck and Natalie saw a segment on the Food Channel and wanted to see Geno's for themselves. I assure you when we got there it was more than just "seeing." In fact the guys ate one from Geno's and one from Pat's to compare. To add to the ambience a bride and groom arrived and ate one right there on the sidewalk just like everyone else. Tuck purchased his Geno tee shirt to make the memories last longer.

We ended the day with a car tour of Philly showing them the Art Museum, Boat House Row, the theater area, the sports complex, the museum area, and South Street. We circled City Hall several times for pictures of Billy Penn. Christine Yardley and I were the drivers.

In addition to the people already mentioned I owe a very special thanks to some wonderful people who helped me make the week what it was.

Let me begin with Mark Schweiker, President of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and his secretary Chris, who helped me network with the Franklin Institute and Hershey Park.

I will also be writing a thank you note Dr. Windt, CEO of the Franklin Institute who not only provided 27 complimentary museum passes, but matched the same in complimentary IMAX tickets, flight simulator tickets, and sky ride tickets. They will be used for the group arriving on July 16 as well.

Next, I will be thanking Mr. S. J. Newkam, CEO of Hershey Park and Mr. Bill Simpson, Director of Entertainment for 27 complimentary passes to Hershey Park.

Another special thanks goes to Jennifer Walkenbach, Director of Human Resources at Sesame Place, who made arrangements for 14 complimentary admission tickets and 14 dinners with the characters.

The Philadelphia Zoo admissions were also complimentary.

We listened to many stories over the past few days of recovery. While recovery has begun, the emotional devastation is still apparent. While at Byers Choice, Natalie asked Carol to take her to the Employee Wall of Fame so she could see the picture of the woman who made Christmas for her family. Even the men showed tears during some of the stories I heard.

As we approached the Delta drop off at the airport, my daughter Erin, a Guidance Counselor at William Tennent High school, told them not to get out since she had something she wanted to share with Gina and Troy. Natalie and Tuck went to the airport with Christine. At that Erin told them that she prepared something that would assure them that we were with them even in the distance. At that Erin played Faith Hill's, Mississippi Girl, and Erin's Mom cried as she hugged them and said good bye.

We now get ready for the next group arriving on July 16. To provide the same for the next group, your donations would be greatly appreciated.

Best wishes!
Connie

FUTURE
We want to--
· Optimize web site www.bucksmontkatrinaproject.org.
· Ensure Child Development Center moves from groundbreaking to ribbon cutting!
· Maximize marketing and fundraising related to magnetic ribbon design.
· Review landscape site plan and offer as sponsorship opportunities.
· Schedule onsite visits as needed. Identify need for teams to help with rebuilding.
· Reinforce partnership with The Salvation Army.
· Partner with Fred Beans Family of Dealerships on the Daycare Center Furnishings Project. Raised from generous employees is $76,085.
· Cultivate additional community and media relationships.
· Promote and provide Animal Shelter building plan.
· Review possible site and plan for a city park.
· Produce a PR/Marketing DVD.
· Educate, inform, and communicate with existing and new project supporters.
· Maintain communication/contact with key MS contacts.
· Determine best way to promote National Model.
· Revisit each sub-team, goals, and momentum plans.

Educator to Educator Partnership Program
In response to the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina, community leaders in the Bucks/Montgomery County, PA region formed the Katrina Relief Project. The communities of Bay St. Louis/Waveland, Hancock County, Mississippi were adopted to become the focus of volunteer efforts. This relief project is successfully offering direct assistance and financial support to our neighbors in Mississippi since its inception.

As the education branch of this project, we'd like to invite you to join with us in our effort to forge one-on-one relationships with the educators in our adopted communities. We can connect to other educators as no others can. We are looking for interested teachers, principals, and other educators, either active or retired, who are interested in being partnered with an educator from our target area.

Partnering ideas may include, but are not limited to:
· Ongoing e-mail or phone contact
· Sharing lessons, books, poems, instructional materials, comfort items, manipulatives
· Class to class contact
· Establish Pen-Pal Relationship
· Service learning opportunities Orientation sessions are planned to assist volunteers in this effort.

Educator to Educator Program in Need of Middle School Teachers
7/3
In addition, the Educator to Educator is picking up momentum. We need middle school teachers to help. We also need high school special education teachers. The two K-3 buildings are in fairly good shape with partners. Heckman Elementary School, in Neshaminy School District adopted Waveland Elementary. Individual teachers adopted the other school, teacher by teacher.

The high school librarians county wide adopted the librarian at Bay High and provided all of the special requests she had between them all. The PTO at Sol Feinstein Elem. School, in Council Rock, heard about the endeavors of the librarians and sent me a check for $1,000 for educational needs.

We paid for the new Bay High Volleyball uniforms in the amount of $2250. Peddler's Village gave me a donation of $1650. The Southeast Regional Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance teachers gave me $500 and the Bucks County Technical High School students gave $100.

We held two orientation meetings and I will be contacting them via email to give added support to the volunteers.

We need middle school teachers. We still have 14 middle level teachers without partners. Word of mouth is slow.

Apply now!
GROUP or INDIVIDUAL (circle one)
Your Name(s): K-3__ 4-5__ 6-8__ 9-12__

Email Address:
Name of School/School District:
In Bucks/Montgomery County PA submit to:
Dean Roberts,
email: dor4stef@verizon.net
4 Stefwalt Road
Hatboro, PA 19040

Questions: Please contact Connie Rinker 215-852-4439 or email: crinker209@aol.com.

Recently Opened Businesses

2006-05-18T19:36:00.000-04:00

Andy Chapman announces the opening of his web design company, BIG RIVER SYSTEMS. The website is www.bigriversystems.com. You can reach him the old fashioned way by calling 228-493-3282.

DELTA SANITATION can provide dumpsters for your rebuilding project. Give Darlene Gaubert a call at 228-818-5393.

GINA’S GOURMET GROCERY is offering a special 10% discount for party platters for Ribbon Cuttings. She offers a wide selection of delicacies like gourmet cheeses, stuffed artichokes, and olives. She also has gift baskets and balloon bouquets. Located at 998 Highway 90 next to Roseti’s Liquor Barrel, you can also give Gina a call at 228-216-1503

CAPITAL ONE MORTGAGE is the new name for Hibernia National Bank. You can find the same great customer service and friendly faces at their new permanent offices at 5411 Indian Hill Boulevard in Diamondhead. For more information on what’s new, call 228-255-4745.

Cynthia Mahner announces the opening of her new real estate company, C. MAHNER & CO., LLC. She is located at 22107 Nicholson Avenue in Waveland, and is available to help with all of your realty needs. Give her a call at 228-493-2852

Tom Cottom & Mike Mayo announce the reopening of COUNTRYSIDE ANTIQUES at 151 Hwy 90 in Waveland. A longtime favorite for beautiful antiques, the new hours will be OPEN-Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10AM-5PM and CLOSED-Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. For more information: Phone: 228-467-2338, email, antiqueswaveland@aol.com, website:http://www.csantiques.com/

IRBY ELECTRIC EXPRESS will cut its ribbon on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at 2:00 PM. This is an electrical distribution center-- new to Waveland--but in business since 1926. Welcome them to their latest location at 210 Highway 90, Suite GHNI. For more information, call 469-9540 .

Come see what shines at BAYOU JEWELERS as they celebrate their grand reopening on May 10, 2006 at 12:00 Noon. Located at 315 K Hwy 90 in Waveland, they are happy to be serving customers again. Give them a call at 228-466-8425

Catfish and Mississippi? Of course! CATFISH ONE has brought the two back together in Hancock County at their location at 485 Hwy 90 in Waveland. They are open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. For menu details, call them at 228-466-4960.
6/21 CATFISH ONE invites everyone to join them for their ribbon cutting on Thursday, June 15, 2006 at 4:00 PM.

RIBBON CUTTING: THE PET PANTRY, 315 Hwy. 90, Suite E, Waveland. Friday, April 28th, at 4PM. Info: 228-467-5995. Specializing in all types of pet supplies, toys, treats, and accessories. Also, products by WELLNESS, NUTRO, EUKANUBA, SCIENCE DIET, IAMS, and PURINA.

LIL’ RAY’S EXPRESS. 609 Highway 90, Waveland, MS. Take out only. Po-Boys, hamburgers, bar-g-que, kid stuff and side orders. Tables available outside for your dining pleasure. For even faster service, call-in or fax your order: Phone: 467-4566. Fax: 466-0139.

Allentown Rd VFD Helping WFD

2006-05-18T12:59:00.000-04:00

http://www.allentownroad.com/waveland/

Company 32 - 8709 Allentown Road Fort Washington, MD 20744 - (301) 248-7434

I can't grab their logo because it's animated - sorry guys!

No one can argue hurricane Katrina will go down in history as one of the most devastating natural disasters ever to hit the United States. Entire buildings, cities and counties were lost due to Katrina's ferocity. One of the hardest hit Fire Departments devastated by Hurricane Katrina was the Waveland Fire Department in Waveland, Mississippi.

We at Allentown Road Volunteer Fire Department wanted to do our part to contribute to relief efforts down on the Gulf Coast. A great deal of our fundraising for the Fire Department is done via our bingo we hold bingo three nights a week. We have decided the best way we could help do OUR part to help our Brothers down on Gulf Coast was to honor them by adding a game to our bingo program with proceeds from that game going DIRECTLY to the Waveland Fire Department to assist them in rebuilding and restocking their station.

We hold bingo every Sunday, Tuesday and Friday night. The doors open at 5:30 pm, FREE dinner is served about 6:00 pm and the fun begins at 7:15 pm.

Come help us help Waveland Fire Department rebuild their station. We are THE Family Bingo of Prince George's County. Come help us expand our bingo family to include the Waveland Fire Department

If you have any questions, comments, concerns or would like to help out in other ways, feel free to email us at WavelandSupport@allentownroad.com.

Mike, from Allentown Road Volunteer Fire Department stated they have raised $5000 so far toward assisting Waveland's FD in regaining its footing.

Volunteer Perspective

2006-05-17T12:33:00.000-04:00

The forgotten coast..!

How I got to BSL/Waveland.......I have a daughter, a junior in College. She is at Elon University in North Carolina. Right after the hurricane, her college mobilized a relief effort. One of the staff of the college was from Mississippi, not the coast, but knew many on the coast. This staff member organized the relief and went down there for a couple of days right after the storm to see what the needs were. He landed in BSL and Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Parish. The pastor is Father Michael Tracey. At this point, he was living in his car. OLG is located on the beach in BSL, right near the railroad bridge crossing, right by the town and Main Street. There are several schools on the grounds, a church, community center, the parishes offices and Father Tracey's home and several out buildings. OLG was luckier than most since the church was made of brick and stone, the walls held. The wooden older buildings were totally lost.

Elon Uviversity got a group together, of which my daughter was one. They arrived in early October and went right to Father Tracey. They brought tents, and two trucks of supplies, for themselves and of course for the people. They cleared some land right by the church and set up camp. This entire experience touched these kids so much that they have returned many times, both as a college group and many others as individuals. This is where I came in.

My daughter and I went over Christmas break on our own. We also went back over Spring break. We organized out of Our Lady of the Gulf. This parish has had two volunteer coordinators, both of whom are VOLUNTEERS. One is named Dan Wilkins, from Atlanta area and one named Dan Quinn, from Pittsburgh. Dan Quinn is still there heading up the effort. Both of these men just got in their cars one day and landed there, and stayed. Dan Wilkins has gone back to Atlanta, but heads up an effort through his church there to send funds to OLG.

Father Michael Tracey, the pastor lost not only his house and the parish offices but also has the entire parish to worry about. The reconstruction at the parish is going very well. The walls of the church stayed up, but the inside was gutted. It is presently being repaired. The parish community center has been the center of the reconstruction and has been worked on by hundreds of volunteers, if not thousands. The Catholic Parishes around the country have "adopted" this parish and sent money and manpower. The volunteers who show up at OLG are also sent out into the community by Dan Quinn.

My daughter and I have met and stayed in touch with many of the people we have met. We have a real interest in the future of this area and its awesome people. We have been able to help people first gut and clean out their homes and now we are starting the rebuildng process. Like yourself, I'm sure, words cannot express what this entire experience has meant to us. We all went there to help the people and without knowing it they have helped us. Our last time there, third week of March, some of the stores were open and we shopped and found ourselves in stores with many other volunteers from all over the country. The owners of these little boutique stores were just floored at how much the volunteers have brought to the area. It is the volunteers who are helping the economy.

I plan on returning about the third week of June. I am not sure how long I will stay. We have been fortunate enough to be able to stay in several trailers on the OLG property. These trailers were formerly occupied by Father Tracey, who has since found an apartment and several were donated in the early days by good Samaritans from Wisconsin. However, we have just heard that several Bed and Breakfasts, in town have reopened and would welcome volunteers. We may help them get started this time, by booking a room there. My son will be going with me this time. Many of the college groups stay at the ICare, Morrell Village, in Buccaneer State Park, in Waveland. I'm sure you know of it.

Not being there day to day I wouldn't know exactly of all the needs, but it seems right now, that individual people need help with rebuilding their homes. I understand materials are hard to come by. I do know that a group of the Amish sect are helping rebuild and have committed for a four year time period. I have kept in touch with a woman who is having her house built by them on Waveland Avenue. So I would guess building supplies are a real need right now.

The only way to keep interest alive in this area is through the Media. I do know that once you go there you have a pull to return and one person brings 5 the next time they come. I am actually impressed with the volunteer effort, but of course, it is mostly church based and private groups. Nothing through the Government. Of Course, the Insurance companys are a disgrace, but nothing we all can do about them. Many across this country think this area should not be rebuilt, they think it is below sea level, which it isn't, they think it is NO, which it is not. They don't understand that this is HOME to many. Why do people stay in Ca. or like myself on the coast of Fla? The people who I have met have lived there for generations. Their Mom and family live on the next street. You are not going to get entire families to move out of there. Many feel our TAX money should not be going to these people to rebuild. What a sorry old story. If they only knew that it was private money and volunteers from all over this country who are rebuilding. I have been able to raise a small amount of money and donated it to OLG. From what I can see, not too much TAX money is going to this effort.

Thanks for your effort.

Peggy D
Naples, Fla.

Waveland Animal Shelter

2006-05-17T08:22:00.000-04:00

Waveland Animal Shelter
322 Gulfside St
Waveland, MS 39576
228-467-0230

12/22 An accurate view of the Coast, not just NOLA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G5ssfTOIu4

10/12
The Associated Press
Hancock County has stopped providing funds to the Waveland Animal Shelter after learning the shelter had refused to accept stray animals collected by the county, officials said.
The shelter has been funded mostly through a joint effort between Waveland, Bay St. Louis and Hancock County, but the Hancock Board of Supervisors recently voted to stop providing its portion of the money.
Last week, supervisors began a search for available land to build a shelter.
"We're not going to pay for something that we can't use," Supervisor Lisa Cowand said.
County officials said the shelter has been declared a no-kill shelter, meaning animals are held for months while waiting to be adopted or transported to other shelters throughout the country.
Shelter director Renee Lick said the facility is not a no-kill shelter, but she conceded there have been times when the shelter was full and could not accept county animals.
"Yes, there have been some times when that's happened, but we are going to have to start putting animals down again," she said. "We just can't keep holding them as long as we have been."
Carol Strohmetz, president of Friends of the Waveland Animal Shelter, said animal activists who came to help after Katrina struck last year turned the shelter into a no-kill facility, which has contributed to the overpopulation of stray animals in the county. "Even though I hate euthanasia, we can't afford to be a no-kill shelter; it's just not practical," she said.

I spoke with Michelle on 5/16 about their needs and any progress she'd like to report.
She'll be e-mailing more information, but her immediate thoughts were as follows:

Volunteers to help with repairs and to move equipment from the damaged site to the new site.
Bleach
Paper Towels
Leashes (may be gently used)
Collars (may be gently used)
FOOD - adult dog and cat kibble (No red dye please)
FOOD - Kitten and Puppy chows ( No red dyes please)
FOOD - Kitten and Puppy Formula

I would also guess bedding materials such as old towels, carpet remnants, etc. and toys. But, I'll add those when I hear from her in the next few days.

Insect Control and Tolerance

2006-05-14T22:16:00.000-04:00

I just got my Campmor catalog this last week and thought I'd share some ideas that aren't so expensive to buy and just might save some peoples' sanity or skin. The only 3 things I'm going to recommend, and they don't have to come from this catalog, are: The packtowel - super light and dries fast. GREAT. The bug head cover. Bugs in your ears is the worst. Solar shower. The one I show is the largest in the catalog. Allows for more showers in a row than smaller ones. But with showers being a limited resource, this is NOT a bad thing to take along.

You can see them yourself at www.campmor.com. You can also look for them at www.sierratradingpost.com or www.rei.com. I just happen to have the campmor catalog in front of me is all.

First will be mosquito/bug clothing. It's all pretty cheap. Honest. Compared to the comfort you'll have, it's cheap.

Bug Pants. # 82171 $19.99
Bug Top # 82170 $19.99

Bug Socks # 82172 $9.99

Bug Head Cover # 81276 $4.99

Bug Repellants:

DEET Free 4 oz. # 82151 $6.99 (Left)

31% DEET 2.5 oz #84830 $8.95

Shower stuff

Solar Shower Bag # 22320 $24.99

PackTowel 27x50 #99623 $27.05

Camp Second Helpin' Update

2006-05-14T21:57:00.000-04:00

www.remareinforcements.blogspot.com

12/13
Hello everyone, and Seasons Greetings from the sunny gulf coast…I bring exciting news along with well wishes…As of January 1st. Camp Second Helpin' will be relocating and reopening with many new and exciting changes…We will be located at St. Mary's on Beach blvd. in Waveland, Mississippi and now we will be able to offer dorm style housing for volunteers coming down to rebuild with the ability to house between 200-250 people, along with an industrial mobile kitchen, things are looking very good…. We will still be a community center open to the public, but now we will be able to work towards offering more things to the public, such as a food bank and a free clothing outlet. I would like to thank all of you that have not forgotten us, and special hugs to those that have contacted us about coming down, or passing info on to those that are interested in coming down.We have had many exciting inquiries as of late…for those that would like to learn more about our non-profit family community center you can check out our web site (which is in the process of getting revamped) at:http://web-publishing.org/katrinarecovery/index.phpOr if you have any questions you can reach Ron-administrator at 228-342-8834 or me at 228-239-6338 we would love to see some Good Hearted, Hard Working Brothers and Sisters come help bring hope and happiness into the lives of people we may never have reached before…Rising from the dust will come a tribe of Rainbow Warriors lending a hand and leading the way to a new world…Lets grasp this opportunity to truly make a difference……Much Love Family…Momma KaBoom
12/11
Camp Second Helpin' will be re-opening after January 1st on it's new site. The community center will be our major Day time function, but we will have the capabilities to house and feed 200-250 volunteers. We will be using a commercial Kitchen to cook out of, show movies, satellite TV, Internet access, Hot showers and environment controlled sleeping barracks. On the site we also have the option to build a brick and mortar community center that will become a permanent fixture within Waveland. We have taken advantage of the last 2 months to find corporate sponsors, alocate monies for a building fund, and constant support

9/15 From Ron
I'll attempt to give an administrative perspective on this. In the 9 months we have been here in Hancock County we have had 18 actual Rainbow volunteers (I kept records of volunteers), of these, 5 established themselves and left a good lasting effect and impression.
A Quote from our Bloomington Tribe website:
http://web-publishing.org/Bloomingtontribe/index.php
We are now presently screening volunteers before they come due to obvious reasons. To everyone. "It is not simply our duty to walk lightly upon our Mother Earth but we must understand that we are Ambassadors for all the Family Tribal members that follow in our footsteps." Leave that light behind for all to follow, be the light for the path ahead." (Firelight)

A space to use alcohol and other things off-site was allotted but abuse of policy still happened. We asked 2 volunteers to leave because they had predatory actions and intentions. 3 left on their 1st day because the work ahead was so overwhelming. On 3 occasions kitchen equipment walked off-site, resulting in an overtaxed staff to have to stay up at nights to run security.

Americorp - We fed 2 rotations of Americorp volunteers (Totally for FREE) with no complaints. We were told when we first set up on Coleman Ave. that we had the city's support for things like porta-potties, Dumpsters, etc… Unfortunately, they didn't have it to give. Mayor Tommy Longo hooked us up with Americorp, with a monetary proposition for us to be "THEIR" kitchen. We could run our community center offsite but minors were not allowed on their site for insurance reasons.

Since Momma's kids are here, this was unacceptable, so their volunteers came to our site to eat and recreate. We had expanded our operation to house volunteer groups and are working with the Knights of Columbus. As a result we have housed Catholic High school & College students.

As always, donations are a very welcome thing since we do not charge for food or lodging. Go to:
http://web-publishing.org/katrinarecovery/index.php For information on how to donate...

9/6 - From Momma Kaboom
We've been here 9 months now and it's been one hot Summer that is for sure, but thankfully no severe weather as of yet. But I'm not here for small talk; I want to make a plea.
Our building fell through, yes this is sad, but it's far from the end of our journey. We are working on funding the building of a building for the community center that is why I write today. To make a plea, to all of you wonderful people that have been following our journey, if each of you made a small donation because as you know, every dollar helps, we will be that much closer to actually building.
I am sure you hear of all the progress made in New Orleans, just last week they said on the news that 700 restaurants have opened again since Katrina. Waveland is still so wiped out, with 90% of it's residential, and commercial buildings, just destroyed. Look at any number of fully functioning communities that have community center, or food kitchens, why? Because there is such a need even with a sound structure to support those going through hard times.
For the people of Hancock County there haven't been such a strong need for community support since Camille. After the storm it took people from all parts of the country to reach out and lend a hand, but we all need to continue to do this even in small ways.
That's why I make this plea to you now, if you could donate just a dollar, what a difference it would begin to make in giving this community want it needs and deserves. Just think, you could help make the difference.
Please keep in mind that no amount of carrying signs, marching, meditation, prayer, signing petitions, or voting will ever carry as much power as helping one person gut out her ruined house, or feeding a single mother at the end of another stressful day of red-taping it to a Fema trailor. This is a chance to extract yourself from our traditionally divided and materialistic American culture, shake off the stagnant mundane, and participate in true community building during a time of suffering and hardship. We are a registered Non-Profit with the state of Mississippi (see Link) https://secure.sos.state.ms.us/busserv/corp/soskb/Agent.asp?3157996
You May donate VIA our Paypal account on paypal to: webmaster@web-publishing.org/ firelight10101@yahoo.com
ATTN:Camp Second Helpin
Please help if you can... $1.00 or $10.00 sent by enough people can make a HUGE dent in our operation cost. Send this plea out to everyone. We are in Waveland and making a difference!
Momma Kaboom
Better known as Spring

8/2 - Update About Their Move from Waveland to BSL
Yes we have a moving date, We will be going to our holding site this Fri. Aug. 4. And we will be going to St. Augustine [Seminary] on the 1st of Sep. It has a real kitchen, dining hall, Gym (for showing movies, dances etc.) All we ever hoped for . We have a commitment from them for 2 years it also has indoor dormitory's to house volunteers.

The Knights of Columbus are helping them get a permanent spot in Bay St. Louis – sounds like it might even be a building and not the desert tents they are in.

Ron Parsons - firelight10101@yahoo.com; 228-342-8834. No charge – they don’t believe in charging people for coming to do service.

7/31 An Update From Tammi - another Rainbow Volunteer!

http://braegan.homeschooljournal.net/2006/07/31/monday-the-24th-off-to-waveland/

Regan sleeping in a Pass bunkhouse.

We thought we might have more work to do before we left today but more volunteers came than was expected. It is amazing how well this runs - they really have a great system where they can just plug people into the various jobs. For us, it was the dining tent. For others, they go out an help gut and then rebuild homes.

We took off for Waveland. It is west of Pass Christian. Unfortunately, the bridge between the cities is still out - many bridges still are - a year later. There are other ways around which we found easily. We chose to drive to Bay St. Louis before hitting Waveland. It is in better shape than the Pass, and Waveland, too. Still rebuilding, as well.

Camp Second Helpin’ is a community center for families, young and old. They provide lunch and dinner, and various activities for all ages. They are in desert tents donated by the Knights of Columbus, on the American Legion property. The greatest need is bottled water. You can wash in the tap water, but drinking it is not advised. They have just been donated a bus for mobile meals, and they are obtaining a more permanent building and site in Bay St. Louis.

Waveland was like a bomb hit it - still, almost a year later. There are trailers on many plots of land where homes once stood. In the Pass, it looks like many people razed and abandoned, are selling, etc. Here in Waveland, it seems people are staying, even in trailers. City Hall is in trailers. It is unbelievable. Worse than what I saw in parts of Haiti.

The leaders of this effort are a homeschooling family, with three kids. Regan and Braeden had a great time with them, learned how to play Risk, Clue and Uno with them, and they had a hard time saying goodbye. I like that Regan and Braeden are learning that they can make friends anywhere. We left on Wednesday the 26th for New Orleans.

Greetings from Camp Second Helpin'!

Our new mailing addy is:
Camp Second Helpin Attn: Ron Parsons
208 Coleman Ave.
Waveland MS. 39576

We are a regestered Non-Profit with the state of Mississippi (see Link) https://secure.sos.state.ms.us/busserv/corp/soskb/Agent.asp?3157996

You May also help by donating VIA our Paypal account on paypal to: webmaster@web-publishing.org
ATTN: Camp Second Helpin'

Please help if you can... $1.00 or $10.00 sent by enough people can make a HUGE dent in our operation cost. Send this plea out to everyone.

We need more love put into this.
http://remareinforcements.blogspot.com/
http://web-publishing.org/Bloomingtontribe/index.php

much love to the family, hoping to hear more from ya'll...

Momma KaBoom

Coastal Community Watch

2006-05-14T21:56:00.000-04:00

A sample of how banding together WORKS! The full history of this saga (which is ongoing) is at their blog. You can click on the title above to go directly to it.

1/2
Hi Leslie,
Best Wishes from the New Year from Coastal Community Watch (http://www.coastalcommunitywatch.blogspot.com).
Our membership keeps growing and so does our list of activities.
Here's a few on-going projects:
1. We've come up with an on-line candidate's forum - sort of a one-stop-shop for voters. We gave it a dry run with the November elections in Waveland. The forum got rave reviews from both candidates and voters. We're hoping this type of site will catch on along the coast - it can be an easy and free tool for any community. Check it out: http://www.servewaveland.blogspot.com (and if any group out there is interested in starting one for their community or specific focus, we'll be glad to share ideas).
2. Along with many other groups, we participated in a national campaign to stop a change in wetlands regulations along the Mississippi Coast. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15305378/). Our own "neck of the woods" has seen a struggle with the Corp over wetlands regulation enforcement (http://coastalcommunitywatch.blogspot.com/2006/06/wetlands-red-alert.html )
3. We're closely watching an appeal before the State Supreme Court. It will decide whether developments like this one (http://www.mississippi-condos.com) are allowed to build on 1100 acres of our Hancock coastal wetlands. (http://coastalcommunitywatch.blogspot.com/2006/04/zoning-appeal.html).
4. This year we're planning a campaign for urgently needed property tax protections for Coast residents - ( http://coastalcommunitywatch.blogspot.com/2006/10/property-tax-protection.html). Please contact us if you or your group would be interested in helping.

If y ou'd like to join our group (it's free and entirely internet based, so there are no meetings or dues), just click here (http://coastalcommunitywatch.blogspot.com/2006/10/to-join-ccw.html ).
Happy New year to you all and here's to a New Coast, one where citizen activism shapes the future.

10/23
Please pass this letter along to your own mailing lists and urge your friends to keep it going. It's one chain letter that might actually do some good!

Dear Friends and Family,

Many of you around the country were moved by the loss that Katrina brought to our beloved Gulf Coast. You've helped in numerous ways - we couldn't have come as far as we have without your help. Each resident here will carry a great debt of gratitude to our graves.
Now we're asking for more help. The Corps of Engineers wants to change the way wetlands permits are regulated in South Mississippi. This MSNBC article explains the crisis: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15305378/
Anyone who watches the news is aware of how important our wetlands are for flood and wind protection during hurricanes. But they're a vital part of our economy as well. Now, in a rush to rebuild, we're being urged to make it easier for developers to fill in these irreplacable resources. If Katrina taught us anything, it's that conservation costs less than convenience.
Here on the Coast, we're working hard to recover, but it seems like each day brings new obstacles and we're all pretty tired. It's been a very long year. Don't let us lose what little we have left to short-sighted government policies. You can help with just a few simple actions.
1. Take the time and write a letter to protest this misguided attempt to "streamline" the permit process. Or you can use the sample below.
2. Send the same letter to all the addresses listed below.
3. Look up the e-mail addresses of the elected leaders in your own state (http://www.house.gov/ and http://www.senate.gov/ ) and send copies to them as well.
4. And forward this to anyone who has a heart for the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Thank you!
Ellis Anderson
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

You can use this sample letter to the Corps - just copy and paste.

To the Corp of Engineers:
This letter is in regards to the proposed change to the wetlands permitting process in Mississippi (SAM - 2006 - 2181 - JWS).
I urge you to act as stewards of this valuable resource that was entrusted to you by the citizens of the U.S. and the residents of Mississippi and leave the wetlands permitting regulations as they currently stand. I also ask that you extend the period for public comment for 30 additional days and hold at least one public hearing on the matter.
I realize that the Mobile office of the Corps is understaffed, so I'm also urging our federal elected officials to provide special aid to the Mobile Office and provide you with needed assistance to carry out responsible permitting and enforcement proceedings under current regulations.
Thank you,
Send it to all the addresses listed below, as well as to your own state's members of Congress.
Corps Public Comment:
dll-cesam-rd-pn@sam.usace.army.mil
Colonel Pete Tayor, Commander:
peter.f.taylor.col@sam.usace.army.mil
MS Department of Marine Resources:
Bill Walker - Executive Director:
bill.walker@dmr.state.ms.us
Joseph Runnels:
joseph.runnels@dmr.state.ms.us
Public Officials:
Senator Trent Lott:
cheryl_shaw@lott.senate.gov
Congressman Gene Taylor:
stephen.peranich@mail.house.gov
******************************************

To: Colonel Pete Taylor, Commander
U.S. Army Engineer District, Mobile
P.O. Box 2288Mobile, AL 36628-0001
SUBJECT: Out-of-Compliance Filling of Wetlands at Bayou Caddy,
Hancock County, Mississippi; Permit No. MS00-02528-U

Dear Colonel Taylor:

I am writing to express the grave concern of the Coastal Community Watch (CCW) on this subject. CCW is an 800+ member citizens group dedicated to monitoring development along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Documents received this week from the Mobile District have confirmed that the subject permit, executed in 2002 to fill 2.7 acres of tidal wetlands, was for the stated purpose of expanding Bayou Caddy Fisheries, a seafood business. The 2.7 acres were only recently filled, and it is now apparent that the intended purpose of the filling is to build a high-rise condominium development. The documents also stipulate that the permitted work was to have been completed by 15 May 2004, which it obviously was not.

We believe there is no question that the subject permit is invalid for the permittee’s current filling activity, both from the standpoint of its stated purpose and its lack of timeliness. We request that your office take immediate and appropriate action to revoke this permit and instruct the permittee to restore the 2.7 acres of wetlands to their original condition.

We are aware that your Regulatory Division has done some investigating into this out-of-compliance matter. We request that Mr. Frank Hubiak of your office be involved in this investigation and that the investigation include whether the permittee has complied with other aspects of his agreement, such as his mitigation plan and the installing of a pump-out facility at the 900 foot dock site on Bayou Caddy.

If the permittee wishes to pursue a new permit to fill wetlands for the purpose of a condo development, he should be required to submit such an application and have it be subjected to the normal permitting process, with opportunity for public comment.

We would appreciate a prompt response to our concerns.

Sincerely,
Robert L. Davis
Bay St. Louis, MS

Copy to:
1) Senator Trent Lott
2) Congressman Gene Taylor
3) Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
∑ Mr. Bill Walker, Executive Director
∑ Mr. Joe Runnels
∑ Mr. Vernon Asper
4) U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service

Update: 6/29 Here's a letter several of our members received in response from the Corps:

From: "Bunkley, William R SAM"
Date: June 27, 2006 1:15:23 PM CDT
Subject: Bayou Caddy

Thank you for conveying your comments and concerns regarding the on-going construction at the former Bayou Caddy Fisheries site in Waveland. The Corps is aware of the planned change of use at the site and has been in contact with the developer regarding non-compliance with the Department of the Army permit issued in 2002 for expansion of the seafood processing facility. Based upon our evaluation of the site, the wetlands that have been filled at the site do not exceed those authorized by the original permit. However, the developer has been notified that any use of the site other than construction of a seafood processing or similar facility will not be in compliance with the permit and a new permit application will be required for the alternative proposal. When submitted, the new proposal will be placed on public notice and undergo a full public interest review and reevaluation prior to rendering a permit decision.

Once again, thanks for your comments regarding the Regulatory Program.

William R. BunkleyChief, Inland Branch
Regulatory Division
Mobile District Corps of Engineers
Phone: 251-694-3780
Fax: 251-690-2660

Bay/Waveland School District

2006-05-14T21:54:00.000-04:00

New Article At End of Post
www.bwsd.org

11/8 - Bay High Getting Grant Money
Coast will get $8M in grants
Money for school, accounting
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BILOXI - The Mississippi Gulf Coast is receiving an additional $8 million in federal money as part of the Hurricane Katrina recovery effort, FEMA announced Wednesday.
"Two of these grants will rebuild school buildings and the third will help the state improve its accounting for taxpayer dollars being expended in this recovery effort," said Nick Russo, federal coordinating officer for the Mississippi recovery.
FEMA said the total cost of the three projects is $8.9 million, 90 percent coming from the federal government.
State and local sources will split the nonfederal share on the two school projects. The state will pay the 10 percent of the third project.
More than $1.03 million in FEMA funds will go to repair the social studies building and almost $1.02 million to repair the math building at Bay High School in Bay St. Louis. Officials said the projects will restore the school to its pre-disaster design, capacity and function, including required code upgrades. The project costs take into account estimated insurance proceeds and salvaged items.
MEMA will receive $5.97 million as a federal share of the $6.64 million total cost for an accounting firm to help cities, counties and eligible private nonprofit corporations make sure recovery money is being spent properly.
"These accounting oversight and compliance services are essential in enabling Mississippi to manage and audit its reconstruction efforts in an open and effective manner," said Mike Womack, MEMA's interim director.
The grants come from FEMA's Public Assistance program, which provides financial assistance to state and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations for disaster cleanup and rebuilding efforts.
8/26
Esthers an outreach organization for single mothers, connected with Stacey Cato of The Giving Circle, Inc, volunteering with TGC applicants in Waveland who are single moms. After hearing that the Waveland/Bay St Louis area school children had uniforms prior to Katrina, Esthers offered to replace these. The Giving Circle has distributed hundreds of new Khaki pants and white shirts donated by Esthers for the students of the Waveland Bay St Louis area.

From the Superintendent,Dr. Kim Stasny
8/8
All buildings took on water from the storm surge or from extensive roof damage. The waters left behind thick mud that contaminated all areas of the buildings. High humidity and temperatures exceeding a heat index of 100 degrees lasted for days after the storm. Mold and mildew grew rapidly and spread to furniture, walls, ceilings, and A/C ductwork. Mechanical equipment on every campus was damaged by the salt water, rendering them dangerous and useless.
The infrastructure for both the wide area and local area networks was destroyed. Servers were damaged beyond repair, along with most computers and monitors throughout the district. Anything made of paper became contaminated with mold and mildew and had to be disposed. Legs of desks were pitted by the salt water and began rusting immediately, sometimes adhering to the floor. Ceiling tile sagged and floor tile buckled from humidity and water. Loss of buildings and contents has been estimated at $40M. Insurance, FEMA, and MEMA will cover some costs but not all.

Grade configurations will remain the same as before the storm until rebuilding is complete.
* North Bay and Waveland Elementary Community Schools (grades K-3)
* Second Street Elementary School (grades 4 + 5)
* Bay-Waveland Middle School (grades 6 - 8)
* Bay High School (grades 9 - 12)
* Bay-Waveland Alternative School (grades 4 - 12)

By May 2006, 62% of the pre-Katrina school population had returned. The district is planning for an 80% return rate during the '06-'07 school year.
Local revenue has decreased by at least 50%, creating strained budgets and overall belt tightening.
We hope you will consider a donation amount to aid in our recovery. Please send your check or money order to the following address:

Any donation amount will aid in our recovery.

Please send your check or money order to the following address:

Katrina Relief Fund
Bay St. Louis-Waveland School District
201 Carroll Avenue
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520

If you would like to speak to someone about our efforts, please call 228-467-4439.

Where we are:
As I reflect on the past eleven months, we've accomplished many goals. The following facts may give you a snapshot of our progress.
As of August 7, 2006, our school enrollment has reached 65.5% of pre-storm numbers. Out of 2,380 students, 1,560 have returned.
Most of our students (96%) now qualify to eat free. Prior to the storm, only 60% of our students qualified.
Estimates for recovery have exceeded $40M. This includes rebuilding two elementary schools and renovating others.
Our tax base revenue is expected to be 50 to 65% less than previous years. Until families rebuild and businesses reopen, local contribution will be insufficient.
Unemployment in Hancock County has increased from 4.9% to 20.6%.
We've been able to replace 120 computers out of the 800 we lost.
We only have two cafeterias in operation. Food is transported to two campuses and students from the high school walk to the middle school to eat.

Contact Information
Telephone
228-467-4459
Postal address
201 Carroll Ave. Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
Electronic mail
Webmaster: mailto:cpurl@bwsd.org
http://katrinanetworking.blogspot.com/2005/12/box-tops-for-education.html

8/8
School was back in session for the Bay-Waveland School District Monday. Superintendent Kim Stasny said enrollment is up nearly six percent for the district since the last day of school in May. Overall enrollment is 66 percent of the total at the beginning of school last year, she said. Echo staff photo by Dwayne Bremer.
Aug 7, 2006, 16:58

Eight Days of Hope

2006-05-14T21:52:00.000-04:00

www.eightdaysofhope.com

3/13 - 8 Days of Hope IV will be announced March 26th!

1/10
News from Camp Gulfside
In December, Camp Gulfside was honored to host the group 8 Days of Hope. The Tupelo, Miss., group of volunteers started with one guy, Steve Tybor, who every Christmas went to Central America to do mission work.
After listening to a Christian Family radio station in Tupelo that sent out a call for help, he felt led to work at home in Mississippi this year.
The group rotates volunteers in and out every day and to date has sent a total of 600 people who have worked on approximately 141 homes, including nine for Camp Gulfside. This is their third trip to our area.
Our camp was to house 10 but as things progressed we gratefully ended up housing approximately 25 volunteers per night for the eight-day time frame.
The group was awesome; not only did they work jobs, they sent over people to clean the camp before they left and helped with every chore that needed to be done.
We are sincerely grateful to 8 Days of Hope for all they accomplished in such a short time and welcome them back to Camp Gulfside on their eight days of hope.
- Debbie Strickland
Strickland of Waveland is the Western Coast regional coordinator
.
11/7
The event is coming upon us quicker than we think. We are just five weeks away from our third missions trip to the gulf coast.

If you haven't volunteered yet I encourage you to do so. Logistically we need to plan for food, lodging and other items. As of today we have roughly 100 people signed up for this event.

In the flesh that is disappointing to me yet I know that America has heard and seen enough of Hurricane Katrina for quite some time. Most probably feel that the coast is doing great in its recovery.

Let me encourage you that the statement you just read is wrong. The need is still great and will be for years! 85% of all of the homeowners are still not in their homes. Many of these people are still living in trailers, fifteen months after the hurricane!

I urge you to please consider coming to the coast with us for at least three days. If you have been with us before you know how fulfilling it is for your soul to see people smile who haven't smiled in a long time. I know that God is going use us in a mighty way regardless if there is 100 or 500.

If you can't make it please consider using our brochures and flyers to promote this event in your church. Pleas email me back if you would like one of these tools.

Please reread 1st Peter 4:10. Let us all use the gifts God has given us to bless and serve the gulf coast!

May God bless you!

Stephen Tybor III
Update - 10/3
8 Days of Hope III will be December 15th - 22nd!
Yes, we are going back to the gulf coast!

http://www.eightdaysofhope.com/ has all of the information. Volunteers are being accepted!

Please take the time to look at the pictures posted on the site. If you have one or two pictures you would like to share please don't hesitate to forward them to us so we can possibly include them on the site. When sending the pictures please give us any information about the volunteers and the site they were working on. We would love to post a couple hundred pictures on the site!

Also, we are working on two videos for the website and are hoping that they will be on our site in the next two weeks. You will be able to download this for your use or to help promote 8 Days of Hope.

The leadership of 8 Days of Hope has been blessed by AFA/AFR once again. We recently have been given office space in Tupelo Ms. where we will be staffing with two part time people. One being Peggy Hodges. We will be setting up our own phone lines and equipping the office.

God has blessed us with so much. We have been good stewards of the dollars God has blessed us with. Any dollars donated to 8 Days of Hope I and 8 Days of Hope II paid for the logistics of the events with our main expense being the building materials. Yet we believe that God wants us to extend our ministry. We would like to build an organization that can respond to any national disaster in 30 days. Imagine an earthquake in California, a hurricane in Tampa or a forest fire in Colorado. We believe that God is calling us to be READY to use the gifts he has blessed us with in order to serve and love His people. We could be at any of those areas within a short time period with the network of people that God has brought together.

We are asking for your help. If you feel called to help us set up our office and add two part time staff people would you consider donating to 8 Days of Hope as we expand this ministry? We will not use any dollars donated to 8 Days of Hope I and II for these positions. If you can please send a donation to 8 Days of Hope PO 3208 Tupelo Ms., 38803. In the memo section of your check please write "office."

If you live locally we are looking for your help this Saturday (Oct. 7th) for four hours from 8-12 am. We will be painting and cleaning this office before we move our furniture, desks and other items over the next week. Please email me back if you can help. If you are in the furniture business we could use some desks and other miscellaneous furniture items. We also could use some lights. Please email me back for more information.

This email was meant to encourage you to do three things:

1.) Volunteer for 8 Days of Hope III
2.) Urge you to become a financial supporter of 8 Days of Hope as an ongoing ministry.
3.) To come and help this Saturday or to donate furniture and office furniture.

BUT.......The most important thing we ask is PLEASE continue to pray for this ministry. God continues to open huge doors for us. It is not an accident or a coincidence that this is happening. It is for HIS glory!

Bless you!

See you on the coast!

Stephen Tybor III
Update 6/29
In June of 2006, over 1,140 volunteers from 37 states and three countries descended upon the gulf coast of Mississippi with the intentions of aiding as many people as possible in rebuilding of their homes still damaged by Hurricane Katrina. An eight day trip that was meant to be a one time trip in December of 2005 had literally doubled in size and tripled in man hours!

Two hundred and sixty projects were completed in two hundred and two homes. These homes were located in Gulfport, Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Pass Christian and Pascagoula.

Some of the highlights of this project include the following:
*4,150 pieces of sheetrock/drywall were installed
*700 squares of roofing shingles were installed
*15 homes were completely rewired because of the flood damage
*25 additional homes had some type of electrical work done
*Hundreds of rolls of insulation were installed
*Over 80 homes had extensive carpentry work done
*Many homes were gutted and cleaned
*17 homes were primed and painted

As one can see the volunteers showed up to work! In fact over 30,000 man hours were used during 8 Days of Hope II.

The stories of tears being shed, lives being touched and homeowners praying with the volunteers were endless. We realized on June 3 when we left that we came to bless yet we were the ones who were truly blessed! We came to encourage these towns and when we left we were encouraged by the resiliency, the determination and the joy that many of these homeowners exhibited. A special thank you to American Family Association/AFR and TGI Fridays.

American Family Radio has once again helped us get the word out. Without their support we know our volunteer numbers would be 15% of what they are. They have been a proud sponsor of 8 Days of Hope since day one!

TGI Fridays was kind enough to bring us lunch every day we were on the coast. They provided lunch for all 1,140 volunteers! They also donated $75,000 to 8 Days of Hope II. Without these monies we would only have accomplished half as much!

Many have asked when we are going back. We will publish the dates for 8 Days of Hope III by the end of July. Please refer back to this website for those dates.

Please do not look to man and what we accomplished during this second trip to the coast. In the first book of Peter 4:10, he tells us to use the gifts God has given us to minister to one another. 8 Days of Hope II used these verse as our call. Some people did this with a hammer and a paint brush while others did it with a smile and a listening ear. We all used our gifts that God has blessed us with. 8 Days of Hope continues to be His project and His ministry.
May God bless you and may God bless the Gulf Coast!
Steve Tybor III

Update May 15
Greetings!

We are about two weeks away and our numbers are growing. As of yesterday we are approaching 700 volunteers. God is good! That is slightly more than our first trip but with the requirement of a volunteer staying for a minimum three days we will actually be able to do about 30% more work. Get ready! Your going to be blessed beyond any beach trip you have been on in the past!

We will be doing most of our work in the Waveland, Bay St. Louis and Gulfport Ms. areas. We will be emailing you directions on where to check in along with some last minute instructions on May 23rd.

EightDaysOfHope@aol.com

Baby Items Needed

2006-05-14T21:40:00.000-04:00

Funny how life goes on regardless of the situation, isn't it?

There are several babies being born in and around Pearlington in the coming weeks and months. I have a contact - Amy Coyne, who is willing to be the contact person to help distribute items such as:

Baby Blankets
Layettes
Clothes - infant to 6 months
Bottles
Formula
Diapers
Cribs
Changing Tables
Toys
Suckers

Her note to me:

Thanks for the follow up. We have four staff members with new babies from 1 week to four months old. We also have two who will have grandchildren within the next few weeks. All of these individuals lost all in Katrina and had much damage. Anything is much appreciated from them.

I truly appreciate your efforts and concern. They are so very appreciated.

Amy Coyne
acoyne@bwsd.org

Bay-Waveland Middle School
600 Pine Street
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520

Put the packages attn to Amy Coyne

Waveland Baptist Disaster Response

2006-05-14T21:31:00.000-04:00

Contact Information:
katrinamission@bellsouth.net

Shoreline Park Katrina Disaster Response Project
10121 Kiln-Waveland Road
By St. Louis, MS 39521

228-467-9461

Supply Needs List as of 31 Jan 2006

http://katrinanetworking.blogspot.com/2006/02/stores-to-buy-gift-cards-through.html
SAMS Cards
WALMART Cards
Lowes Cards
Home Depot Cards
Sheetrock
Insulation

Volunteer Needs And Information For Prosptective Volunteers:

Who Can Come: Due to the nature of volunteer work and the dangers associated with a disaster area, we have restricted the age of minor volunteers to 16 years and older. Adults with physical limitations or respiratory problems should contact us before coming to Camp Kairos to ensure we have volunteer opportunities consistent with their limitations.

Personal Items to Bring: Each person needs to bring with them:
Sleeping bag
Pillow
Towel(s)
Personal care items
Work shoes & socks
Flashlight
Tent (Optional)

Immunizations: There are health risks and dangers that you must plan for. The most common accident is stepping on nails.

Tetanus (good for 5 years)
Hepatitis A

Note: If the medical clinics are open, you may be able to get your shots while you are here.

Medical Aid:
In the unlikely event you need emergency medical aid, there is a free medical clinic in Bay St. Louis. Typically it has a General Practitioner and nurse on duty. It will be in place until the local medical practices are re-established. The local hospital has an emergency room 24x7. 911 emergency services are also available.

Housing Arrangements
We have 4 “bunk houses” that sleep 11 adults each. We have 9 tents that each sleep 4 adults and 3 tents that sleep 6 adults. We have cots and air mattresses available for those who choose to use them. As a rule of thumb, we assign people to the bunkhouses until they are full and then we assign people to tents. Please limit personal items since there is limited space in the bunkhouses and tents. Prior to leaving please pick up and clean your area so that it is ready for the next occupant.

Meal Arrangements
Typically we have volunteers from several different churches working out of the camp at any given time. Since all the volunteers eat the same meal at the same time, we ask groups to bring food and cooks/kitchen help. At this time we have a Kitchen Coordinator that the cooks work with in preparing and serving the meals, as well as cleaning up. The meals are served pot luck style since everyone eats together. For the purpose of meal planning and purchasing food prior to coming to the camp each group should plan to prepare meals for your group plus 4. Your food along with that prepared by the other cooks will be served to everyone at the camp. The Kitchen Coordinator will work out the use of the stoves and ovens in the kitchen to ensure all the food is prepared on time.

We have kitchen facilities consisting of a stove/oven, microwave, refrigerators, freezers, another oven and a gas bar-b-q grill. There are pots, pans, and cooking utensils here, too. Normally we serve a hot breakfast and supper and provide sandwiches and chips for lunch. Groups larger than 5 should plan to bring a cook with them. If you have specific questions about the meal arrangements please email or call us.

Shared Responsibilities
Given the environment that we are working in maintaining a hygienic camp is a top priority. To be successful we need everyone’s cooperation.

Bathroom and Shower Facilities
We have a shower house consisting of 3 showers and 2 toilets; also, we now have 2 shower trailers with 3 bathrooms each (shower, toilet, sink). Due to the high use of these facilities everyone must help keep the bathrooms clean and free from trash. Each group of volunteers should identify one or two people in their group who will help maintain these facilities.

Trash
Volunteers in camps like ours can generate considerable trash and refuse. Trash cans are emptied every morning. We ask each group to pick up the trash in their sleeping quarters and help the staff by carrying the full trash bags to the dumpster. Please break down cardboard boxes and take them to the dumpster, too.

Types of work that we need done:
Clean-out crews:
Mud out houses
Remove contents that have been flooded, such as furniture, appliances, carpets, personal effects, etc.
Remove wallboard, insulation, cabinets
Remove drywall screws/nails from studs
Clean / power wash all flooded surfaces
Spray all flooded areas with bleach solution
Cooks (Each group larger than 5 people needs to bring a cook)
General Support:
Remove debris from yards
Clear trees
Camp clean-up
Re-building Homes:
Electricians
Plumbers
Sheetrock Installers
Carpenters
Flooring Installers
Roofers

We ask that people with the above skills bring their own tools of the trade with them.

http://www.wavelandbaptistdisasterresponse.org/planningcalendar.htm
The above link is the calendar showing teams scheduled to come in.

Help For Hurricane Affected Schools

2006-05-14T21:21:00.000-04:00

However, I have FINALLY found a list of schools from all the affected states that are in need. I am still trying to find out how recent the lists are, BUT, it has email, phone and mailing addresses - VERY good site!

http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/disasterrelief/schools/index-state.cfm#

Community Collaborations

2006-05-14T21:14:00.000-04:00

BACKGROUND
Community Collaborations International (CCI) works with universities, high schools, youth programs, families, church groups and others to provide support for service oriented travel in the US and Internationally. Our goal is to place volunteers where they are needed most and to provide a safe and fulfilling volunteer experience.

We need:
More food donations
Additional showers
A big meeting tent
15 passenger vans
Tools of all kinds
A school bus

11/24
Auction is NOW OPEN
Place Your Bid. Whether you're looking for something unique for yourself, searching for a gift for a special someone, or looking to add a little adventure to your life, you're sure to find something in our Auction Catalog . Every bid helps us get the job done in New Orleans and Mississippi.

10/8
Show Us Your Support Today

Beginning on November 13, 2006, Community Collaborations International will be holding an online auction to raise much needed funds. We need your support!
We're asking you to participate in one of the following ways...
How You Can Help:
Donate.
We need Auction items to add to our catalog. If you have valuable merchandise, rare collectibles, business or personal services or access to unique events, we need your contribution today. Click here to Donate.
Be a Sponsor.
Contact us at CCInternational@cmarket.org or 425 350 0967 to take advantage of promotional opportunities for your business or to pledge your individual support.
Tell Your Friends.
Do you know someone who would be interested in supporting our cause? Please share the news of the online auction with your friends so they can be part of the excitement.
Refer a Friend to our auction so they can get involved.
Thank you in advance for your continued support! We look forward to your item donation and online bids!
Check out our entire auction catalog!

http://www.communitycollaborations.org for more info. http://www.dailynebraskan.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/01/09/43c1f27ac785d
http://www.dailynebraskan.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/01/09/43c1eb3a58d4c

Article re: One Group's trip through CC:
Waveland, Miss., is more than 1,000 miles away. But the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's influence there isn't finished.
During winter break more than 90 UNL students, faculty and staff members traveled to Waveland, a Gulf Coast town of about 7,000, to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
On Friday evening about 80 of those trip participants gathered to share their experiences with approximately 20 other UNL administrators, faculty and staff members. Afterward, students gathered to discuss how they could continue their work in Mississippi.
When Katrina plowed its way through the South in late August, it wiped out entire towns, displaced hundreds of thousands and became one of the most expensive natural disasters in U.S. history. During the trip participants continued efforts to clear debris, rebuild homes and churches and listen to residents' survival stories.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs James Griesen applauded the student participants for learning early in life the rewards of volunteerism.
"There's no better feeling in life than being of service to others," Griesen said.
Two faculty members and two students did their best to describe the trip on behalf of the entire group.
Phyllis Larsen, an advertising senior lecturer, talked about how the students built relationships and stepped outside their comfort zones as they picked up trash, hung drywall, moved heavy furniture and tore down old buildings.
Larsen said the service trip also made students more engaged.
"It was dirt-under-your-fingernails real," Larsen said. "Our only power tools were our muscles and our brains."
Allen Ratliff, a sophomore English and sociology major, said the trip challenged him to grow.
"I was able to go down and see just something I wouldn't have otherwise been able to see," Ratliff said.
After showing a three-minute video clip of their experiences and ending the presentation, trip participants gathered to discuss how they could continue to help the Waveland residents.
The meeting was a continuation of a group brainstorm the participants had during one of the last nights of their service trip. During the meeting, participants said they didn't want to just go home and tell people about what how they helped others – they wanted to keep helping.
After going through a number of ideas on how to raise funds and spread awareness about the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the group agreed to start a smaller task force to implement the ideas.
Some ideas included having a photo exhibit of the trip in the Rotunda Gallery of the Nebraska Union, holding a tool drive and raising funds during the spring football game.
During the meeting, Linda Moody, assistant director of Student Involvement, announced arrangements were being made to send another group of students on a relief trip to Waveland during spring break.
Emily Snodgrass, a senior elementary education major and relief trip planner, said the goal of the meeting was to harness the students' enthusiasm for service in the area.
"I think that it was important to really make the most of the energy and passion that students on the trip felt and transform that into action," Snodgrass said.
"We're not done. - Nobody is finished. We left Waveland, yes, but our hearts and passion to serve them has not."

Avoiding Heat Related Illness

2006-05-14T20:34:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone.

Since summer has set in on the Gulf, but spring has barely arrived up North, I figured I’d write a small missive about Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke and Dehydration. These are all things you will have to watch your volunteers for as they work. I am also attaching a poster you can place where the volunteers will see it.

My medical background includes having been a paramedic and in emergency medical services for 15 years as well as having a degree in Health Science and Exercise Physiology. I have also lived in Louisville, KY and Dallas, TX so am very familiar with working in very hot, humid conditions.

Most of your volunteers are what would be called unconditioned. They aren't athletes in any sense of the word, so their ability to deal with heat under physical stress is diminished. That's one strike. The next strike is if they have any underlying medical conditions, which I would guess about half have. If they have high blood pressure or heart conditions, they should do as little hard manual labor as possible. Any medications they are on are likely to diminish their ability to deal with heat even further.

So, since you're only working with one strike left, you've got to make the most of it.

Strongly urge that no caffeine be taken to the work sites. Caffeine in the AM and after work is finished is tolerable, but not during work.
Carbonated beverages are tolerable, but not optimal during work.
Take breaks every 15 minutes to drink. Suggest they take their pulse.
Seriously consider stopping work at 2PM.
Urge the volunteers to alternate water with their favorite beverage.

Caffeine increases body temperature, pulse, constricts blood vessels and draws water out of the body. None of these things are good in hot conditions. Hence, no caffeine at work sites.

Carbonated beverages don't offer much more than sugar with a little water, so aren't of high value, but are certainly better than drinking nothing at all. Sports drinks are OK as well, as is Gatorade or Tang.

By taking breaks every 15 minutes to drink, this will help better assure hydration and will also keep Heat Exhaustion/Stroke at bay. Having them take their pulse during these breaks will also give a very quick evaluation of their status. If their heart rates are over 100 5 minutes into the break, they need to rest further. Heat Exhaustion is beginning.

The hottest part of the day actually begins after 2PM – generally around 3PM and continues well into the evening. In Dallas, temperatures would remain into the 90’s well after midnight. If you must, begin work early – say 630AM. This is generally the coolest time of the day.

Knowing that water can be very tedious, urge the volunteers to alternate their beverages with water. As I stated before, just about anything is acceptable, as long as water is included. The best test for full hydration is the color of the urine. Clear and almost colorless is perfect. If it's cloudy and dark, the person is NOT drinking enough. This will be included in the poster. Gatorade is good. Tang might be better. It is higher in potassium, which is more important than the sodium in Gatorade. Plus, people might drink more of it due to better taste. And it can be mixed to individual strengths.

No alcohol. Heat Exhaustion/Stroke can set in well after the work is complete. Alcohol has the best potential to throw a person's body into one of these long after the hot work is done.

Think about having things such as dill pickles and green olives available. After work in Dallas, I would eat at least a half dozen olives and then drink another gallon of water during the evening. Even with this, I would be dehydrated by the end of the week. 2 gallons of fluids each day is not unreasonable and very much favored. Expect the volunteers to be dehydrated by week's end and not be performing as well as they should. Accidents will be far more likely the last day of work due to the brain not working quite right without its water.

Signs of Heat Exhaustion:
The signs of heat exhaustion include paleness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fainting, and a moderately increased temperature (101-102 degrees F). They will also have excessive sweating. This means they will look like they've been hit with a fire hose of water. You'll know it if you see it.

If a person shows these signs, get them to a cool shady place that has a fan or breeze. Make them lie down and drink fluids as much as possible. If they are vomiting, they may need to seek emergency medical assistance as this can lead to Heat Stroke. They will NOT be able to work for the duration of their visit. Heat Exhaustion does not end in a day. It takes several days to weeks to fully recover.

Signs of Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness. It can occur even in people who are not exercising, if the weather is hot enough. These people have warm, flushed (red) skin, and do not sweat. Whether exercise-related or not, though, a person with heat stroke usually has a very high temperature (106 degrees F or higher), and may be delirious, unconscious, or having seizures. These people need to have their temperature reduced quickly, often with ice packs, and must also be given IV fluids for rehydration; they must be taken to the hospital as quickly as possible and may have to stay in the hospital for observation since many different body organs can fail in heat stroke.

Anyone suffering from Heat Stroke must not work in this type environment again for about a year and may never be able to again. Heat Stroke alters the body's ability to tolerate hot environments. Also – if anyone in the team does suffer Heat Stroke, assume all are suffering from Heat Exhaustion and stop all work.

I know it sounds serious. And it is. But with proper hydration listed at the beginning, there will be no problems. I just want you aware of what could happen so that you can take care of yourself and your volunteers.

If you are a long-term volunteer, seriously consider eating yogurt every day, significantly reducing your sugar intake, and even taking acidophyllus pills. These actions will significantly reduce your chances at athlete's foot, jock itch, yeast infection - which are all basically the same thing, just different areas of the body. Change all underclothing (socks too) twice a day in order to minimize your risk for these problems. This is knowledge gained from personal experience!

The Following is a poster I made for you to put where your volunteers will be able to read it and educate themselves:

Avoid Heat Related Illness!

No Caffeine While Working
Drink Fluids Every 15 Minutes While Working
Rest 5 Minutes Every 15 Minutes
Take Your Pulse Before Starting Work Again.

IF:
Your pulse is over 100, REST until it’s below 90.
You feel nauseous, STOP working.
You stop sweating, STOP working.
You feel dizzy, STOP working.

Find the coolest spot possible, lie down, and drink copious amounts of fluids. If, after 30 minutes you continue to feel ill or worse, seek medical attention NOW and alert your team leader. No work for the rest of the day.

After work, continue drinking every 15 minutes until your urine is clear and pale yellow. Dark and/or cloudy means you’re dehydrated. It’ll only get worse tomorrow if you don’t keep drinking.

If you don’t like water, alternate it with another fluid. NO ALCOHOL

Safety Guidelines For Volunteers

2006-05-14T20:13:00.000-04:00

www.GulfCoastNews.com

Katrina Recovery Workers: Safety Gear is a Must - And Watch for Snakes
From FEMA Filed 5/12/06 GCN
http://www.gulfcoastnews.com/GCNnewsKatrinaSafetyGearMust.htm

BILOXI, Miss. – With the end of the school year approaching, hundreds of high school and college students are expected to help storm-damaged neighborhoods spring back to life. These volunteers are a great asset in the recovery efforts.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) safety officials remind everyone working around battered structures on overgrown sites to work smart and stay healthy, especially as the weather warms up.

“Inexperienced workers may not be aware of the serious trouble that threatens their feet, legs, arms, hands and heads on job sites, as well as potential hazards to their lungs and eyes when pulling walls apart,” said Jesse Munoz, acting director of the transitional recovery office for Hurricane Katrina. “We want them to be properly equipped and to work safely at all times.”
Snake strikes have been reported throughout the past month by workers at demolition and debris collection sites in the six southern-most counties of Mississippi. A strike is a hit on leather or protective fabric.

Safety officials suggest protective equipment from the ground up for people working around debris:

Sturdy work boots with sole protection against nails and glass;
Long pants to guard against cuts and varmints;
Leather work gloves to ward off cuts and bites and to minimize damage from smashing incidents;
N-95 face mask from a building supply store to protect lungs from fiberglass and other debilitating dust;
Safety goggles to keep particles and flying objects out of eyes;
Hard hat to guard against falling objects and sideways bumps from careless co-workers;
Be sure your tetanus shot is current;
Sunscreen;
and Insect repellant

Bush/Clinton Grant

2006-05-14T15:09:00.000-04:00

Presidents Bush, Clinton Donate Funds to Katrina Victims
By Greg Flakus New Orleans13 May 2006
http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-05-13-voa6.cfm

Former U.S. presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton have announced several grants to communities along the Gulf Coast that are still struggling to recover from Hurricane Katrina.
The two former presidents made their announcement here in New Orleans at Kingsley House, a community outreach program that was one of the grant recipients. Altogether the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund gave $9.7 million to local governments and non-governmental organizations in the three states hit by Katrina: Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Former president Bush said the fund he and former president Clinton head was made possible by donations from millions of ordinary citizens.

George H. W. Bush"We have been deeply touched by the generosity of the American people, who once again proved they know how to be good neighbors," said Mr. Bush. "They opened their hearts and their wallets, and have given generously to so many funds, including ours. We anticipate that, by the time the last dime is counted, the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund will have raised $130 million."

Former president Clinton said the grants cover a wide range of programs and projects in the Katrina-ravaged areas.

Bill Clinton"The grants we announce today amount to almost $10 million," said Mr. Clinton. "They go to all three states affected, to build new homes, provide mental health and health care services, rebuild water, sewer and gas lines, build shoreline improvement projects, provide community and child development services, financial counseling and economic recovery."

The Bush-Clinton Fund awarded a $2 million grant to the city of Waveland, Mississippi, to bridge the gap between what federal funds provide and what the local community must pay to restore infrastructure. Waveland City Clerk Lisa Planchard told VOA, the restoration of water, sewage and electricity will allow many displaced people to return.

Waveland City Clerk Lisa Planchard"They are hindered right now, because we do not have the infrastructure to accommodate the people who want to come back. They want to come home, but they just cannot," she explained.

Another grant went to the community of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, where 23 shrimp boats, mostly owned by Vietnamese immigrants, were blown ashore. Tin Nguyen says the money will help him regain his livelihood.

Shrimper Tin Nguyen"The fund will provide us the necessary funds to put a vessel down, to get us to start working again," he said.

That is welcome news to who tells VOA the fish and shrimp boat operators, about half of whom are Asian-Americans, contribute greatly to the local economy.

Bayou La Batre Mayor Stan Wright and Tin Nguyen"All these people are going back to work," explained Wright. "This is going to happen within 45 days. We are very grateful to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund for providing us $1.6 million to the city of Bayou La Batre to remove these boats, and get them back in the water again, and get them working."

The two former presidents are in New Orleans for another event, as well, as the keynote speakers at the Saturday commencement ceremony at Tulane University.

Waveland - City Update and Needs

2006-05-12T19:13:00.001-04:00

5/30 For those interested, City development plans:
http://www.governorscommission.com/press/101705Waveland.pdf

8/23 Thank You From The City:
To all those who have helped:

We know that we will never be able to remember or to thank all those who came to our aid after Katrina. Some gave gifts of food, water, ice, clothing, gift cards, tools, computers, appliances, fire trucks, police cars, utility vans, buses and a myriad of other things to help us through those early days. Some traveled for days in trucks filled with supplies. Others delivered washers and dryers so that we could do our laundry. Some came and set up emergency facilities to feed, cloth and provide medical aid to people very much in need.

Some came and dropped off things, others stayed for weeks and months, and others still are here. Some knew to come right away and others knew we would need sustained help. Hundreds of volunteers have donated thousands of hours helping people gut out their homes, pick up debris, and paint. And they listened and gave hugs freely as they helped people begin to pull their lives together.

As we continue to Rebuild Waveland, we could never say THANK YOU, in a big enough way. We know that many of you came because of your faith and others just because they saw people in need and could not turn away. Your kindnesses were unbelievable!

As we approach the one year anniversary of the day that Katrina changed all our lives, we are reminded of the trials we have endured and count our blessings. You have been there beside us. You have given us much hope and help.

We were planning to spend the day pretty quietly, but as events unfolded and continued gifts came our way, we have a very busy day planned. We invite all of you to be here to spend the day with us. If you can’t be here physically, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers as we remember those who came to help.

Schedule for “Celebrate Life” in Waveland, Mississippi, Tuesday, August 29, 2006:

8:00 a.m. Ecumenical Prayer Service on the Beach at Coleman Avenue
9:00 a.m. Moment of Silence as we remember those who lost their lives in Katrina.
9:01 a.m. Hancock County Bells Ring – to signify a “New Birth.”

3:00 p.m. Parade down Coleman Avenue to honor Volunteers and Contributors
Dedication of Katrina Memorial on the Beach at Coleman Avenue
Acceptance of Gift for Rebuilding City Hall
4:30 p.m. - Live Music on the Beach, Tailgate Party
7:00 pm “Special Gift to Waveland” Appearance by Colin Raye
Followed by Heather and the Monkey King

Bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets and beach blankets.

Please join us, if you can.
Mayor Tommy Longo
City of Waveland, 335 Coleman Avenue, Waveland, MS 228-467-4134

Please RSVP to Kathy Pinn, 228-332-2270 or Betty Robinson, 228-467-3425

8/1 Found on Gulf Coast News - www.GulfCoastNews.com
Waveland – Behind The Scenes Heroes
By Mark Proulx - Special to GCN
You know how you receive emails that touch your hearts? This email came from one of Waveland’s “sister” cities - Northbrook, IL, and the group KARING. It touched Kathy Pinn so much that she forwarded it to me for GCN.
Submitted by Kathy Pinn, Donations Coordinator
City of Waveland, 335 Coleman Avenue, Waveland, MS 39576,
228-467-4134 or 467-3425

There have been thousands of people who have reached out to Waveland. Some with a single generous gesture and some that just keep on giving...there are some many of the "keep on giving kind" that they make it almost impossible for me to be crabby!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Please read the attached, it will bless you as much as it has blessed us.
Kathy
”Dear Kathy,
As many of you know I have been working with a group in the area called KARING. KARING was formed as a response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. The one year anniversary is coming up on August 29th. KARING was established and 501C3 status applied for. Progress is being made in Waveland. Things are being built, groups are there volunteering and it is also becoming apparent that the rebuilding process will take years. Several trips have been taken to the area. We have gutted houses, cleared property, ripped off roofs, adopted dogs, cleaned beaches, rocked babies, answered phones and slept in FEMA trailers. I even got to go to the yacht club.
On our last trip 26 of us age 11 to 75 (young at heart and effort) held a week long day camp for almost 100 kids. We took the older kids canoeing, bowling, for a walk, to a local water park and organized a mean game of basketball. The younger kids kept busy with crafts, games and art projects. All this was done in the almost 100 degree heat.
Some of our volunteers tore off a tin roof and cleaned out a house that had not been touched since the storm. The memories of that week will stick with all of us that have traveled to Waveland for a long time.Several fundraisers have taken place, including:knitting lessonsschool bake sales and concertsbar/bat mitzvah projectschurch collections and a garden seminarsidewalk sale to sell pottery brought back from Waveland and a wonderful concert This coming year is filled with the same excitement. In the next week we are sponsoring the food at a Ferris Buehler outside movie night and selling fresh roasted corn.In April a 57" foot trailer was sent to Waveland packed with computers and furniture. A 2nd truck is going to Waveland with school desks, fans and animal supplies.We are outfitting the schools with new computers and books.We have sponsored a Easter egg hunt and are looking forward to Wavefest in the fall.We are raising money for a $100,000 donation to the city to help defray the costs of rebuilding the community center. Our $100,000 will enable the town to get a $1,000,000 grant.Our next trip in October will revolve around helping the women of Waveland who work in the city or with the chamber. We will be providing hair cuts, manicures and massages. We will also be hosting a special creative memories workshop for an evening.There are so many other things that have been done or are in the process but I feel the most important thing to come out of all of this is the friendships and experiences I have had. Almost anything I have asked to get done has been done and I have met the greatest people both in this area and in Waveland. In February, Northbrook baseball donated a fancy red tractor lawn mower to Waveland Parks and Recreation. (pretty much one guy).He was clearing the baseball fields of debris by hand. He was mowing with an old push mower. He lost everything he owned in the flood but he was determined to get the ball season up and running.
Because of that donation another father in town got to coach his sons baseball team.
When we were in Waveland in June we rented a bouncy thing or moon walk. When the owner came to deliver it he had 3 on his truck. As I walked up to him I was wondering how I was going to pay for all of that fun. I introduced myself and he asked if we were the group that had provided the lawn mower for the ball teams. I told him that we had and he said because of that donation his son got to play ball and he would like to pay it forward with a donations of 3 moonwalks for the week.
This is only one example of how things have been working for KARING. It is the most amazing thing. We could always use help both here and in Waveland if you are interested in lending your talent please let me know. No talent is too little or unneeded. Please forward this email to anyone you know that would like to know more about what is going on in Waveland. Have a great summer!”
Barb
KARING
3610 Dundee Road
Northbrook, Il 60062
(847)800-6973
http://www.karing.org/
City of Waveland Needs List
Paper Products (Towels-Toilet-Plates-Cups)
Laminator
Laminating Sheets (8.5x11 and 8.5x14)
Vacuum Cleaners (4)
Cleaning Supplies
Ink Cartridges (Brother PC 301 & 2040, HP Laser 12A, 96 & 97, Cannon E40)
Paper Shredders (4)
Color Printers (2)
Clear index tabs Pop-up post-its (6)
Post-its flags
Round rolodex
Copy Stamp
Ribbon for Casio 420A
Large Copier/Sorter
Copy Paper (White & Colors)
Green Bar Paper 14-7/8” x 11”
Staple Remover
Light Bulbs
Small Office Trash Cans (6)
Trash can liners (kitchen, & large)
Lamps New or Used
Toilet Bowl brush
Mops & buckets (4)
Small Window Air Conditioner

For Citizens, Employees and to help Volunteers help families:
Lawn Care Equipment
Lawn Mowers Gas Cans
Rakes WalMart gift cards for gas and supplies
Trash Bags Building Materials
Wheel Barrels Lumber, Sheet Rock, Plywood or Home Depot
or Lowe’s cards
Weed eaters (gas) Roofing material

Monetary Donations:
For the City of Waveland:
City of Waveland, 335 Coleman Avenue, Waveland, MS 39576
Designated use: Matching funds to begin rebuilding. (For example: To Rebuild City Hall)
For The Schools:
Bay-Waveland School District, 201 Carroll Avenue, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520

Karing From IL

2006-05-12T18:59:00.000-04:00

www.Karing.org

KARING
3610 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062

KARING , Katrina Relief in Northbrook and Glenview (IL), was created to provide long-term support for residents of the Gulf coast, with special focus on the residents of Waveland, Mississippi who were affected by the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. Our mission is to raise funds and coordinate projects that rebuild and enrich the lives of community residents. Long-term, we hope to build an enduring network of personal connections that enrich their lives and strengthen both of our communities.

3/13 • We are planning trips to Waveland in March 10 and 25, during Spring Break. Anyone in junior high (with permission) or older is welcome to come. We'll post more information as we get closer to the date. We will also host Camp Karing again this year on June 18.

Fly into New Orleans or Gulf Port and look for lodging information at Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis or Lagniappe Bay St. Louis More info will be posted as we get closer to the dates, or you can contact Barb Flanagin at bflanagin@karing.org or call the KARING hot line at 847-800-6973

• If you are planning to go on one of our trips to Waveland, please take a look at our trip information page.

2/13
January 9, 2007
• Village of Northbrook declares 2007 "The Year of Karing"
P R O C L A M A T I O N
On February 28, 2006, the Village of Northbrook issued a proclamation encouraging Citizens and Businesses to lend support and assistance to the town of Waveland Mississippi. Since then KARING (Katrina Relief) was created to provide long-term support for residents of the Gulf coast, with special focus on the residents of Waveland, Mississippi, who were affected by the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. KARING’s mission is to raise funds and coordinate projects that rebuild and enrich the lives of community residents. The combined efforts of members of the Northbrook community have resulted in outstanding achievements and 2007 promises even more.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Eugene Marks, President of the Village of Northbrook, County of Cook and State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim the year of 2007 as "The Year of KARING in Northbrook" and ask all residents; civic, educational, and religious organizations; and public and private institutions to support the efforts of KARING to assist Waveland, Mississippi.

Dated: This 9 day of January 2007.
Eugene Marks
Village President

Needs List

Monetary Donations are the best!!! (The money will go directly to the people we work with in Waveland to go towards specific needs).
Frequent Flyer Miles: This will allow volunteers to get down to Waveland to help clear debris and to rebuild homes and businesses.
Wal-Mart Gift Cards: This will allow KARING members to buy items that each resident needs, etc.
Universal Gift Cards: American Express, etc. This will allow members to purchase specific items.
Paper products (towels,toilet paper, plates and cups)
Laminator
Laminating sheets ( 8.5x11 and 8.5x14)
Vacuum cleaners
Cleaning supplies
Ink cartridges
Paper shredders
Color printers
Bottled water - Citizens and volunteers are using large quantities and we can never have too much.
Clear index tabs popup post-it
Canon toner 6564 , Brother toner tn350
Ribbon for Casio 420A
Copier
Copy Paper
Green Bar paper
Trash can liners (kitchen and large)
Lamps - new and used
Small window air conditioner
Electric typwriter
ink for HP priner #96, 397
Lawn care equipment
Lawn mowers
Rakes
Weed eaters (gas)
Building materials - lumber, sheetrock roofing materials ( this is best donated through WalMart, Home Depot or Lowe's cards)
Any household items for setting up a home. People are just getting back into their homes and these items would be useful. Whatever a new bride might need would be appropriate for our women and homemakers trying to put their lives back together.
Please send new items. Nothing is more discouraging than to have put up with the aftermath of Katrina and then to plug in an appliance or a coffeepot, etc. and have it not work. They don't need anything else to add to the debris piles.

12/9
We have adopted over 125 families in Waveland and are sending a 53 foot truck down this week to delver the goods. KARING has received an award from e-town that will be aired in January and keep the needs in the spotlight.

9/11
I was going to rewrite this, but why try to improve on an already great format?

We went in June and hosted a 5 day camp for 100 kids.
We are going down in October to do a woman's wellness day (we are providing scrap booking material, manicures, pedicures and massages) and helping with WAVEFEST.
We are working on gathering office supplies, refurbishing St Stanislaus so they can have church and dance recitals there (They need curtains and chairs)
We are doing fundraisers for school uniforms, Wal-Mart cards for thanksgiving turkeys, books for the school library
And we are having our kids start a pen pal group with similar aged kids in Waveland.
Also we are looking for a refrigerated truck to hall fresh meat from Iowa to Waveland.
We are sewing Christmas tree skirts and getting a Santa program underway.
We are having a huge concert in February to help fund the rehabbing of Waveland's community center.

If you live in the Chicago area and would like to be part of this, please look to the list below and contact the folks at Karing!

Our web site does not mention any of these because we have no one working on it right now. (If anyone lives in the Chicago area and would like to help them with their website, please contact them!)

Take care
Barb

Other ways to help.

1. Adopt a family: contact Judy Katz JKatz@KARING.org
2. Education: contact Marsha Hochman elementary education MHochman@KARING.org.
Deidre Berkowitz jr/sr high education DBerkowitz@KARING.org or Carla Martens CMartens@Karing.org
3. Hospital Sandy Zeller SZeller@KARING.org
4. Community projects: Connect Northbrook groups with Waveland groups. i.e. baseball, dance, track. Barb Flanagin BFlanagin@KARING.org
5. Large project: Community Center help pay for the refurbishing of Waveland’s community center Barb Flanagin BFlanagin@KARING.org
6. Work trips: Go to Waveland GBuell@KARING.org
7. Fundraising for KARING: To help support one of the above. Have a fund raiser at your church, temple, school, neighborhood or organization. RKaiser@KARING.org
8. In kind donations BFlanagin@KARING.org

Waveland, MS Relief Blog

2006-05-12T08:05:00.000-04:00

I'll soon be adding all information for Waveland MS to this blog - this weekend to be specific.

If you have any information you would like to post FOR Waveland, MS, please contact me at your earliest convenience at KatrinaCoalition@aol.com