D'Iberville Volunteers Foundation says goodbye
Last night, I hugged John Rigby goodbye. He and his daughter left early this morning. They were the last of the volunteers to leave after the Reunion/Parade of Homes on June 21. They had worked all week on Miss Maggie's house, getting it to a stage with drywall hung so that they could feel confident in turning it over to another team. That team will have to come from another camp. As Luke told me in an interview many months ago, we have to have faith that others will follow us to continue the Good Work. Because while DVF has done a Herculean job, there are still a few homes left in D'Iberville to finish.
The D'Iberville Volunteers Foundation is closed. Next month, the tents will come down. Some supplies will be stored for the next hurricane but most of the supplies will be distributed to other non-profit agencies. I will be moving over to Hands On Gulf Coast in Biloxi. It's hard saying goodbye to what has been my home base for the past 18 months. I'm looking forward to new challenges but will certainly miss my tent and the cheerful dinners that were a hallmark of this place.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Makin' Frozen Margaritas
The Sun Herald published a story yesterday that was noteworthy for two reasons: First, Representative Gene Taylor was quoted calling FEMA "buttheads". My friend, Doris, told me that and I thought she was kidding until I saw it myself. The second reason is the cause for Rep. Taylor using such colorful language: FEMA has announced that they will not provide ice after future storms and disasters. Is the reasoning behind this economical or logistical? No. It is because ice is a "luxury item".
Now, in the case of makin' frozen margaritas, I can see the argument that ice might be a luxury post-disaster. But when the electricity infrastructure is ripped to shreds, there is no running water and it is over 100 degrees, then perhaps ice is the only thing standing between you keeping your few precious food stores from a bacteria fiesta. It might be the difference between life and death.
This decision marks yet another example of how little FEMA has learned about disasters.
The Sun Herald published a story yesterday that was noteworthy for two reasons: First, Representative Gene Taylor was quoted calling FEMA "buttheads". My friend, Doris, told me that and I thought she was kidding until I saw it myself. The second reason is the cause for Rep. Taylor using such colorful language: FEMA has announced that they will not provide ice after future storms and disasters. Is the reasoning behind this economical or logistical? No. It is because ice is a "luxury item".
Now, in the case of makin' frozen margaritas, I can see the argument that ice might be a luxury post-disaster. But when the electricity infrastructure is ripped to shreds, there is no running water and it is over 100 degrees, then perhaps ice is the only thing standing between you keeping your few precious food stores from a bacteria fiesta. It might be the difference between life and death.
This decision marks yet another example of how little FEMA has learned about disasters.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Endings and Beginnings
The past few weeks have been enormously busy down here on the Gulf Coast. The camp where I live, D'Iberville Volunteers Foundation, is preparing to close its tent flaps. In a few weeks, on June 21 and 22, we will be hosting an enormous celebration to showcase the nearly 1,000 homes that DVF has repaired, rehabbed and built from scratch since August 2005. I'm proud to have been a part of such a dynamic organization that has made such a profound impact on so many.
Another ending: The Red Cross just announced that it has allocated its last funds for this disaster. They have spent millions here to help, but there is so much more to do. Thankfully, more groups are starting or shifting shape to accommodate the ongoing needs facing residents here. In Waveland, three VISTA volunteers have taken initiative to start DreamFuel to focus on the challenges of engaging teenagers in volunteering and positive activities. In the 9th Ward in Louisiana, where hundreds of homes still need to be gutted, a man named Mack has started The Village with a vision to bring together community groups and residents to cut through the red tape of recovery.
One important chapter is closing this month, but there's a lot of book left to read. If you'd like to volunteer, please feel free to email me to find out how we can match you with the best opportunity.
The past few weeks have been enormously busy down here on the Gulf Coast. The camp where I live, D'Iberville Volunteers Foundation, is preparing to close its tent flaps. In a few weeks, on June 21 and 22, we will be hosting an enormous celebration to showcase the nearly 1,000 homes that DVF has repaired, rehabbed and built from scratch since August 2005. I'm proud to have been a part of such a dynamic organization that has made such a profound impact on so many.
Another ending: The Red Cross just announced that it has allocated its last funds for this disaster. They have spent millions here to help, but there is so much more to do. Thankfully, more groups are starting or shifting shape to accommodate the ongoing needs facing residents here. In Waveland, three VISTA volunteers have taken initiative to start DreamFuel to focus on the challenges of engaging teenagers in volunteering and positive activities. In the 9th Ward in Louisiana, where hundreds of homes still need to be gutted, a man named Mack has started The Village with a vision to bring together community groups and residents to cut through the red tape of recovery.
One important chapter is closing this month, but there's a lot of book left to read. If you'd like to volunteer, please feel free to email me to find out how we can match you with the best opportunity.
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