Updates from Project Coordinator Tom Dalessandri
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Pearlington Update October 11, 2006
Hello everyone, here's the latest happenings from our project:
Oct. 5th, the Pearlington Project Board met. It was a good meeting with much discussion on fundraising and continuing our effort.
Last week, Linda Edwards from Pickin' Up the Pieces was in Pearlington. She sent a crew over to Sandra Merle's place to continue the cleaning process and removing stored items in preparation for new construction. She will be sending a crew over this week to continue the same. A special thanks to Linda and her group. The work they are doing is moving us along in the effort to enclose Sandra's house before Christmas.
I spoke with Matt Switzer from the Messiah Lutheran Church. They are donating an organ to a church in Pearlington. We will be arranging pick up and delivery before our next trip on Oct. 20th. Mary Holly from Carbondale donated another washer/dryer combo and those items are going down also. I have had several requests for washers and dryers.
Howard Bixlor, a local builder/carpenter, is working on getting others in his field interested in coming down to do work in Pearlington. Howard is a great guy and has some really good ideas about helping in Pearlington. This past Sunday afternoon, Howard came over to my place and we worked on the old USFS trailer. Howard repaired the water damaged bathroom and we will be working on a door this week as we convert it into a medical clinic on wheels.
I spoke with Americares today and they have offered for us to apply for an additional grant. I will be working on that request before the Oct. 27th deadline. Thanks to Americares for joining us in our effort to help Pearlington. Along those lines, Debbie Sonnier's countertops should now be in... They were paid for by the Americares money and put her a little closer to completion.
I received a desperate plea from the Dawsey family, so when I go down next week I will meet with them to see what their needs are and to add them to our adopted family list.
Lauren Taylor from Redstone has completed the website, and she, Ron Leach, Vern Holmes and myself met this past Sunday morning to review the site and explore some additions to fundraising including a connection to the Aspen Valley Medical Foundation for credit card donations and monthly contributions.
Andy Schwaller donated his 1984 Chev pick up and it is now over at the fire house where Kevin Green will go through it to make sure its good to go to Pearlington. Andy has previously donated the travel trailer that we have been using as our base camp since summer. Thanks Andy....
Kris Marsh suggested that we look at a holiday fundraising effort including contacting previous donors. While we have money available through Americares for supplies and materials we are always just getting by on operating capital. Hilary is going to have her staff review the Bush/Clinton application again and get it out so we can see what happens there.
Aspen High School is planning a school trip to Pearlington in April and so I will begin working with them on putting together those plans.
My next trip is Oct 20th and I hope to team up with Tim Goodnow's team from the Dog Soldiers to continue our work on Sandra's.
Things are alive and well with the project and we our proud of the work we have gotten done and continue to get done. Thanks for your continued support. Tom
Oct. 5th, the Pearlington Project Board met. It was a good meeting with much discussion on fundraising and continuing our effort.
Last week, Linda Edwards from Pickin' Up the Pieces was in Pearlington. She sent a crew over to Sandra Merle's place to continue the cleaning process and removing stored items in preparation for new construction. She will be sending a crew over this week to continue the same. A special thanks to Linda and her group. The work they are doing is moving us along in the effort to enclose Sandra's house before Christmas.
I spoke with Matt Switzer from the Messiah Lutheran Church. They are donating an organ to a church in Pearlington. We will be arranging pick up and delivery before our next trip on Oct. 20th. Mary Holly from Carbondale donated another washer/dryer combo and those items are going down also. I have had several requests for washers and dryers.
Howard Bixlor, a local builder/carpenter, is working on getting others in his field interested in coming down to do work in Pearlington. Howard is a great guy and has some really good ideas about helping in Pearlington. This past Sunday afternoon, Howard came over to my place and we worked on the old USFS trailer. Howard repaired the water damaged bathroom and we will be working on a door this week as we convert it into a medical clinic on wheels.
I spoke with Americares today and they have offered for us to apply for an additional grant. I will be working on that request before the Oct. 27th deadline. Thanks to Americares for joining us in our effort to help Pearlington. Along those lines, Debbie Sonnier's countertops should now be in... They were paid for by the Americares money and put her a little closer to completion.
I received a desperate plea from the Dawsey family, so when I go down next week I will meet with them to see what their needs are and to add them to our adopted family list.
Lauren Taylor from Redstone has completed the website, and she, Ron Leach, Vern Holmes and myself met this past Sunday morning to review the site and explore some additions to fundraising including a connection to the Aspen Valley Medical Foundation for credit card donations and monthly contributions.
Andy Schwaller donated his 1984 Chev pick up and it is now over at the fire house where Kevin Green will go through it to make sure its good to go to Pearlington. Andy has previously donated the travel trailer that we have been using as our base camp since summer. Thanks Andy....
Kris Marsh suggested that we look at a holiday fundraising effort including contacting previous donors. While we have money available through Americares for supplies and materials we are always just getting by on operating capital. Hilary is going to have her staff review the Bush/Clinton application again and get it out so we can see what happens there.
Aspen High School is planning a school trip to Pearlington in April and so I will begin working with them on putting together those plans.
My next trip is Oct 20th and I hope to team up with Tim Goodnow's team from the Dog Soldiers to continue our work on Sandra's.
Things are alive and well with the project and we our proud of the work we have gotten done and continue to get done. Thanks for your continued support. Tom
