Updates from Project Coordinator Tom Dalessandri
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Friday, October 27, 2006 Pearlington Update
Greetings to all from Pearlington:
It's raining here today (friday) but nothing like what I'm hearing from up north. Thanks to Eileen and Linda Edwards (pickinupthepieces) Sandra's house was stripped to the studs which really speeded up progress on her place. I'm here this week with Howard Bixlor, a local carpenter from Carbondale.
We grabbed a few kids from the volunteer pool (church group from Virginia) and tore down the wall left standing after the tree hit Sandra's house. We also pulled up flooring and assessed the damaged floor joices. We hope to fix the floor this week and reset the footers.
Since its raining today, Howard is working inside Debbie Sonnier's finishing some trim and we will be installing her countertop today (it finally came in). I'm also cutting up the giant pine from her yard (thanks to Ron Leach letting us use a chain saw) and we will be moving that debris off the neighbor's property.
There is quite a lot of construction going on now, my guess is that 30% or so of Pearlington homes have been or are being rebuilt. Volunteer numbers are low but groups are seen working about town.
One house at a time (the habitat sponsored group) is having financial difficulties and they are not sure how much longer they will be able to operate. They are currently trying to finish nine homes.
The Pearlmart is still up and running with a pretty good stock of items. Check Laurie's needs list for things they need. Volunteers are cooking in the food tent for volunteer groups more often than before and the huts seem to be doing well (saw someone patching a roof today).
We visited with Jon and Nan Givens. They are in their house and looks very nice. We offered to help Jon with his porch but he wanted us to go help others. Very proud...
I met with Liza Cowen from AmeriCares and Sarah Pinsky from Kaboom on Wed. Sarah is in town working on a playground project at the Kiln school for the Pearlington and Gulfview kids. Howard and I will be helping with that project tomorrow.
Plans for this trip:
Work on Sandra's, get floor fixed and foundation set
Finishing work on Debbie Sonnier's
Work on Lena Maculis-carpentry, set her bathtubs and build some knee walls
Visit with the Dawsey's and Linda Shaw, assess their needs.
Work on the school playground
Work on prepping the ambulance
Meet with Salvation Army
Thats it for now. I'll send another later this weekend if the internet is working.
Hopefully I'll have some pictures as well. Thanks to all for your support. Tom
Greetings to all from Pearlington:
It's raining here today (friday) but nothing like what I'm hearing from up north. Thanks to Eileen and Linda Edwards (pickinupthepieces) Sandra's house was stripped to the studs which really speeded up progress on her place. I'm here this week with Howard Bixlor, a local carpenter from Carbondale.
We grabbed a few kids from the volunteer pool (church group from Virginia) and tore down the wall left standing after the tree hit Sandra's house. We also pulled up flooring and assessed the damaged floor joices. We hope to fix the floor this week and reset the footers.
Since its raining today, Howard is working inside Debbie Sonnier's finishing some trim and we will be installing her countertop today (it finally came in). I'm also cutting up the giant pine from her yard (thanks to Ron Leach letting us use a chain saw) and we will be moving that debris off the neighbor's property.
There is quite a lot of construction going on now, my guess is that 30% or so of Pearlington homes have been or are being rebuilt. Volunteer numbers are low but groups are seen working about town.
One house at a time (the habitat sponsored group) is having financial difficulties and they are not sure how much longer they will be able to operate. They are currently trying to finish nine homes.
The Pearlmart is still up and running with a pretty good stock of items. Check Laurie's needs list for things they need. Volunteers are cooking in the food tent for volunteer groups more often than before and the huts seem to be doing well (saw someone patching a roof today).
We visited with Jon and Nan Givens. They are in their house and looks very nice. We offered to help Jon with his porch but he wanted us to go help others. Very proud...
I met with Liza Cowen from AmeriCares and Sarah Pinsky from Kaboom on Wed. Sarah is in town working on a playground project at the Kiln school for the Pearlington and Gulfview kids. Howard and I will be helping with that project tomorrow.
Plans for this trip:
Work on Sandra's, get floor fixed and foundation set
Finishing work on Debbie Sonnier's
Work on Lena Maculis-carpentry, set her bathtubs and build some knee walls
Visit with the Dawsey's and Linda Shaw, assess their needs.
Work on the school playground
Work on prepping the ambulance
Meet with Salvation Army
Thats it for now. I'll send another later this weekend if the internet is working.
Hopefully I'll have some pictures as well. Thanks to all for your support. Tom
October 11, 2006 Update
