Update from Pearlington Project Coordinator, Tom Dalessandri
Pearlington Update, January 15, 2007
Happy Post Holidays,
Hope all of you are adjusting to the new year. Here is the latest from Pearlington.
Hilary and I made it back (finally) after getting stuck in Trinidad, CO due to a road closure on I 25. Ground blizzards made driving tough from New Mexico to home but we made it. (Thanks to Hilary's skillfull driving)
Since we've been back, things have really been picking up speed.
-I've been in regular contact with the Dawsey's and they have finished the porch except for the shingles. Thanks to Tim Goodnow for dropping by and helping after we left. We are still working on an electrician and plumber so we can move forward with sheetrock. We very much need an electrician and plumber to go to Pearlington NOW, I could keep them busy for a week if we had one available. If we must, we will pay for the transportation and a reasonable salary. These trades are needed and holding up several projects at present.
-We confirmed housing for CRMS on March 10-17th for 41 in the huts. I also asked Laurie to reserve 24 spaces for April 15-21st for Aspen High.
-We've been asked to take on some additional families. Jon White (Canada Jon) contacted me shortly after our return. The Everett Cook Family, the Earl Family and Denise Swanson were all being sponsored by a group that can no longer fulfill the obligation. This is really more than we normally would take on given that we have four other families at present and have been asked to assist Linda Edwards with some of the "one house at a time" finishes. But these families have been waiting a long time with hope that for now at least has been dashed. So with a lot of coordination, communication and help I think we can pull this off.
-I'll be going back down in early Feb. to coordinate these new projects and line out the work on our current projects in anticipation of the CRMS group. Again, we need skilled help to accompany the CRMS team so we can really maximize the effort.
-I'm sad to say the Raymond Diaz died this past weekend. Hilary and I had just purchased and delivered a new bathtub to Ray and Cindy's. Tim Goodnow and the Dog Soldiers were also there finishing the rear roof. Raymond was very appreciative of everyones efforts and I will remember him from this trip as being in very good spirits.
-I will be following up with several foundations and funding sources this next few weeks. Camp Coastal, Samaritans' Purse, Salvation Army, Walls of Hope and several others will be needed if we are to fund all that we have on the table at this time.
-Kevin Green from Carbondale Fire is working on our old donated pick up truck. I'm hoping it will be ready by my next trip so we have a work wagon when our big crews arrive.
-Special thanks to Carb. Fire, Ron & Carl and the board for allowing us to use the GMC pick up to bring down the FEMA/USFS trailer. It worked great
-I did a presentation for the Redstone Community Association last Sunday night and it went well (except for the usually technical difficulties with computers and such). While the turn out wasn't large, those in attendence were very interested and supportive. Our hope is that Redstone will do another concert this summer to help us continue our efforts.
Thats it for now, I'll keep you posted as the weeks progress.
Thanks for all your support. Tom
