It is still an incredible mess with so much need even 9 months after the hurricane. The debris right on the coasts is still horrific. Further inland you can't see as much because the damage is to the interiors of the homes.
The greatest need is roofs. The inside work can't get going much 'til the leaky, damged roofs are replaced. There are blue-tarped roofs sprinkled everywhere. The hurricane season begins tomorrow and the people there are very nervous. They haven't even recovered from last season!
The greatest need is roofs. The inside work can't get going much 'til the leaky, damged roofs are replaced. There are blue-tarped roofs sprinkled everywhere. The hurricane season begins tomorrow and the people there are very nervous. They haven't even recovered from last season!
If you get the opportunity to go South and help with this effort I encourage you to do so. You do 
not need any specific skills as they have folks there that can show you what to do and the people are so anxious to get back into their homes and out of the FEMA trailers that they prefer a quick job to a fine and lengthy one. There is, of course, a special need for electricians, and others with special skills but anyone can get a small amount of training and do the most-needed jobs such as tearing out sheet rock, hanginging doors, putting up sheet rock, roofing and painting. What is really needed is people with a willingness to work.
not need any specific skills as they have folks there that can show you what to do and the people are so anxious to get back into their homes and out of the FEMA trailers that they prefer a quick job to a fine and lengthy one. There is, of course, a special need for electricians, and others with special skills but anyone can get a small amount of training and do the most-needed jobs such as tearing out sheet rock, hanginging doors, putting up sheet rock, roofing and painting. What is really needed is people with a willingness to work.Our group was mix of 14 to 60 year old men and women with varying levels of skill and knowledge but all with a heart to serve. We were there 6 days and replaced roofs on two houses, painted the interiors of 2 others and set a toilet. Two of our helpers cooked for all the volunteers down there at the Gautier United Methodist Church that has been providing lodging for volunteers ever since Katrina hit. You do as much as you can and then another group follows and finishes whatever they can.... a long slow process... but it get's it done. They say "we are helping one family at a time" and that is what keeps them going and from being disheartened by the overwhelming need. We shared floor space and broke bread with people from Maine, Nebraska & Pennsylvania.
Marcia, who runs the Relief Effort at the church says there is enough work for the next five
years if they continue to get the same amount of volunteer workers. Remember, just about all the work being done is by volunteers! You get paid in hugs and heartfelt thank yous. I feel incredibly grateful for all I have and for the opportunity to be God's hands. It was an uplifting, rewarding and humbling experience for me... I want to send others! I want to go back!
Marcia, who runs the Relief Effort at the church says there is enough work for the next five
years if they continue to get the same amount of volunteer workers. Remember, just about all the work being done is by volunteers! You get paid in hugs and heartfelt thank yous. I feel incredibly grateful for all I have and for the opportunity to be God's hands. It was an uplifting, rewarding and humbling experience for me... I want to send others! I want to go back!
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