Blog Index

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

The Giving Circle - In NY

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

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

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

His Hands and Feet Org

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

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/

New Site Being Established

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.

City Action Partnership

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

Impact Ministries

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.

Wayland To Waveland

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

Boys and Girls Club

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!

Bucks Mont Katrina Project - PA

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

(C) Rev. Matt Reed, Religious Organizations Task Force Trip Coordinator

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.