Whew! We are in the swing of things now! We've spent three solid days working on our projects and I know we're making progress.
Here's what's happened in the last few days:
On Tuesday, Phil and Krup's group did a lot more mudding, sanding, and joint compounding. Krup, Laura, and Jerry installed sheetrock into the bathrooms. We are so fortunate to have a great foreman instruct us. Bridget and I installed some metal pieces in corners using a power drill (definitely another first for me). Midday we breaked for lunch at a park and met up with Tom and Sally's group. On Tuesday night, Camp Victor shows a documentary made by WLOX that traces the progression of the storm, shows before and after, and the area in its initial stages of devestation. It is hard for a lot of us to imagine water that reached the ceiling!
Wednesday began with slightly cooler weather than we were used to! Phil and Krup's groups began finishing touches on the mudding and joint compounding. We were taught how to "float" the joints and mud the corners. It's not an easy process, but we found it works well with teamwork. We stopped work around 10:30 to go visit Sally and Tom's group. They are well on their way in their house.
We then drove to Woolmarket, about 1/2 hour away, to go to a Senior Center in Harrison County. Livingston CARES has made a ten year commitment to the people of Harrison County to help them rebuild their homes and communities. We were joined by Nick Mazza, Livingston County Administrator, and Cynthia Oswald, President of the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce. Cynthia was very instrumental in creating our relationship with Harrison County shortly after the storm occured. We ate a wonderful lunch of smoked chicken, seafood gumbo, lima beans, and okra salad. Then, we went to the Woolmarket Fields to dedicate a flagpole. We brought a flag of both Livingston County and New York State. It was a great way to celebrate our long-term commitment to this area. We then returned to work- and had a great rest of the day!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Our First Day!
Our group was split up today into 2 groups. Team C and A worked on 1 house and Team B and D worked on another. Here's what they had to say!
Today we got our assignments and split up into two groups. My group went to a house owned by a woman who's son was going to be the sixth generation of people in his family to live there. They both stopped by in the afternoon and it was really inspirational to actually be able to see the people whose house we are helping to improve. The house had been flooded and was pretty much gutted. Our group was working alongside two very helpful contractors who showed us the ropes. We did things like put up drywall, sanded sheet rock, took apart and assembled vinyl siding.
-Team C!
Today was our first day of work and what an improvement over last year! Our supervisor was both knowledgeable and helpful >he explained what we needed to do and boy did we do it. There was mudding,sanding and drywalling all going on at the same time. We got a great deal accomplished on our first day! We also got meet the family we were helping out. A young couple with a young daughter anxiously awaiting the day they would be moving in! We all feel good about what we have done and are anxious to do more!
Team D
Today we got our assignments and split up into two groups. My group went to a house owned by a woman who's son was going to be the sixth generation of people in his family to live there. They both stopped by in the afternoon and it was really inspirational to actually be able to see the people whose house we are helping to improve. The house had been flooded and was pretty much gutted. Our group was working alongside two very helpful contractors who showed us the ropes. We did things like put up drywall, sanded sheet rock, took apart and assembled vinyl siding.
-Team C!
Today was our first day of work and what an improvement over last year! Our supervisor was both knowledgeable and helpful >he explained what we needed to do and boy did we do it. There was mudding,sanding and drywalling all going on at the same time. We got a great deal accomplished on our first day! We also got meet the family we were helping out. A young couple with a young daughter anxiously awaiting the day they would be moving in! We all feel good about what we have done and are anxious to do more!
Team D
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Welcome to Biloxi!
Wow, what a day it has been! After some much needed rest, we started our morning off Southern-style with breakfast at the Waffle House (Denny's for others). We then drove to downtown Biloxi to see what the area looked like.
We saw the memorial to Hurricane Katrina, full of personal belongings from the storm. For myself and others in the group, it was incomprehensible to imagine the huge wall of water surging into buildings. Evidence of the destruction is evident-- an Exxon sign with no gas station, or stairs that lead to a once-present foundation. FEMA trailers are still there. Throughout downtown Biloxi, progress is evident as well- casinos have rebuilt, and houses are up. We drove through Lee Street and saw Yankie Stadium where previous Livingston CARES work groups have stayed. Infamous "Xs" on the wall are there, indicating when the house was inspected, by whom, and how many deceased where there.
From Biloxi, we drove to Walmart to get some supplies for our stay. After that, we drove to the Gulf of Mexico (about a 2 mile walk from Camp Victor) and spent the afternoon walking and wading in the mostly warm water. I can say that is a first- to wade in the water in January!
After some more relaxation, we headed out to The Shed, a famous BBQ place that many Livingston CARES volunteers have gone to. The food was amazing! We saw a magician and enjoyed relaxing outside talking. For the evening, we had an orientation at Camp Victor with the other groups staying here. There will be roughly 200 people here (including church groups from Pennsylvania and Wisconsin as well as Habitat for Humanity).
We were fortunate to hear Suzie's story tonight about her experience in Hurricane Katrina. A life-long resident of Ocean Springs, her church acted as a Red Cross shelter after the Hurricane. Those displaced stayed at there for many months. It's been a long road for residents here, and promises to provide more challenges as we move farther away from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Suzie also mentioned that FEMA plans to remove its trailers by March 1st and remove the Katrina cottages (semi-permanent housing).
Tomorrow we will begin our work in East Biloxi. We're unsure of the work yet, but anxious to begin!
We saw the memorial to Hurricane Katrina, full of personal belongings from the storm. For myself and others in the group, it was incomprehensible to imagine the huge wall of water surging into buildings. Evidence of the destruction is evident-- an Exxon sign with no gas station, or stairs that lead to a once-present foundation. FEMA trailers are still there. Throughout downtown Biloxi, progress is evident as well- casinos have rebuilt, and houses are up. We drove through Lee Street and saw Yankie Stadium where previous Livingston CARES work groups have stayed. Infamous "Xs" on the wall are there, indicating when the house was inspected, by whom, and how many deceased where there.
From Biloxi, we drove to Walmart to get some supplies for our stay. After that, we drove to the Gulf of Mexico (about a 2 mile walk from Camp Victor) and spent the afternoon walking and wading in the mostly warm water. I can say that is a first- to wade in the water in January!
After some more relaxation, we headed out to The Shed, a famous BBQ place that many Livingston CARES volunteers have gone to. The food was amazing! We saw a magician and enjoyed relaxing outside talking. For the evening, we had an orientation at Camp Victor with the other groups staying here. There will be roughly 200 people here (including church groups from Pennsylvania and Wisconsin as well as Habitat for Humanity).
We were fortunate to hear Suzie's story tonight about her experience in Hurricane Katrina. A life-long resident of Ocean Springs, her church acted as a Red Cross shelter after the Hurricane. Those displaced stayed at there for many months. It's been a long road for residents here, and promises to provide more challenges as we move farther away from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Suzie also mentioned that FEMA plans to remove its trailers by March 1st and remove the Katrina cottages (semi-permanent housing).
Tomorrow we will begin our work in East Biloxi. We're unsure of the work yet, but anxious to begin!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
We're finally here!
Whew. That's all that we can say after a very long day of traveling. For most of us, our day started by arriving at the Rochester airport at 4:00 A.M. After a de-icing of the plane, we were able to make it to Atlanta on-time. Our 3 volunteers from the New York City area joined us at the Atlanta airport. We had a 3 hour layover in Atlanta before making our connecting flight to New Orleans.
Arriving in New Orleans was surreal. I couldn't believe after all of our planning, packing, and long day of travel, we were here. After getting our rental cars, we drove to Jackson Square in the French Quarter in New Orleans. On our way, we passed the Superdome, where many displaced homeowners spent anxious days after Hurricane Katrina hit.
Once in Jackson Square, our huge group of 25 split off into smaller groups, and wandered about the city. I went to Bourbon Street, saw amazing street performers (jazz, zydeco, tap) and took in the amazingly vibrant environment. Bourbon Street is the area that is famous for Mardi Grad celebrations. We ate real jambalya (sausage, chicken, creole seasonings, and shrimp). MMMM!
We then headed over to Riverwalk, which is on the Mississippi River. It began to rain a little, but that didn't deter us from going to Cafe du Monde to get some wonderful pastry/donuts! After getting to our cars, we began our long trek in pouring rain to Ocean Springs (1 1/2 hours) Mississippi where we will be staying. I think everyone is very excited to be here (finally!) and to be getting a good night's rest.
Tomorrow we will sight-see around the area. I'm happy that we made it safely and that we will beginning what promises to be a wonderful week!
Arriving in New Orleans was surreal. I couldn't believe after all of our planning, packing, and long day of travel, we were here. After getting our rental cars, we drove to Jackson Square in the French Quarter in New Orleans. On our way, we passed the Superdome, where many displaced homeowners spent anxious days after Hurricane Katrina hit.
Once in Jackson Square, our huge group of 25 split off into smaller groups, and wandered about the city. I went to Bourbon Street, saw amazing street performers (jazz, zydeco, tap) and took in the amazingly vibrant environment. Bourbon Street is the area that is famous for Mardi Grad celebrations. We ate real jambalya (sausage, chicken, creole seasonings, and shrimp). MMMM!
We then headed over to Riverwalk, which is on the Mississippi River. It began to rain a little, but that didn't deter us from going to Cafe du Monde to get some wonderful pastry/donuts! After getting to our cars, we began our long trek in pouring rain to Ocean Springs (1 1/2 hours) Mississippi where we will be staying. I think everyone is very excited to be here (finally!) and to be getting a good night's rest.
Tomorrow we will sight-see around the area. I'm happy that we made it safely and that we will beginning what promises to be a wonderful week!
Friday, January 2, 2009
East Biloxi
Here's some links about where we'll be/where we are staying:
East Biloxi Coordination, Relief and Redevelopment Agency (EBCRRA)--- this is the group that will provide us with work:
http://oprahsangelnetwork.org/stories/222-divine-appointments-help-rebuild-community
Camp Victor (where we are staying):
http://campvictor.org/
Happy Reading!
East Biloxi Coordination, Relief and Redevelopment Agency (EBCRRA)--- this is the group that will provide us with work:
http://oprahsangelnetwork.org/stories/222-divine-appointments-help-rebuild-community
Camp Victor (where we are staying):
http://campvictor.org/
Happy Reading!
Leavin' on a Jet Plane
All my bags are packed... I'm ready to go
In less than 8 hours, the Livingston CARES January trip will be leaving the Rochester, NY airport. We'll be in New Orleans around 1:30 P.M. We plan to do some sightseeing in New Orleans before heading to Camp Victor in Mississippi.
Here's hoping this is a great trip!
In less than 8 hours, the Livingston CARES January trip will be leaving the Rochester, NY airport. We'll be in New Orleans around 1:30 P.M. We plan to do some sightseeing in New Orleans before heading to Camp Victor in Mississippi.
Here's hoping this is a great trip!
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