If there is a positive to be found amid the devastation inflicted on Bay St. Louis, Waveland and Hancock County by Hurricane Katrina’s storm surge it can be found in another type of torrent – the vast river of volunteers that in one year has helped lift these shattered Mississippi coastal communities from the depths of despair.
Almost since Day One, they have arrived all along the Gulf Coast in vast numbers by bus, truck, motorcycle and car and leaped into action with nary a word of complaint about the filthy, back-breaking work. Especially in the early days, many slept in tents and endured relentless heat, humidity and nasty bugs for the privilege of assisting their countrymen.
“So many of them, when we thank them for their efforts, they turn around and say, ‘No. Thank y’all for the experience,’” says Bay St. Louis Mayor Eddie Favre, shaking his head in amazement.
Their motivations for helping are diverse, but many explain their involvement in terms of faith or patriotism -- or sometimes both.
“It’s a calling of our Christian faith. It’s what’s required of us,” says 35-year-old Mike Zeiderman, who came to Hancock County from Michigan as a United Methodist Church volunteer. “But it’s also being an American. This was bigger than Pearl Harbor, bigger than 9-11.”
Most observers agree that the faith-based organizations deserve the majority of the credit for picking up where government and private organizations left off -- helping to feed and clothe homeless residents, clearing debris and doing repair work.
Mainstream Christian denominations have been most active in the area, but Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Scientologist and Jehovah’s Witness groups also have assisted in the recovery effort, they say.
But a year after the storm, there is concern in Hancock County that the river of volunteerism may be slackening, which would be a major blow to this hard-hit area where the Katrina cleanup is still not completed and local governments are teetering on the brink of insolvency.
Declining numbers seen
Joe Williams, Hancock County’s coordinator for volunteers and donations, said he has seen a noticeable decline in the response since the beginning of hurricane season on June 1.
“Some camps that had an average of 150 to 300 are now down to 30 to 75,” he says.
Williams believes the drop-off is in part attributable to the fact that skilled workers – particularly in demand as the focus shifts from relief to rebuilding – are in the midst of their own building seasons at home and that the numbers will pick up again in the fall.
He also is counting on repeat volunteers to fuel a sustained recovery effort that he says will require the gift of their manpower for a minimum of “three to five years.”
“People who come here become part of your family, and you always want to see your family,” is how he explains the repeat visitors.
That certainly applies to Zeiderman, who felt the pull as soon as it came time to leave.
“I came down for three months as a volunteer and when my time was up, I realized I couldn’t go home,” he says.
Mike Zeiderman
He solved his dilemma by landing a job as a host site coordinator with the Mississippi Conference for United Methodists at “Camp Gulfside,” a relief organization that exists only through the efforts of volunteers and $10,000 a month in donations needed to keep it running. His new wife, Annette, also works for the organization, and the couple moved to the area in January.
Zeiderman’s job involves getting the volunteers to a job site where they are needed and making sure they are aware of both the duties and dangers – dehydration, heat stroke, snakes, black widow spiders, etc. -- of a stint on the disaster’s front lines.
Residents first, homes second
Briefing a group of eight volunteers from the First United Methodist Church in West Point, Miss. – all but one of them veterans of previous missions in the area – Zeiderman urges them to concentrate on the residents they are helping more than the physical labor.
“Our focus is rebuild the hearts first, the homes second,” he tells them. “If they want to talk or they offer to cook you lunch, please allow them to do so.”
He then dispatches most of the group to help put the finishing touches on the foundation of a new home built entirely by volunteers.
They arrive just in time for a blessing of Colleen McDevitt’s new pink home with a “Thank you, Jesus” sign hanging above the front door.
John White, a retired Los Angeles city firefighter who is president of Firefighters for Christ, presides over the ceremony, leading a group of about 40 volunteers in prayer and then dabbing a bit of oil above the door jamb in a ritual borrowed from the Old Testament.
White says he met McDevitt, 52, in mid-September during his first visit to the area, then returned to California and bought $5,000 or $6,000 worth of tools and a trailer and set off to Mississippi.
All told, he says, firefighters from all over California and Washington made seven trips to the area – staying between seven and 10 days each time – to complete the project.
“And all the guys who came down paid their own way and arranged for vacation,” he says.
Also on hand for the blessing of the house are volunteers from the Cornerstone Calvary Chapel in Howell, N.J., including Glenn Nelsen and his family.
Nelsen said the highlight of the trip came when his kids – Michael, 14; Robert, 12; Steven, 11; and Sarah, 9 – all pitched in on the job.
“I didn’t tell them to do anything and they just started in,” he says, beaming. “That was the cool moment.”
Overcome with emotion
McDevitt, who ran a flower shop before the storm, is overwhelmed with emotion at the blessing, but manages to get a few heartfelt words out through the tears.
“I’d like to thank God for my home,” she says. “He’s brought some amazing people into my life.”
Williams and Zeiderman are working to ensure that other residents get the opportunity to be similarly moved by people’s kindness in the coming months.
Read previous posts on the volunteers:
Church volunteers show staying power
Williams says he is working on a plan to place skilled volunteers with local contractors “so we can pass on cost savings to residents and ensure work for local contractors.”
For his part, Zeiderman says he urges departing volunteers to even higher levels of involvement.
“I always send them home with the message ‘Your work is not done.’ You need to spread the word to local newspapers and television stations … and, especially with preachers, I tell them to put a challenge out to other local churches to help. Tell them what you’ve seen and how much still needs to be done.”
For victims, the bell tolls
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This is the kind of thing that matters.
John Irby (Sent Aug 29, 2006 5:19:58 AM)
Thank you all... God bless you and please don't forget us. If given the chance, we would do the same for all of you without hesitation.
Vanessa, Waveland, MS (Sent Aug 29, 2006 6:48:58 AM)
Just awesome...truly awesome...that we as Americans can come together and look beyond diferences and see the "need" and be a blessing to each other...thank you so much for this story..
Steve Ares, Whittier, CA (Sent Aug 29, 2006 9:31:08 AM)
Our town could not have survived if it had not been for the volunteers. Thank you so much!
TS, Bay St Louis, MS (Sent Aug 29, 2006 10:01:23 AM)
I Pray that Jesus will lead more people to continue in the clean-up efforts. All the volunteers that still remail Rock! Thank you for your obedience to the call that God has for you in this season.
Keturah (Sent Aug 29, 2006 10:01:42 AM)
On this anniversary of the destruction of so many lives, I add my thoughts of thanks to the people of BSL and Waveland for the opportunity to come into their lives. They say everything happens for a reason, fate brought me to the area, but the people keep me going back. I remember you all today and thank you for accepting us into your lives. The most wonderful, loving and caring people I have ever met. God Bless you and your recovery. Hope to see you again, soon.
Peggy, fla. (Sent Aug 29, 2006 10:10:53 AM)
As a church volunteer, I went to Camp Coast Care (Lutheran Episcopal Disaster Relief) for a few days because I wanted to help and because I felt this was something God was calling me to do. I didn't realize how my life would be forever changed by the experience and more so by the people I met while there. Through the inspiration of my daughter who spent seven weeks volunteering there, I discovered that one person really can make a difference. I know that God blessed me so richly by sending me to Long Beach last fall. I wish the nation would remember the good things that happened, rather than the negative images of New Orleans playing on the Nightly News. To me, remembering Katrina means remembering the beautiful, resilient people who survived. Y'all are amazing! God bless you!
Cher (Sent Aug 29, 2006 10:20:08 AM)
It is wonderful and reassuring to read these messages and realize that America still has kind and loving Christan people in her midst. God Bless the volunters and the people in need of assistance.
Ken R. Enid, Oklahoma (Sent Aug 29, 2006 12:39:09 PM)
Batten down the hatches Florida!...I hope this one don't do y'all bad. Good luck. A storm is never good..no matter how small.
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Aug 29, 2006 1:01:30 PM)
A year after this terrible storm, I still hear the sadness and frustration from friends and family. However, everyday brings new life and new hope to our battered lives.We have many kind and giving people to thank for that.Faith based groups whoset aside their own lives to help us when times were the worst. Those of you who sent donations and offered prayers.People who encouraged us thru kind words like Andy from booneville who always has an encouraging loving word to offer these threads. The wonderful people at MSNBC, who have yet to give up on getting the message out.Last but not least, those cities, counties, churches and individuals who opened up doors to take in evacuees and pets...please know that we haven't forgotten, nor will we ever forget these many kind and unselfish deeds. They are what kept us alive.
thank you all,
Liz Zimmerman
waveland
Liz Zimmerman (Sent Aug 29, 2006 2:12:21 PM)
Since October 2005 central Pennsylvania's Lend A Hand has taken more than 400 volunteers on monthly, nine day missions to D'Iberville, Ms. The people who leave Harrisburg, Pa on a Capitol Trailways bus are not the same people who come back to Harrisburg. They are transformed. Helping others; loving your neighbor is a life changing act of kindness. God bless all those who show up and do the job of helping others and God bless our neighbors across the Gulf Coast! We're on our way to Mississippi, again!
Skip Becker, Hershey, Pa. (Sent Aug 29, 2006 2:24:26 PM)
I was one of those firefighters who went down there to help out...It was the Lord who truly cares about those people and who is sending His people down there...The praise goes to Him!
Eric, Lynnwood, Washington (Sent Aug 29, 2006 2:29:47 PM)
Thanks so much for your continued stories about the people in Mississippi. Even a year later the press is mainly remembering New Orleans. Thank you for not forgetting the people in Mississippi. There is still so much to be done. After 4 trips to the coast to help, I have been blessed each time by the incredible people we have met. Please help us continue to remember and help all of them. Thanks, Julie
Julie Gray, West Point, MS (Sent Aug 29, 2006 3:12:13 PM)
God Bless each of you volunteers for sharing your time and hearts with the people of New Orleans. I know we could bring lasting Peace to the Middle East and where ever there is war if the people fighting could understand that we are all brothers and sisters with the same Parent God. Your example brings us all one step closer fulfilling Jesus prayer "Thy Kingdom come ....on Earth as in Heaven"
Mike Smith (Sent Aug 29, 2006 3:14:18 PM)
I was one of those that went on the third trip with Fire Fighters for Christ. It was amazing to see the outpouring of love from all around the country. To God be the glory!
Y. Kim, Fullerton, California (Sent Aug 29, 2006 4:14:31 PM)
As I read about all of the Katrina volunteers helping with Mississippi, I seldom see any comments about the New Orleans area and the volunteers there. Am I just missing something here, or do others feel the same way?
Rebekah Mize, Irving, Tx (Sent Aug 29, 2006 4:14:41 PM)
I've been down twice this year on mission trips. On the last trip while working on a house a homeless man walked past and we ask how he was doing, his reply "Better now that I see people doing God's work". Once you go down and start helping it is so hard to leave. God Bless them all.
Dave Allabaugh, Newark delaware (Sent Aug 29, 2006 4:15:49 PM)
A year later and I still find myself weeping. Last year for my family members that perished in the storm, this year in joy for the people that took the time to listen to the call of God. Mississippi- thank you so much for making me proud to call you home for the majority of my life and to all of the volunteers, thank you for making me proud to be Christian. You have helped my family, clothed those without, fed the hungry- body and mind, given hope to the hopeless. Thank you is not enough. God knows your reward.
Lisa H, Mobile, AL (Sent Aug 29, 2006 4:24:53 PM)
A group of 11 from our church were in Gulfport, MS for a week rebuilding a home in July. We have already scheduled our week for next year again through Westminster Presbyterian church of Gulfport. If we could figure out how to get more time off from our jobs we would come down sooner.
Kathy b., Waukesha, WI (Sent Aug 29, 2006 5:13:48 PM)
I am glad that some of you people have woke up to the needs of other people. I have volunteered with a NGO for the past 5 years(and I still work a forty hour work week.) I hope that when this is over you will rember that there are people in your own communities that need your help and kindness.
Rick, St. Louis , Missouri (Sent Aug 29, 2006 6:32:09 PM)
Last Sepember 2005, just a few weeks after hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I was asked to be a part of our mission team from First United Methodist Church in West Point, MS. Of course, I signed up without any hesitation. I have since had the opportunity to be on 4 other missions to the Gulf Coast and hope to continue whenever called upon.
I have been truly blessed with each trip. Everyone has welcomed us with loving arms into their lives and into their hearts. I want to "thank" them for allowing us to do what little we have been able to do for them. They will always have a special place in my heart!
tricia smith, west point. ms (Sent Aug 29, 2006 6:48:33 PM)
I was down in Mississippi earlier this summer on a high school mission trip with my church helping reroof a house.It was amazing.The people dont care about material possesions so much as they do their family and their amazing faith.Stuff is getting better.And with Gos help anything can happen
Amy M ,Portland OR (Sent Aug 29, 2006 7:21:52 PM)
I want to thank the tens of thousands of people who had to be here and those who volunteered to be here. We're in a big hole but we will get out. We thank the nation for its support; we have done the same for the rest of you when you were crushed.
I beg those, who feel obligated to be the moral and political judges of the region, country and world to please quit using us as pawns for your causes; it diminishes the value of your contributions and only makes us feel angry and powerless. Please leave your political causes outside of our devastated area; it adds nothing to our recovery and makes only you, not us, feel better.
Kevin Pollard, Metairie Louisiana (Sent Aug 29, 2006 10:47:14 PM)
Are there any NON RELIGIOUS volunteer trip group camps going down to help?
I would be interested in helping out on a non relgious based volunteer trip for a week or so.
As much as I appreciate all of the hard work that the religous groups have put forth, I fundamentally believe that we should help eachother, not because some god or a book, or the Bible instructs, but, because it truly sucks to see people in pain and in hardship. I also do not want to deal with excessive prostelizing.
HeatherD, Denver, CO (Sent Aug 30, 2006 12:11:40 AM)
Our church team went to Chalmette last April. It was as if each of us was walking into a massive wall of water, extending as far as the eye can see, with nothing more than a 2-gallon bucket. Two hands were on the bucket; ours and God's, and we approached the overwhelming wall determined to get the two gallons to which God was leading us! We return in October; perhaps this time to get four gallons!
Tony Niles, Springfield, VA (Sent Aug 30, 2006 9:55:17 AM)
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