Hello Everyone,
We had another great day yesterday. We've been asked how we found this job. We contacted the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity and did not get replies and in fairness to them they are swamped. I then went on line and got into the state of Mississippi web site. They had a link for Disaster Relief help.
Thursday, the men painted the finish coat on the activity center room walls. Then they repaired a storage shed and made it water tight. Terry and I tackled another shed that was the lawn and tool shed. When we opened the door we nearly flipped. What a mess! Lawn mowers, tools, blowers,dozens of paint cans, oil, boxes of nails and house supplies and all mixed in to a muddled muddy mass. We debated, wait and work up our courage or hit it and get it over with. We hit it and cleaned it out. Most everything gets heaped on piles next to the road and then bull dozers come in periodically and doze and load garbage. The men found a hardware store and bought a few doors that they can install at the house. We had a young couple show up from Washington state with a tent and they will be here for a month or so. The six of us were invited for Spaghetti at the director of the centers house. It was a lovely evening and a nice break for he and his wife as the stress of dealing with day to day challenges here are heavy. The WalMart reopened here in a tent and has only basic groceries. A major step.
We did not take photos but will get many today. I have handed out all but a few baby quilts. I gave the three quilts from Cheri and Barb to three boys, grandsons of Hope Haven house, whose home was totally lost. They were so happy. The Red Wagon group quilts are being delivered Friday as we are headed towards New Orleans and looking for a laundromat. Have called DeeDee's daughter but she has not called back yet. Today is our rest day because we will work All day Sat and Sun in the center. The social services people will be off and we can work uninterrupted. We have a little southern Baptist church across the street that is totally gutted. We can see studs inside and nothing else and they are having service Sunday morning. So we are going. We are told that this is a black church by choice and I asked a little elderly lady at the meal dome if we would be welcome. She assured us we would.
We are doing this because we can not because we are looking for pats on the back, Nor is it our intention to put weight on those who can not be here. Everyone can help in someway. A local teacher was in yesterday and we helped her chose toys for her class. People here are so angry with our government relief plans but they all say that the people of America have been wonderful. We say a hand painted sign on a pile of rubbish that said "Thank you for helping us" It was directed at the volunteers coming in on this highway. This has made us aware of how much we take for granted. Look for a large report with photos of New Orleans tonight.
D, T, T and C
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