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This was a great week for the Volunteers and for the recipients of their labors, Camille and Buddy of Pearlington, MS. This photo shows Camille and Buddy during a ceremony on Friday throwing the light switch at their home for the first time. The group from Chicago started work on Monday, hit the ground running and did not stop until late on Friday. Their days began at 05:30 and ended late. Bob and Terry were the two Volunteer adults at the site, and with their children and other young adults they were able to wire the entire house and do some extensive first-class carpentry. This is a tremendous accomplishment, since the couple can continue their work at night now that they have electricity. Thanks, Chicago!
Bobby & Camille Throwing the Switch!
Bob, Terry. Group Organizer Kathy Gutierrez and the crew from St. Christina's, Chicago, IL
Helping Hands - the photographer on these three photos is Penne Rappold
Restoring the Grotto at St. Clare Church....... a group of engineering students from University of Loiuisville, with the help and direction of Gerry Mallon, owner of Anchor Custom Homes, spent the week resetting the grotto which has been leaning and sinking since Katrina. Many have tried before, and it was tedious work, but this wonderful group has succeeded! Thanks to all and God Bless!
Groups from all over the country came together during March to lend a hand. Some had returned for their fourth or fifth visits, some came for the first time, but together they accomplished wonderful things in Waveland and Bay St. Louis.
And The Work Goes On.......
 
Volunteers from Indiana use their extensive skills to help rebuild home
Rebuilding is in full swing once again.....
January 10, 2009
December was a quiet month in Waveland/Bay St. Louis, but work is picking up once again, as groups from Indiana, Ohio, South Dakota, and Kentucky have scheduled to come down over the next few months. There is still plenty of work to be done! As we approach the deadline for the removal of MEMA Cottages, hundreds of families are scrambling to find housing. Volunteers are greatly needed and always welcome!
November, 2008
Since the hurricaines have passed, once again we are in full rebuild mode. Several terrific groups have been down in the past month, and we are still awaiting pictures to share with you. In the meantime, Ray Bowman and his crew from Littleton, CO are on the ground, along with Spencer Dowing from York, PA. Ray has been keeping a daily journal which I would like to share with all. Thanks Ray!
From Ray Bowman, Tuesday, November 11, 2009
We have arrived in Waveland, and the weather is wonderful. A slight breeze out of the west. Temps in the low 70s, but very pleasant.
As we came through New Orleans, we were amazed at the looks of the city. Much of the desolation that we'd seen earlier, is gone, and the apartments are being lived in, along with the houses that have been repainted, and looks very nice.
Here in Waveland, there is also lots of rebuilding going on. The city is still working on the roads, and making them a lot better. But, sadly, some of the houses are still vacant, and badly in need of repair. The biggest change I saw was that there is an assistant pastor here at St. Clare. Fr. Pham is here to help him. Don't have any of the details yet. Also, it seems that Brent is not working with the group any longer. So we had to do the setup by ourselves, which was not a problem.
One thing that shows that things are building back, is the road system. Trying to get around Waveland is a challenge. There is a major reconstruction of the water and sewer system going on. So early in the morning, one street may be closed, and later in the morning, it's open, and another street is closed. But the project is coming to an end, and the streets are beginning to be paved, slowly but surely.
Today we were asked to go to Ms. Charlotte's house, and put up one sheet of dry wall. Tom and I got the dry wall cut, and attached to the wall in the morning, then in the afternoon, Jim came over from Ms. Julie's house, and did the "mudding" of the wall. Tomorrow, we'll sand that down, and add another coat, to finish that part of the project. Jim also patched two holes in the kitchen that were supposed to be for electic outlets, but were not used. While they were doing that, I finished up some of the baseboard and trim in the kitchen. At the end of the day, we hauled out all of the materials and tools that belong to the recovery system, so that we can pronounce this house finished, by the end of the week. This is a house that in February, when we were down here, we did the installation of the insulation in the ceiling.
At Ms. Julie's house, the other part of the crew got the hot water system plumbed, and tomorrow they will glue that part so that it can be tested for leaks. Hope that this can be done on Friday, so that we can work out any bugs in that system, and leave the house ready for it's rough inspection, so that power can be applied to the house, making it much easier to work on the house. Right now, we have to use battery powered tools, and it's a constant battle to keep batteries charged.
Tonight we are all licking our wounds, and feeling the effects of crawling under houses, and lifting some dry wall. We are sleeping very soundly. Jim and Tom are at the "factory" and it is just across the street from the CSX mainline, and they report that they don't hear any of the trains.
Rain has been forecast for the last couple of days, and finally we did get some rain. It was one of those Colorado nine inch rains, two drops nine inches apart. They really need the rain here. Burn bans are in effect, and with all of the dead trees around, a forest fire would be a real disaster. Like they need another disaster!!
We hope that all is going well with you and yours.
Ray, Jim, and Tom
It is with mixed emotions that we leave Waveland. On the one hand there is so much work to be done, and wonderful, appreciative folks here. But, we are anxious to be back with our families and friends in Colorado.
Yesterday, we worked on Joe and Joyce's house in Bay St. Louis. Did a lot of finishing up. Put up trim pieces around many doors, got baseboards put down also. Now on Monday, the power company will show up, and hook them back onto the power grid, so that they can have water, since their house needs a well for domestic water.
That means that probably they, and Charlotte should be in their house for Thanksgiving. That was one of my personal goals while down here, to get some folks into their house for the holidays.
Fr. Cuddy showed us the plans for the new church here at St. Clare. Looks like it will be a nice facility for the parish. Fr. said that construction could start in January, so maybe we'll see some progress in Feb.
Last night we had a wowser of a wind storm. The vent in the bathroom was open, and the wind unhooked it from the operating lever. So will be climbing up on top, to rehook it. (I hope)
Have a good week-end.
Ray, Jim and Tom
MEMA Cottage floats in 10 ft. of water off Coleman Ave.
Photo from Sea Coast Echo - Story by Dwayne Bremer
Update on Hurricane Ike 09/13/2008
More water, more damage, more need for Volunteers!!
Finally, the storm has passed, and as of the last report, thankfully, there are no others on the radar.
Ike did not take lives, and we were blessed. But there is a lot of work to be done. With the MEMA cottages that were caught in the storms and took on water being removed, many are left homeless. We need to get more houses finished! The damage was nothing like Katrina, but the people and the homes that were not completed were very fragile. Please search your hearts, and if you have skills to help rebuild, contact us as soon as you can. Thank you all for your prayers and for all you have done, but we need you again!
Update on Hurricane Gustav 09/02/2008
Hi everyone, and thanks so much for all of the prayers being sent to Waveland/Bay St. Louis during the past few tense and trying days - even more trying so close to the third anniversary of Katrina. I wish I had more accurate information to report, but as of right now, we are still trying to assess the damage.
I have been in contact with Brent, who is in Waveland now, and he reported this to me this afternoon: First, we have no reports of injuries. Most everyone did evacuate. St. Clare Church withstood the storm! The Office trailer is a bit tilted but okay, and that wonderful tent we have grown so used to has held up. We do, however, have reports of MEMA Cottages floating in the waters.
Brian and Jan's house appears fine, although there was apparently about 6 ft. of water under the house. There was still debris floating there, so Brent could not get too close, but it appeared that the house was okay. Brian and Jan evacuated and are safe - I talked to them today. Betty K.' s house, as well as her sister's across the street appear fine. There is an electrical line down on the property of her sister, Loraine's. Both evacuated and are fine - also talked with Ms. Betty today. Noel & Betsy's looks good, but Brent could not get too close due to several trees down across the street which were on the power lines - they also evacuated and are fine.
Could be that Tony Dixon's house has taken on water - it is elevated, but the water in that area was quite high. There was about 9 ft. of water covering Hwy 603. This is known as the Jordan river area, and the water comes in from the backside. Tony and his family also evcuated and are okay. They were trying to head back in this afternoon. Update from Tony 9:30 AM Wed. Sept. 3: Tony and family made it home last night - his house is okay - much water, but not in house, no power. He will update us as he can get out and about. He says to hold tight until power is up and assessments made - we will need Volunteers!
Once Tony is on the ground and has assessed his damage, I will give you all a more up to date report, especiall on the other homes that you all have worked on. It certainly could have been a lot worse, but for those who had just gotten back into their homes, starting over will be devastating. There will be much work to be done.
Please continue to pray for all on the Coast as we also keep our eyes on Tropical Storm Ike and Tropical Storm Josephine, both of which appear to be following Gustav's path. Don't forget to say a prayer for the East Coast that will soon be dealing with Hanna.
Thanks, and I will keep you all posted.
God Bless,
Jane
Three Years after Katrina the need for Volunteers and donations goes on………
Taken in June, 2008
June, 2008
June, 2008
 
One house in January 2008 Another in March 2008
 
June 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008 marks the third anniversary of when Hurricane Katrina hit the
Gulf
Coast , and while much progress has been made, there is still so much to be done. There are thousands still in temporary housing. While the numbers of the displaced look like a great reduction since the last posted numbers, they do not take into account the families who have now moved in to MEMA cottages. A nice step up, for some from a FEMA trailer, but we have to realize that the MEMA cottages too, are temporary. Eighteen months from the time they are set on a property, March, 2009, they must be returned. This means that the families who have received them have just 7 months to rebuild their homes. 
A MEMA Cottage sits where a home used to be, June, 2008
St. Clare Recovery is once again asking for your help. Here are the major obstacles that we are facing……
1. Skilled Volunteers – Throughout the winter months, we have been blessed with
many who have returned time and again, and we are truly grateful….but we are fast approaching Summer, which means that those who have construction skills will be returning to their own work up North. This is when we need to appeal to the many of you who are retired from construction type work or those handy men and women who have some experience in home remodeling projects. Please, prayerfully consider your time, treasure and talents. If you have been to Waveland/Bay St. Louis, please come back-we are not yet finished! If you have not, please consider a working vacation…it might just be the most rewarding one you have ever experienced!
2. Building Materials – Even though many have finally received insurance or grant monies to help rebuild, quite often the dollars just do not stretch far enough. Not only can the residents not afford to hire the work done (which is where you, as Volunteers, make the difference), but often there is not enough money to purchase materials to finish the home. And, of course, those who did not receive insurance or grant money, for whatever reason, need plenty of help. While there have been some small grants from sources such as Salvation Army and Red Cross, these grants are becoming harder and harder to get. Bogged down in paperwork, it is a lengthy process and again, many do not qualify. Meanwhile a house sits half finished….the hope that was restored when Volunteers arrived to start work on a home is quickly dashed while the family sits in the FEMA trailer or MEMA cottage looking at a half finished dream.
January, 2008
January, 2008
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP
A. Gift Cards – Purchasing gift cards for Lowe’s, Home Depot or even Wal-Mart.
Send these cards to:
St. Clare Recovery
518 Jeff Davis
Waveland, MS
39576
St. Clare Recovery will use these cards on an “as needed” basis to purchase building materials for the homes that the Volunteers are working on. Lowe’s has the best selection of building materials, so that would be the preference, but Home Depot does carry a selection of plumbing and electrical supplies. Wal-Mart cards are used to purchase small items for the home when move –in time comes, such as towels, bedding, etc.
B. Cash Donations – Donations can be made online through this web site using the “donations” button, which will take you to Pay Pal. This is a secure site and the money is automatically transferred in to the St. Clare Recovery account.
Or you may mail your donation to:
St. Clare Recovery
518 Jeff Davis
Waveland, MS
39576
C. Materials – Many of you work at businesses who would be glad to donate building materials – perhaps a load of Sheet Rock, or a box of plumbing or electrical materials, plywood, roofing materials, 2x4s, caulk, sheet rock screws, nails, insulation, paint…the list goes on and on, but there may be something, large or small amounts, that your company would be happy to donate. St. Clare Recovery is a 501(c) 3, not-for-profit organization, which makes the donation a tax deduction for the donor. If you think that your company might be able to help us, please give call so that arrangements can be made to receive the materials. We do have access to storage for both large and small amounts.
Call or E-mail:
Jane Crady
317-642-7322
jacc1@tds.net (that is a #1 in the address)
Again, thank you for all you have already done, and please prayerfully consider your time, treasure and talents. The people of Waveland/Bay St Louis need your help! God Bless.
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