Update from Pearlington Project Coordinator, Tom Dalessandri
Pearlington Update, New Year's Day
It was a very busy day. We were able to get about 15 volunteers from Santa Cruz, CA and they were divided up over four different homes and various projects. They did great work and we are making more progress than we thought we could....We've also made more contacts for help and we've picked up more families in need.
I've attached a more detailed report..sorry for the delay-I'm sitting in a truck stop in Slidell, the only place I can get internet service on my wireless. Happy New Year's-Tom
Pearlington Update - December 27, 2006
It's almost 4pm on Friday as Hilary and I are motoring down Highway 87 toward Amarillo. We left last night to get ahead of the latest snowstorm. As we move along the Texas highway, our week ahead is taking shape.
I just got off the phone with Sam Bailey whom we will visit with intentions that Hilary will learn more about Sam's animal rescue operation and how we may be able to help him. In addition, we will size up his recovery needs and get him on the project list. Sam has been so busy with the animals that he has had little time for his own recovery. Much needs to be done to help remove debris and begin the reconstruction process. You may recall that the Carbondale Fire team removed numerous trees from his property last fall.
I also talked with Holly Dawsey . The Dawsey's have still not gotten their electrical work completed and so I will work with them to hire an electrician to complete that part of the work making way for the sheetrock and plumbing. Volunteer electricians are just not available and so it has become apparent that we must pay for some of this work in order to move along the projects.
I spoke with Debbie Sonnier . Hilary, I and a few other volunteers that we hope to commandeer will put in some blanket insulation and finish some sheetrock work. We also hope to install her last remaining countertop section that has been delayed by Lowe's for several months.
Our most important priority continues to be Sandra Merle's. I had hoped we would be farther along with Sandra's place. While most the demolition is done thanks to many who have helped over recent months, reconstruction has been slow. I'll be working on a framing crew to help get the structure back up before we begin enclosing the exterior.
We are bringing down another set of donated kitchen cabinets along with the FEMA trailer donated by Bill Westbrook of the Carbondale USFS. The trailer will be provided to Glen Locklin to support his housing needs as he works on the "One House at a Time" project. The cabinets are a full set and will be given to whoever may need them.
Hilary is driving the truck right now, pulling the thirty foot travel trailer. It's her first time behind the wheel of a "big rig" so pray for us….just kidding.
We will be submitting several grants to the Salvation Army on behalf of families and we will be laying out the trip for the CRMS group coming down in March.
On Jan. 5th ,just before we leave, I will take a friend of Linda Edwards, from Pickin up the Pieces for a tour of Pearlington in hopes that he may help in the recovery effort with his resources.
We will be taking a lot of pictures this trip in preparation for our Redstone presentation on Jan. 7th at 7pm at the Church at Redstone. We encourage all who can to attend the presentation and show your support for the mission.
As always, money and volunteers are needed as much now as ever. We have several major trips scheduled between now and May. If you'd like to come down or you can help with the expenses please check out the website at www.pearlingtonproject.com. There is a donation window for direct contributions to the fund and all relevant updates will be posted about future trips.
Closer to home, I submitted our mid-term report to AmeriCares. We will be using the remainder of our grant funds this next month or so to purchase materials and contract labor and look forward to additional support for future projects. I spoke with Trish Tweedly at length over the phone and will be forwarding her an update of our latest expenditures upon my return.
I spoke with Chip Munday last week about Carbondale Rotary support. Chip referred me to Richard Fuller at Alpine Bank. We should be expecting some additional financial support from the Rotary as some funds were set aside to continue the project. Richard will be speaking with Kris Marsh to arrange transfer of funds.
Thanks to all for your help and continued interest in this important effort we have all chosen to undertake. Happy New Year's- Tom
p.s. look for Hilary's thoughts and impressions as they will be posted on the website.
Pearlington Update-Dec. 30th
We arrived safely as we were chased by the storm all the way here. Now, the storm is upon us here in Pearlington.
Today we bought Tony Dixon a well pump and tank for his property so that he can hook up his well.
We met with Linda Edwards at the Watson home. While there, we met with Alice ___ who will be bringing down a crew of college students in March. It happens to coincide with the CRMS trip so we should have quite a large group in town. With some carpenters and other skilled supervisors we should be able to get a lot done on Sandra's.
We then went to the Dawsey's and reviewed their electrical needs. We met with their electrician whom we will pay to finish their electrical installation. Once the electrical is complete, the Dawsey's can proceed with plumbing and sheetrock.
We visited Debbie Sonnier and made our list of finishing work. Hilary will be doing some drywall work, I will seal her rain gutters and we will insulate the floor in the carport.
I visited briefly with Sandra. We are on hold until we are able to get some building crews together.
The weather today includes rain and tornado warning. Another day of rain and we should be able to power wash and bleach Sandra's house in preparation for reframing.
Special thanks to Ron, Gene and Carl for helping to get us here safely with the use of the GMC pick up and the trailer plates. Also, a special thanks to Ben and Sue Taylor for putting us up while here.
Things are once again falling into place with more support from our fellow volunteer groups.
I'll keep you posted. Tom
