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

Books on Hurricane Recovery

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

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

BBC Article

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

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

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

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."

Family Injured in Trailer Fire

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

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!

Waveland Animal Shelter

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.

Camp Second Helpin' Update

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