WAVELAND, Miss. – Phil and Donna Fairchild wanted something other than cruises and bridge games for their golden years.
“When Phil retired three years ago, we thought there had to be a lot more to retirement than playing golf and living on the lake,” says Donna.
They found it here -- living in a 30-foot trailer, working 12 to 15 hours a day, six and seven days a week for an entire year as Hurricane Katrina volunteers.
The Fairchilds, who are finally about to take some time off after running a large Methodist relief camp, are superstars among the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who have flocked here to help rebuild the Gulf Coast and earn the undying gratitude of a community that was brought to its knees by the deadly storm of Aug. 29, 2005.
Believe what you want about how the government responded after Katrina, but take this on faith: Without the millions of volunteer hours logged by the Fairchilds and others over the past two years the hurricane zone would not have come nearly as far as it has. And faith was exactly what brought the lion’s share of these Samaritans here and keeps them coming -- motivated, organized and deployed by religious organizations.
“Faith-based organizations have just been unbelievable,” says Waveland Mayor Tommy Longo, who promises that the names of all volunteer groups and sister cities will be read aloud at Wednesday’s two-year Katrina anniversary observance in his city. “That in itself may take an hour, but I think it is almost as important now to read those as the names of the deceased because these people have done so much for us.”
All told, according to the federal government’s Corporation for National and Community Service, a little over 1 million civilian volunteers have donated their time and talents to Katrina relief efforts, a total of 14 million hours. In the last year alone, they have rebuilt or repaired nearly 10,000 homes, served meals to 1,800 people a month, built 59 playgrounds and started construction on more than 1,000 new homes.
Group has worked on 92 homes
In their time at Camp Gulfside, operated by the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the Fairchilds have focused on residential construction projects, overseeing the rehab of 82 homes and the construction of 10. The help is available for the asking to storm victims who are elderly, single parents, disabled or meet other criteria.
Phil, 64, retired after 30 years as a mechanical engineer at the Oak Ridge, Tenn., federal nuclear weapons plant, organized the camp’s job board and directed constructions crews. Donna, 60, who previously worked as a medical-imaging technician, handled the camp’s logistics.
The couple wound up here after testing the waters on a few previous Methodist trips specially designed to attract volunteers who could provide their own housing in the form of recreational vehicles. In February 2006, they worked on Katrina relief efforts in Dulac, La., passing through Hancock County on the way back to their home in Loudon, Tenn.
“We saw all the destruction and we just knew we had to come back,” says Donna. As if on cue, they saw an appeal three months later for a volunteer couple to manage the Waveland camp. They applied and were accepted in August 2006. “We were down here a week later,” their Tennessee residence locked up for a year in which they have only been home once.
Now, it’s time for a vacation, and the Fairchilds will return to Tennessee to recharge their batteries and visit their three children and two grandchildren. After that, they have no doubts they’ll return to the volunteer trail.
“God has done a work on me,” says Donna, blond, energetic and far younger-looking than her age. “This experience has caused me to look at material things differently, when I think how we have struggled to come up with money to pay for a foundation when I have a rug on my floor at home that would more than cover it.”
'This changes your outlook'
“I’m not a Bible thumper, but this changes your outlook,” says Phil, whose head of white hair, full white beard and twinkling eyes give him the appearance of a skinny Santa. “The only real way most of us know to be obedient to God is to give back to others.”
The departure of the Fairchilds raises the issue of the continuing need for relief and rebuilding help. All observers agree that there will be work for outside volunteers in the hurricane zone for a long time to come.
While the Corporation for National and Community Service says volunteer numbers actually increased from 550,000 in the first year after the storm to 600,000 in the second, Hancock County observers all are certain that numbers fell dramatically here.
“Far more volunteers came through the first year,” says Kathleen Johnson, who organizes volunteers at Katrina Relief in Waveland. “It’s definitely fallen off,” agrees Mayor Longo.
Chris Bowers, who coordinates Katrina efforts for the Methodist group, says their first-year volunteer total of 25,000 fell by about half in the second year, leading to plans to shut two of the five camps current in operation by next spring. But he expected the decline and remains pleased by the number of volunteers who are still showing up.
Wendy McDonald, the local Habitat for Humanity program manager, is having trouble finding as many volunteers as she needs, as is Shannon Lennox at the Christian Life Center camp in Waveland.
Skilled volunteers in high demand
All of the organizations are especially eager to get volunteers with construction skills. “I need supervising carpenters,” says Johnson. “I need electricians that can work alongside youths, plumbers that can work alongside youths. They get 10 times as much work done and the kids learn a skill set and when they come back, they are better prepared.”
The Corporation for National and Community Service suggests that would-be volunteers who are looking to help in the Katrina zone start at www.volunteer.gov, which indexes a “comprehensive listing of volunteer opportunities in the gulf and across the nation.”
Asked how she would persuade volunteers to come to the hurricane zone, Donna Fairchild says, “It’s really been a blessing, it’s been a ministry to us, we’ve seen miracles. I would guarantee this would not be your last mission.”
“It has been an abundance,” agrees Phil. “And abundance doesn’t mean material things. It means how you feel when you get up in the morning.”
“High on life, you could say,” adds Donna.
Bringing back the bees
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Great story. I hope NBC will also include stories like this on the National TV news to spotlight the accomplishments of volunteers and to highlight the
continuing need for volunteers. I went down to Chalmette from VA for a week in May to help Operation Blessing rebuild a recreation center. It is a community resource that provides a decent place for local kids to play.
Mike Brown, Virginia Beach, VA (Sent Aug 28, 2007 1:37:05 PM)
All that money donated! Billions! Disappeared! The most corrupt city in the nation! Then, my tax dollars, 140 million, went to rebuild a football stadium for millionaire sports players to play in!! All in a city that is sinking more every year! What did/does the Federal government do for the Florida hurricane victims? Nothing! Bush jr and Jeb flew in, shook some hands, handed out bottled water and ice, then flew back out. Why are my tax dollars going to rebuild a corrupt area like Louisiana? Could it be yet again another example of reverse racism? We trip over ourselves to help the poor, poor blacks. New Orleans is now the murder capital of the U.S.
JT (Sent Aug 28, 2007 1:42:17 PM)
I was part of a group of 23 people from Seattle's Wood Construction Center that traveled down to the St. Bernard Parish to help rebuild homes. Our trip was funded by an outstanding donor who paid for our roundtrip plane ticket, our food, transportation, and lodging at Camp Hope for one week. Our volunteer efforts in the St. Bernard Parish may not have been possible without her. I was honored to be apart of a fantastic team, but I was mostly humbled by the residents of the St. Bernard Parish who are doing their best to survive with what little they were left with. There is definetly more rebuilding to do and I hope that we, at the Wood Construction Center, will have another opportunity to volunteer soon.
Brenda, Seattle, WA (Sent Aug 28, 2007 1:53:22 PM)
The true meaning of service! Tennessee Volunteers! Hats off to the Fairchilds.
Memphian, Memphis, TN (Sent Aug 28, 2007 2:01:58 PM)
CB,
Thanks for providing the black cloud that this silver lining needed. If that's "all the crime" this area has for a while, I'm ok with that. My experience has been that the residents have been extremely appreciative, and you can't let one bad experience taint the whole amazing process.
Rebecca, formerly of the Bay & Waveland (Sent Aug 28, 2007 2:06:42 PM)
I had never been to the South and had the opportunity to go with my church (Rose Drive Friends)to Wiggins and Waveland Ms. after the Katrina disaster. I couldn't believe the devastation. There was nothing left on the coast but foundations, with a few small boats and bathtubs in trees. I have been there 4 times and plan to go again. What I found the most amazing was the faith and strength of the people there. They were an inspiration to me and I received much more than I gave. God bless these wonderful people.There is something for everyone one to do. I learned to mud, sand and paint houses. What a neat thing to learn after retirement.
Bonni Korn Yorba Linda, Ca. (Sent Aug 28, 2007 2:12:07 PM)
For volunteer opportunities you can always get involved in United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) or help build flood kits through UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). You do not need to be well-off. Generally UMVIM trips are 1 week long and involve the volunteer paying their travel costs, unless your church is willing assist. Our church pays 60% of travel costs for volunteers. Generally there are churches or other groups in affected areas that may offer to house and feed you for free during the time you are volunteering. For more information go to:
http://www.umvim.org/home.htm
http://www.gbgm-umc.org/bwvim/Page.asp?ID=1
Neil, Millersville, Maryland (Sent Aug 28, 2007 2:13:06 PM)
We have to be proud of everyone that gives of their time, money and talent to help others...My question,like others, what happened to all the money???Everyone, rich or poor gave money...Children gave..and all this is very good...but millions were sent, and millions wasted or went into someones pocket...Americans are the best, and by nature we want to help, but when we see the waste then next time people will not give.....it,s a shame when people work so hard and someone is there to steal...
Kacy Troy,Tennessee (Sent Aug 28, 2007 2:21:26 PM)
I was there in April 2006 for two week at The Free Church on the Annunciation's triage center. What a group of volunteers from around the country working there. Churches would come by an offer items that we needed, (just happen to have a few cases of bleach or water)and then drive on. A truck pulling a wells fargo trailer came up from Texas and dropped off about 2000 personal care packages, unloaded and then went back, agin what a group.
Thanks to you all.
Roamn Melnyk, San fernando Valley, CA (Sent Aug 28, 2007 2:24:13 PM)
I am thrilled to see so many people giving their time to help those in need on the Gulf Coast. I will be heading over on Thursday to help, I only wish all the Presidential hopefuls that are there visiting during the 2nd year anniversary, could roll up a sleve and help pitch in too
Kathleen Krause, Grand Junction, CO (Sent Aug 28, 2007 2:25:06 PM)
Thanks for this heart warming story, there is still some hope for this old world...huh?
tanya owen, muskogee, ok. (Sent Aug 28, 2007 2:28:18 PM)
Great article. There is still so much that needs to be done for the Katrina survivors and to the devastated areas. Thank God for these volunteers, because the government has certainly failed in its duty.
Kerry, Brooklyn, NY (Sent Aug 28, 2007 2:28:40 PM)
As a volunteer in Texas after Katrina I continue to see encouraging news about the local people's efforts to rebuild. I'm sure alot has changed since the street lights come back on. The hard part is to except that some low-lying areas are too high risk to bother to rebuild.
Alan Schwemlein, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Aug 28, 2007 2:31:52 PM)
We in South Mississiippi would be lost without the out pouring of support and love from the volunteers across this nation. I would like to personally thank the Central Arkansas Baptist Relief Group that came to Laurel,MS two days after Katrina to help us dig out. We are over 120 miles inland and sustained 130 mile winds and 70 plus tornadoes that day. 12 lives were lost that day in Laurel and Jones county. No, we did not make the news, but the wonderful volunteers seemed to find us in our need!!!
God Bless all who have come to help re-build our beautiful Gulf Coast region and New Orleans.
Cynthia Laurel, MS (Sent Aug 28, 2007 2:37:21 PM)
I'm especially proud to have been a "Mother Hen" chaperone on volunteer teams to Bayou la Batre, AL in March of 2006 and 2007. Our teams from southwestern PA were combinations of local church adults & Rotary Youth Exchange students - a total of 28 international teens from around the globe who were spending a high school year in the USA. There was no task too dirty, too hard or too humbling for these young people to tackle, many of them meeting a simple hammer for the first time in their lives and learning to handle power tools with aplomb! They reconstructed, deconstructed and gathered trailer loads of trash and debris for landfills, while interacting with the families whose homes needed the repairs. They learned more about Rotary's motto "Service Above Self" in those weeks than they might have in many years AND that it's NOT governments but ordinary people who make the greatest difference when they serve others in need. These teens took new concepts of serving their fellow man home to their own countries and the world will be a better place for it!
Katy Doran, Greensburg, PA (Sent Aug 28, 2007 2:46:04 PM)
These people are truly little gifts from above! I pray for New Orleans & their people every night!
N. Murphy (Sent Aug 28, 2007 3:01:40 PM)
If the Jehovah's Witnesses were the first ones there for relief efforts they were right behind the Southern Baptist Feeding units. We had to chainsaw our way in and were feeding two days after the storm
Mike Stricklin, Crump TN (Sent Aug 28, 2007 3:03:36 PM)
As a three-time volunteer and college student who has organized over 100 volunteers, I am glad to see this work continuting. Here at Georgia Tech, we have vowed to make sure that we maintain support and a volunteer base and continue to increase volunteer participants. On a more personal note, because I have family that was affected by the hurricance, I truly appreciate every person who has gone above and beyond to provide whatever service they could to the region. My grandfather and grandmother and all my family is truly grateful.
Lauren, Atlanta, GA via Houston, TX (Sent Aug 28, 2007 3:29:04 PM)
I have been two times to the Waveland area to help. I am a working mom and took vacation time to go with my daughter and friends to help Eight Days of Hope. We could only stay part of the time (not the whole 8 days), but what we did and the people we met canged our lives. This summer we went to a third world country for a mission trip and we agreed it looks a lot like the Gulf Coast. We want to return as soon as we can to continue the effort. May God get the glory!
GB, Bearden, Arkansas. (Sent Aug 28, 2007 3:38:22 PM)
Our church sent volunteers to New Orleans right after Katrina. The stories the folks told described the unimaginable. Last year, I was able to see scenes that will be etched in my heart forever. They were scenes of a nation intent on helping these folks regain their lives, self respect and independence while around them stood- and I mean STOOD- federal, state and local governmental agencies paralized by their own self generated regulations rather than directly helping the very citizens who through their taxes had paid to establish agencies to respond to citizen needs.
It really did not matter what religions were represented but most importantly that PEOPLE were volunteering to help their neighbors across the country. Helping people to know that other people not only cared but came to restore life as the residents had it.
Bill D, Fishersville, VA (Sent Aug 28, 2007 3:58:43 PM)
As a national American Red Cross volunteer who came and stayed in a shelter in Waveland I was at first outraged because the plight of only New Orleans seemed to be getting the news coverage. My hat is off to Brian Williams and his crew for first "yelling" to the nation that Mississippi was forever impacted by Katrina. On the one year anniversary, I returned to the area and saw so much had been cleaned up but homes were not being as readily constructed as were the casinos! Now,everyone about the Gulf Coast has the problems of finding home insurance, as most companies quit insuring along the Gulf. I am among those persons who has relocated to the Gulf Coast region and try to help as a volunteer. I look forward to traveling along routes 10 and 98 tomorrow on the second "anniversary" with hopes of seeing a lot more homes rebuilt.
B. Valentine, Mobile, Al (Sent Aug 28, 2007 4:01:36 PM)
This is Bush's plan to make faith based organizations solve all the ails of a country .
God forbid should the government have to help solve America's problems.
These people do great works but the government should be doing and paying for this.
God forbid no entitlements .
jacqueline grant (Sent Aug 28, 2007 4:22:25 PM)
I have been down to MS three times now and turned 70 years of age during my last trip which just happened to be to Waveland. Stayed in facility provided by Lagniappe Pres. Church. Habitat Greenville SC built a "Home in a Box" in Waveland and without a doubt that week was better than Christmas on "the mill hill". I was amazed at the testimony of the MS people as to the determination to rebuild. I thank God for giving me the strength to make such a small contribution. I would go back tomorrow given an organized opportunity. By the way I shall never forget Chris and Jeremiah of Habitat Waveland. Those guys are a walking testimony of Faith.
Arthur Phillips (Sent Aug 28, 2007 4:23:20 PM)
It's wonderful to hear of people doing the things they are doing to help the victims of Katrina. Our little church is getting ready to send a second team to Slidell, LA. We went last year to help rebuild homes, and another group is returning in September to do whatever is needed in cooperation with our sister Methodist church there. Praise God for all the volunteers!
Carol Cyphert, Cabot, PA (Sent Aug 28, 2007 4:50:08 PM)
First, "THANK YOU!".
Next, how can we and others help you to continue your work and helping in the affected areas. I have heard of another couple from NCarolina working in New Orleans full-time also. Is there a web-site or other way to connect potential volunteers with your needs and your work.
Marie Cahal, Kennesaw, Georgia (Sent Aug 28, 2007 5:04:36 PM)
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