Project Mommy 101

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

Audit Wanted

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.

Karing From IL

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