Update from Pearlington Project Coordinator, Tom Dalessandri
Pearlington Update, December 5, 2006
Happy Holidays!
I hope your Thanksgiving was enjoyable to all. The Pearlington Project continues with some new vision and direction, as well as some new cries for help.
Jon White has been in Pearlington for the past couple of weeks and continues to coordinate the Coalition of Disaster Relief Agencies "CODRA" in Pearlington, including greeting new volunteer members and groups to the cause.
Laurie Spaschak (of Pearlington Recovery Center) is asking for a renewed interest by volunteers. As we all have experienced, volunteers have dropped considerably over recent months. Now that materials are becoming more readily available, we are lacking the physical support to carry on.
Due to a family loss, I was unable to go to Pearlington after Thanksgiving, but I am coordinating a trip right after Christmas (around Dec. 28th). We are in need of an electrician and a plumber, as well as carpenters and regular labor crews. Like many volunteer groups, we are falling behind a bit on several homes, and this trip will give us a chance to get caught up. Each week that passes without progress means our adopted families remain without homes.
The Salvation Army has contacted me regarding Linda Edwards' Adopt an Angel Program for Christmas. They offered to help families this holiday season.
We will be bringing our FEMA trailer to Pearlington on this next trip and donating it to one of the volunteer coordinators who recently lost their housing arrangements. We will also be bringing down another full kitchen cabinet set (donated) and the church organ for Pastor Fields' church.
Now is the time for giving. Please check out our website: www.pearlingtonproject.com where you may donate to the project via a monthly credit card pledge. Also, we ask that you share this information with family and friends this holiday season. Every little bit helps.
Finally, I need your help in speaking to your clubs, churches, and organizations to encourage members to sponsor a trip. We currently have trips planned in dec/jan, march and april. Dates are not set at this time, but we will be firming up plans soon.
HELP US CONTINUE THIS IMPORTANT MISSION.
Merry Christmas to all. Tom D
