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Post by Scarlet on Oct 26, 2005 18:58:33 GMT -5
Carri, Lonnie is probably going to have to answer that one for you. I can make a few calls and find out. I do know the Red Cross and I think others are camped in tents at The Methodist Church at Highway 90 and 57 here in Ocean Springs. First Baptist in Biloxi has a tent city and some inside the church as well from what I understand. I do know some of the Churches have opened thier doors to volunteers but I am not sure which ones they are. Are you with a special organization or a group of volunteers coming on your own? Either way we are so very grateful for all help at this time. I know Ocean Springs can find a place for you to camp. It is getting in the low 40's here so bring some blankets and warm clothes for nights. Will find out what I can for you.
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Post by OceanSprings-MS on Oct 27, 2005 10:27:37 GMT -5
Carri, Is your group thinking of a spot that has a Tent City already? If so I'll stop by there and ask what they are planning to do. If not I can ask the group at St. Paul's which Scarlet mentioned.
And she's right bring something warm for the nights!
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Post by Scarlet on Oct 27, 2005 10:54:29 GMT -5
Thanks Lonnie, with me being in this blasted wheelchair and not driving right now keeps me from going to the sites to check them out I try never to let this thing slow me down and keep me from being active but the past few weeks have slowed me way to much.... Got to get back with it as I am feeling really helpless right now with so much to be done.
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Post by Carri on Oct 28, 2005 11:39:54 GMT -5
Wow, you two are so kind. I really hope I run into you during my trip so I can thank you for all your help!
I'm not sure where we plan on staying. I need to do some investigation into that. However, I would not expect you to go to any trouble of travelling to the sites. That's asking too much! I think I plan on bringing a tent anyway. I mean, how much room can it take up, right? And it's better to be safe than sorry.
Thank you SO much! I'm really looking forward to this experience. It is the first of this kind for me. I'm hoping I can become more involved in these kinds of things more often now.
Thanks again. Carri
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Post by Scarlet on Oct 29, 2005 18:47:17 GMT -5
Carri,
Sorry I have not had a chance to do the follow up calls I promised you I was going to do as I had an emergency with my mom. Will do it first thing Monday. Should have things back to normal by then. If you wish to e-mail me direct you can do so at friare@bellsouth.net.
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Post by JOY F on Oct 30, 2005 18:17:11 GMT -5
My name is Joy, I am coming as a volunteer RN and will be working at Christus Victor, I hear Red Cross has left. Does anyone know what the accomodations are for the volunteers, do all volunteers coming to the area stay in this tent city? Are meals provided or should I plan to fend for myself?
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Post by Scarlet on Oct 30, 2005 19:13:16 GMT -5
Joy,
I will call Christus Victor for you tomorrow when I make some calls for Carri. The Red Cross has not left Ocean Springs to my knowledge as they were in my neighborhood with their truck today my husband said. Maybe they moved to the 57 and 90 site with the other Red Cross Workers. Several Churches are still serving meals along with Red Cross. I am sure there has to be a co-ordinator here someplace maybe Lonnie can get them to come on this site and post some notes for those coming because we sure appreciate the help all of you are giving and want to help you all we can.
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Post by Scarlet on Oct 31, 2005 11:28:00 GMT -5
Joy,
I called Christus Victor Church and they asked that you call them at 228-875-2446 that they do have a co-ordinator there (AMY BEARSON) for Volunteers that are coming to the Ocean Springs Area. Most are bringing tents but they are trying to find homes when they can to place people in but most of those are full at this time. They are going to have her to call me and I will see if she has Internet access that she can come here to answer questions. Again thank you so much for coming to help.
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Post by Scarlet on Oct 31, 2005 11:29:09 GMT -5
Carri, please read my note to Joy as they said they would help your group also if you call them.
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Post by Scarlet on Oct 31, 2005 16:33:03 GMT -5
OK this is for the volunteers: All Medical Volunteers can call Donna Howell at 228-860-2197 or e-mail her at clhjchseh@yahoo.com. Other Volunteers than Medical can contact Amy Bearson at 228-875-2446 or e-mail Donna and she will also help to get you directed to where you need to go.
Again thank all of you for your caring about us.
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Post by OceanSprings-MS on Nov 1, 2005 10:05:00 GMT -5
Thanks Scarlet That's very useful information!
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Post by Carri on Nov 1, 2005 10:15:45 GMT -5
Thank you so much Scarlet. You've been such a great source of info!
Carri
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Post by wmlambert on Nov 2, 2005 17:50:57 GMT -5
Hi! We are a volunteer group from Oklahoma coming in the week before Thanksgiving and staying at the United Methodist Church. These posts have been quite informative for me and I really appreciate this message board. I did have a few questions if someone has time to address them. Is there a place open where we can wash our clothes? I was having trouble finding out if there were any laundromats available. We would like to see some of the area, but one of the websites said that the local beaches have all been closed since the hurricane. Is this still the case? If there are some places open, where would you recommend that I take a group for a devotional time around sunset? Are there any local restaurants/coffee shops that are open? We would like to support local businesses but I am really in the dark as to what is open in your area. What are some items that are still needed that we might be able to bring with us? Finally, we are picking up a team member at the airport in Biloxi on Friday evening. Is there any special/different route I will need to take? Thanks so much, Wendy
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Post by Vicki on Nov 3, 2005 0:34:49 GMT -5
Carrie:
We have been sending work teams from Minnesota to Ocean Springs for nearly two months now, and I just returned from there. You are lucky to be going!
With so many businesses back open, much of the city feels like normal, until you get into homes that have been flooded out. Then you realize how far from normal so many people's lives are in this beautiful town.
If you have time, check out the little shops in the downtown section (Washington and Government Streets) and take Washington toward the ocean to Porter. Go right on Porter less than a mile to where the bridge used to go to Biloxi. Viewing the ruin that was Highway 90 will help you visualize the destruction of Katrina. It's awe-inspiring even for those of us who never saw it intact!
About housing: If you are staying at the Methodist church camp (CORE) you will be in a tent city; if at Christus Victor, most of their tents were through FEMA and I heard they were losing them, but they do have a few others and are also putting people up in homes. Contact your host organization to ask about sleeping accommodations if you have questions. We've been staying at a smaller facility, First Baptist, right downtown (indoor accommodations) and they're great people. I've heard the tent cities are really great fun.
If you're "tenting, it's been cool at night (40s), so be ready for it! While the tents are "heated," it's not like sleeping indoors.
Critters aren't a problem, unless you're terribly afraid of roaches and an occasional gecko. Bring heavy work gloves and work boots, lots of white cotton socks, and cheap, cheap, cheap blue jeans or other heavier pants. Don't work without safety equipment -- especially respirator masks! They should have some there, but if you have a line into a 3M product distributor, bring your own to be sure.
There is a great thrift store in town if you need to pick upsomething while you're there. WalMart IS a zoo; try to avoid it if you can!
The people of Ocean Springs are absolutely lovely and so grateful for the help. Working side by side with them in helping get their homes and community ready for rebuilding has been an honor for us. There are about 50 people from our community who have been there and most of us are signed up for another trip in the future.
You'll be SO blessed and so changed by the experience!
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Post by Vicki on Nov 3, 2005 0:39:36 GMT -5
Hi! We are a volunteer group from Oklahoma coming in the week before Thanksgiving and staying at the United Methodist Church. These posts have been quite informative for me and I really appreciate this message board. I did have a few questions if someone has time to address them. Is there a place open where we can wash our clothes? I was having trouble finding out if there were any laundromats available. We would like to see some of the area, but one of the websites said that the local beaches have all been closed since the hurricane. Is this still the case? If there are some places open, where would you recommend that I take a group for a devotional time around sunset? Are there any local restaurants/coffee shops that are open? We would like to support local businesses but I am really in the dark as to what is open in your area. What are some items that are still needed that we might be able to bring with us? Finally, we are picking up a team member at the airport in Biloxi on Friday evening. Is there any special/different route I will need to take? Thanks so much, Wendy
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