My Trip To New Orleans: Help is still Needed

[MariaS]

This is a long post but please take the time to read it. So much is needed in NO and the large hearted people of DU can help I know they can.

Recently I and seven other individuals including two Lutheran Pastors from our area spent a week in New Orleans working for the Lutheran Disaster Response Organization. We spent our week mucking out a house that was set to be condemned if it was not cleaned up and stripped down to the studs. The amount of homes that were marked for demolition was totally overwhelming to me and so very heartbreaking.



The conditions in New Orleans were so much worse than I expected considering a year has passed since Katrina wreaked havoc on the Citizens of Louisiana. So many of the New Orleans residents have been left without their homes and the FEMA trailers still dominate the city. Many people there have no resources to get their homes back into condition to meet the city’s codes. Many dishonest contractors have flocked to the city and taken money for shoddy services or services not rendered and have left residents angry, saddened and without hope.



The Lutheran Disaster Response Organization offers it services on a voluntary basis to those who need them regardless of economic status and regardless whether or not a home will be demolished after it has been mucked out. It was with great pride that I spent the week working for such a fine organization with a wonderful and dedicated staff, a staff that dedicates not only their time but also their hearts. Atonement Lutheran Church is the main camp on the south side of Lake Pontchartrain. The camp houses up to 70 volunteers in housing trailers with A/C and heating. All volunteers are served breakfast and dinner at Atonement, but they are on their own for lunch. The camp also supplies all working supplies such as gloves, masks, water, sanitizer, protective jumpsuits and a variety of items needed by the volunteer workers.



Daily work orders are also issued from Atonement. The work at present primarily consists of mucking out and gutting homes, though there is an increasing amount of skilled work being done. The skilled jobs include applying drywall, floor tiling and roofing as well as licensed plumbing, electric and HVAC work. Camp Atonement is managed by Chuck who takes on a variety of jobs that include cooking, cleaning and inspecting houses to determine the safety for workers. His day starts at 4:30am and ends about 10:00pm. He is housed in a small trailer located inside the camp away from his family in Alabama. Chuck cares deeply about the people of New Orleans and is truly a humanitarian and an inspiration to us all.



After inquiring as to what kind of things the camp was in need of I asked for a list that I am now trying to fill. I am asking for your help in fulfilling some or all of this list. The camp is in desperate need of a variety of items and many of them are tools. I am making this appeal specifically for Camp Atonement because donations to the general LDR fund may not make their way to this specific camp. Below is a list of the needed items. After having seen the wonderful and selfless work being done there I am determined to do all I can and I hope that you will find it in your heart to consider my request. A donation of the listed items can be made directly to the Camp or via Gift cards such as Home Depot, Wal-mart, or Visa. The needs of the people of New Orleans are great and your help would be greatly appreciated. I know this is a bold request coming from a stranger but I want very much to help and to let the residence of New Orleans and especially the Ninth Ward know that the people have not forgotten them. I believe it is imperative that we as Americans remember our own in their time of need. Your help can make a difference and change lives. Thank you for your time and attention and if nothing comes of this request then I have at least tried and will continue to try to help

Check Out my You Tube presentation and consider donating to Camp Atonement. Information for giftcard donations is located at the end of this post and at the end of my you tube video.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5IY9PWl0NBM

Camp Atonement Wish List

Kitchen Items

8ft Plastic Tables
Hot Food Tables (Steam Tables) Six Station or individual stations.
Cold Food Tables 3 Station
Large Pots & Utensils and Cookie Pans Full
Toaster Ovens

Rebuilding Tools (Multiple Items Needed)

Table Saws & tables (Portable)
Miter Saws & tables
Circular Saws and Reciprocating Saws
Compressors and hoses
Cordless Drills
Sheet Rock Screw Guns
Assorted Small Tools (Squares Etc)
Electric Planers
Air Nailer (Finish and Framing)
Spike Gun
Roofing Coil Nailers
Sheet Rock Lifts
Sheet Metal Brake
Wood Clamps

Camp Atonement
6500 Riverside Dr
Metairie, LA 70003

[Ian David]

1. How about you take Wal-Mart and Home Depot off that list and use Lowes?

Otherwise, it sounds like you guys are doing some great work.

It's awful that you've been abandoned like this.

[IndyOp]

4. There is a Lowe's in Metairie - and I bet that the camp would be

grateful for Lowe's gift cards, too.

Lowe's
3640 Veterans Memorial Blvd
Metairie, LA 70002

:hi:

[yankeeinlouisiana]

6. There's also a Lowe's on

Elysian's Fields before I-10W. That one would be closer than Metairie.

[MariaS]

2. Walmart & Home Depot

were asked for by the camp manager. Believe me if it were my choice I wouldn't put Walmart on the list. But it's what they asked for. I don't think that politics plays a part in it for Camp Atonement.

[Ian David]

7. They contributed to the drowning of New Orleans through their political contributions

Why should you reward Wal-Mart and Home Depot by purchasing reconsrtuciton supplies from them?

"Thank you for drowing my city... can I buy that hammer from you?"

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. This is what BushCo's failed leadership has brought our country

An American city is gone.

The Twin Towers are gone.

Almost 3000 soldiers are gone.

At least 150,000 Iraqis are gone.

Heck of a job Georgie, heck of a job.

[Blue_In_AK]

5. I was shocked when we were in NOLA and the Gulf Coast

in October to see how little had been done to restore the area. My pictures are here.

http://www.northernvisions.smugmug.com/gallery/2030436