This letter is the first in a series of updates that we are sending you, our supporters, as part of our Hurricane Katrina Relief in the New Orleans area.

HOW THE PROJECT CAME ABOUT
About a month ago, all across America and the world, there was talk of little else but the storm that had hit New Orleans - Hurricane Katrina. The images that filled the news across the world portrayed unreal glimpses of destruction and devastation. It appeared that a keystone of this nation was obliquely laid to rest in the wave of this storm. Many opportunities arose to lend help to the area, and we wondered what we, as individuals, could do. An altruistic desire to help prompted us to make some very important decisions regarding our next move.

The magnitude of need down south greatly overshadowed any projects we had scheduled for the rest of the year. After our river cleanup in Sabula, Iowa, over Labor Day weekend, the crew had a meeting to discuss the feasibility of moving operations south and creating a new mission for the organization. It was unanimously decided that the team must regrettably abandon scheduled cleanups, teacher workshops, and tree plantings. All agreed that the skills our crew could offer would be quintessential in assisting the communities in their clean up efforts.

THE PLAN
After seeking approval from the Board, initial contacts were made and a plan was formulated to make the idea of coming to the gulf area realized. The most important issue facing the team was where to locate to be the most efficient. Another stipulation upon taking on such a large project was acquiring the peoples whose various skills would allow us to make the greatest impact. Along with a greater number of skilled laborers came the additional need of equipment and supplies.

We began to put our plan into action. Looking to recruit past crew members and volunteers, we contacted delegates for needed positions. Our crew size quickly doubled, and a well-rounded team was formed. Soliciting began with building suppliers in the Quad City area. Supplies to reconstruct entire homes were promptly given. Local papers were contacted and were published articles, in regard to our plans. Citizens in the area were swift to respond with monies for the overwhelming cost of bringing the project to pass.

THE ACTION
On September 24th, our 4 barges, loaded with 900 sheets of drywall, 200 sheets of plywood, 100 2x4s, over 20 pallets of shingles and tar paper, and two full-size semi containers stocked with insulation, drywall tape and compound, along with other supplies, hitched a ride on the hip of a commercial towboat and began its journey towards the delta.

Three days later, the LL&W crew departed in a convoy of five pickup trucks and one box truck. The assorted trucks pulled two skid steers and a camper. All were destined for Westwego, Louisiana. Westwego is an industrial community along the Mississippi River, just 10 miles from downtown New Orleans, with our planned base of operations being the grain elevator of one of our largest sponsors located there.

We arrived on the 29th of Septembe, after a somewhat grueling voyage through the heartland. On the road, as expected, there were a few mishap, which in retrospect seem rather funny. Along the way we lost a tire, saw various interesting truck stop characters, and heard many stories of others heading in the same direction as us.

THE PROJECTS
On the morning of September 30th we began our first of many projects—to install a water and septic system for a village of FEMA trailers that were to house displaced families. Retired plumber and past LL&W volunteer, Bill Pilger, led the team as 2,800 feet of water and sewage lines were dug out and laid. Alongside our team worked the local electric company. These lines are intended to equip thirty individual families with their essential needs until they are able to move back into their own home or find a new one.

Another swiftly executed project was to supply seven families with trailers. The trailers were delivered to the individual homesites. This individuals’ homesites close proximity allowed them to work on their homes while living in their own neighborhood.

From October 1st through the 5th, LL&W team members took on a variety of projects around the New Orleans metro area. For example, there are thousands of downed trees, often falling onto people’s homes, leaving holes in their roofs. This allowed the insistent rains to enter their homes and further damage their belongings. Obviously, this problem required immediate attention. A “tree crew” was formed straight away, headed by crew member Woodson Spring (who was formerly employed by a professional tree service). In his leadership, four residences were quickly relieved of fallen trees. Spring is anticipating a very large project beginning Friday on a yard containing six large trees, each being estimated at sixty feet tall (call it what you want, but he is very excited about this project-A few of us think it sounds terrifying).

Once the trees were removed from the homes, our construction crew came in to do further improvements. Mike Havlis, leader of the construction crew, had his team patch two of the home’s roofs and siding. In this cooperative measure of teams, we are rapidly able to recover people’s homes to a habitable state. It should be noted that before the construction crew is able to come in, some major steps need to be taken like removing debris, gutting out moldy drywall, insulation, and trim.

THE FUTURE
Our experiences thus far have been redolent of hope. The team has been excessively thanked, hugged, and called “angels from heaven” by some of the recipients of their efforts. The positive attitudes and eagerness of our crew seem to bring a glimmer of regained prosperity to those that once were dimmed. We optimistically hope to progress in this fashion.

THE REASON WE ARE ABLE TO DO THIS
It is because of you! It is because, through genuine care and unselfish humanity that our mission was able to come to fruition. Through our weekly newsletters we will keep you abreast of our progress. Thank you so much for making this all possible. You bring hope to these peoples lives - we are merely the deliverers.

See you next week!

From all of us at Living Lands & Waters,

THANK YOU!!!

All photos were taken by LL&W team member, Jenn Baechle.