I never actually thought I'd need to depend on the kindness of strangers, but here we are. My life has been so much easier to put back together because of donations, both monetary and material. Really, life isn't "back together" yet. We're in a holding pattern, and until the Corps cleans the rubble and stray car off our lot, we're nowhere near back together. But Steve and I both have our jobs, which is a great blessing. We also have flood insurance. I feel downright lucky, and almost embarrassed, even if our house did wash away. Survivor's guilt?
Once we got stabilized in our new trailer household, we found ourselves middlemen in donation distributions. I felt stable enough to participate in these distribution projects when they first started happening. I soon realized that I was mentally incapable of coping with the sorting, the storing, and the determining of need; my focus is a wreck, my patience is at an all-time low, and my organizational skills are sorely lacking.
Lucky, lucky, lucky for me, the most recent donations (which filled up my classroom) were taken over by the wonderful teachers on my 7th grade hallway. They sorted and displayed the items, and on the last day of school before Christmas break the students came in and chose three items to give to other people.
It was a fantastic success, thanks to these helpful teachers who did not lose their homes and were so willing to pitch in. They've been asking me what they could do, and this turned out to be the biggest thing they could have done. (Side note: One of the teachers gave me a string of pearls, with a card that read "I heard you lost yours in the storm." Everyone was always commenting about my pearls before the storm, and she said that she missed seeing me wear them. That was the most thoughtful present I could get this year.)
Our towns have amassed large quantities of goods, and they keep coming. This is great, because there are people who will keep needing them. But my biggest Christmas wish is that some groups who want to help will recognize more public needs. There are playgrounds, churches, and libraries that need to be rebuilt in areas without economies (and some without governments). There are trees that need to be replanted. There are communities that need to be renewed. Those are the best, longest-lasting gifts we could ever get.
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shoot...your gonna make a grond man ...cry
andy,ms (Sent Dec 20, 2005 8:57:23 PM)
Thank you, for sharing with us what we can do to help.
Ruth Keenan, Houston, TX (Sent Dec 21, 2005 9:35:26 AM)
Best wishes Heather. As a person who has volunteered (from Jackson MS), I am glad to hear again a "thank you." We are very glad to do what ever we can. You lost your house through no fault of your own. Hang in there. More help is on the way. God loves you.
Donna Evans, Jackson MS (Sent Dec 21, 2005 10:25:35 AM)
It has been so encouraging to me to hear about all the people volunteering their time to go out there and work. Having been out there myself, it was great to hear the thanks from people driving by in their cars as we walked from job site to job site. Yes, food and monetary donations are great, but what is needed most is labor. There are so many people there who are unable to do the cleanup themselves. So many people are working to get their own stuff back in order, that places like libraries and playgrounds need help from others. It is going to be through our help and trips out there that will help the towns rebuild. Additionally our time shows more love than money or food ever could, and is the extra encouragment that is needed there.
Mark Napior, Sacramento, CA (Sent Dec 21, 2005 12:23:45 PM)
I live in Waveland and have gone to a distrubtion center many times. Especially in the very beginning when there was nothing - the ice was great to have. The day they had orange juice instead of just water was JOY.
Now - I am rebuilding, could use help but where do you find it? I heard there was help with appliances but where?
BettySue, Waveland (Sent Dec 21, 2005 1:57:45 PM)
I just read about the donation of musical instruments you got as well. You're still in my thoughts and prayers.
Brooke Thorington, Montgomery, AL (Sent Dec 21, 2005 4:57:38 PM)
My family and I were wanting to help with Christmas. If anyone can tell us what needs to be given, even if its to play Santa Claus, I would appreciate any info, such as what to give, who has a greater need, and where to deliver.
Kristy, Clarke County, MS (Sent Dec 22, 2005 2:54:54 AM)
Heather, where can we send donations for public places related to your school? For people needing to make last-minute donations for tax reasons, such info would be a help!
Stephanie Umbro, Standish, ME (Sent Dec 22, 2005 9:20:23 AM)
All the gifts that have arrived on the coast in time for Christmas is a blessing. My biggest wish is that after the decorations come down and the lights are turned off people will consider the rebuilding of homes, all the presents don't mean anything if there is no house to put them in. There was a Santa on the news today on WLOX, one child that called wanted a fire truck and a HOUSE. Please remember us after Christmas
mason, pass christian, MS (Sent Dec 23, 2005 5:21:01 PM)
Our elementary school adopted North Bay Elementary, which is a part of the Bay St. Louis Waveland School District. There is information on their webpage regarding where to send donations. Go to: http://www.bwsd.org/ I know they are out of school now for their break, so I'm not sure if you will get a response if you call or email between now and the new year. If you don't reach someone, you can contact me through email and I will try to use some of my other contacts there to get you in touch with someone. Good luck!
Tammy (Sent Dec 23, 2005 7:22:50 PM)
Merry Christmas!!!...Heather ...hope ya'll are well
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Dec 25, 2005 11:10:15 AM)
I would like to speak to you. I have been collecting school supplies to bring to you. I would like to know what is most needed. I will be available to distribute and organize. Please contact me so we can be sure thses kids have what they need to get back to thier education. Lisa
Eleisa Cambra, Pleasanton, ca. (Sent Dec 27, 2005 7:26:11 PM)
shoot ...at this time HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Dec 27, 2005 8:29:51 PM)
My name is Amanda..Im 17 and a Senior in Medford Oregon. We are required to do a Senior project to graduate and I have been searching and emailing places In Mississippi and New Orleans to Volunteer for a week and help with any rebuilding, cleanup, anything I can do to help the victims of Katrina. I wanted to do a project that would make a difference and help others . My Mom also wants to volunteer. If anyone knows of anyplace I can email or call that could help me with my school project and in turn help other people in need, I would greatly appreciate it. This is something we both really want to do.You can email me for any questions
or details needed. Thank You for listening, and Happy New Year to everyone!
Amanda , Medford Oregon (Sent Dec 28, 2005 2:26:38 PM)
I also was blessed to have flood insurance..(didn't really know I had it)..My son attends Second Street Elem. and everybody we know keeps asking what we need. Well like everyone else we are in a FEMA trailer and need nothing because we have each other. We talked as a family and decided to ask my son's teacher what the school needed or just his class. They came up with umbrella's and poncho's so I emailed everyone on my list and I have to thank each and everyone of them for sending these items to the school. We have had some bad rain and it was so great to see these children getting to carry these umbrella's and wearing the poncho's while they walked home in the rain. It was a small gesure that meant the world to everyone..Thank you to everyone who has volunteered, sent donations, and prayed for us. We greatly appreciate it and of course I am so proud of my 10 year old son for wanting to help other people instead of thinking of himself...
Kim~Bay St Louis, Ms (Sent Dec 28, 2005 6:01:19 PM)
Heather, I am the coordinator of Operation Colonial Friends and organization I started in Williamsburg Virginia. We are rebuilding the playground for Waveland Elementary weekend after next. We will have the presentation ceremony on Monday January 9, 2006. You are welcome to stop by either then or on Friday or Saturday when we are building and see that someone is helping with some of the long term things you mentioned. I would love to keep going and build playgrounds for the whole school district but I am plum tuckered out and my family has missed me while I have devoted an inordinate amount of time to making this happen for the children of Waveland. Hopefully there are other good hearted people out there who will pick up the ball as I did and run with it. I will be happy to advise, based on my experience.
Rhonda Honegger, Williamsburg, Virginia (Sent Dec 28, 2005 7:44:03 PM)
Thanks again to all who have given time and donations to the people of Mississippi. I am humbled and truly appreciative. Y'all will always be welcome to visit our new towns!
Heather Harper (Sent Dec 29, 2005 3:09:28 PM)
Does anyone know the fate of Chappy's restaurant in Bay St. Louis? We visit there yearly while visiting family in New Orleans.
Peggie, Fernley, NV (Sent Dec 30, 2005 9:44:30 PM)
Chappy's Restaurant is gone....and will be missed. I do hope they plan to rebuild, but I don't know about that.
Sara (Sent Jan 1, 2006 11:26:09 AM)
In reference to my Daughter Amanda's post above I want to personally thank everyone who has emailed her referring her to volunteer organizations. We have ended up working with Relief Spark in St Bernard Parish helping in clean-up and the gutting of houses. We will be working the week of Feb 19th.
Thank You all so Much for your helpful, informative, and kind emails... there are a few other places we would like to help out at another time hopefully.So many people need so much help everywhere.We feel blessed to get this opportunity.
Thank You again,We couldnt have done it without the extra help!
Kathy & Amanda Hoevet Medford, Oregon (Sent Feb 2, 2006 12:09:21 AM)
nice project with good design and pictures...best wishes...;-))
;)
Bernadine (Sent Jul 9, 2007 7:20:00 AM)
Very interesting website. Keep up the outstanding work and thank you...
;)
Dorie (Sent Jul 18, 2007 7:16:03 AM)
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