Friday, July 11, 2008

Wherever we go. . .

Caitlin and Lindsey with Liz McCartney, co-founder of St. Bernard Project
Caitlin interviews Zack Rosenburg, co-founder of St. Bernard Project

Coming soon: Blogs on the staff and volunteers of St. Bernard Project

We were in the Houston airport late last night, proudly wearing our St. Bernard Project t-shirts. An airline employee left his post and boarded our plane to let us know St. Bernard Project rebuilt his aunt's home. He wanted us to know how thankful he was that his aunt received assistance. "Good work!," he said. We were astounded to be in Houston and receive acknowledgement of St. Bernard Project's efforts similar to those we received throughout their local community of St. Bernard Parish.

Obviously, the credit for the "good work" goes to the staff and volunteers of St. Bernard Project who helped the good people of St. Bernard Parish when they had exhausted all efforts to help themselves.

St. Bernard Project is a small, grass-roots organization created by two individuals (Zack Rosenburg and Liz McCartney) to rebuild homes for St. Bernard Parish families devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

They use volunteer labor and donated funds to rebuild a home for approximately $12,000-$15,000. They also provide housing assistance to senior citizens. True to form, they are expanding their organization to meet the needs of the residents by opening a mental health clinic by the end of 2008.

Basically, St. Bernard Project needs two types of help to continue their amazing efforts to help the residents of St. Bernard Parish:
1. Funds (donations are tax-deductible)
2. Volunteers

The needs are pressing. Approximately one-half of the 65,000 residents of the county have returned to the community they call home, but the task of rebuilding with limited funds is daunting. Many are faced with eviction from their FEMA trailers. With funding and volunteers, St. Bernard Project can help the courageous people of St. Bernard Parish.

If you'd like to be part of one of our upcoming volunteer work groups going to St. Bernard Parish to help in the rebuilding effort, contact Cindy at helpstbernardproject@gmail.com . If you'd like additional information about St. Bernard Project, visit their website at http://www.stbernardproject.org/.

To make a donation, see the website for St. Bernard Project's address or contact Cindy for upcoming fundraising/community outreach events in the Olympia area.

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