Salem Katrina Team Update October 31

What a blessing yesterday. It was exciting to be commissioned as representatives of our church in service to Mississippi. For some, its our first mission and we know it won't be the last. There was lots of good news as well, beginning with even more funds provided to support the mission. We have our minimum needs met and now the funds simply mean more help directly to the Gautier Presbytierian.

Rob's sermon was perfect and a well-timed reminder to not let any praise or thanks for work on this trip fall on our own shoulders, but on the Lord's. Karen's children's sermon was absolutely beautiful and know we know that daily we've got little angels praying for us as well. Karen's extra efforts doing the name tags we appreciated.

We now all have our I LOVE GAUTIER stickers and wore them during the commissioning. Checking with the folks down there, today was a "paint party" and somehow, with the help of volunteers from everywhere, they painted the entire church!

As for loading up the very last items for the trip, that was a challenge. We stuffed the UHaul, we stuffed the Dodge van and we certainly stuffed the motor home...here's the shower, jammed full of bears, first aid gear, propane stoves, blankets, cooking items and more.

And finally, pumpkins and ghosts tied to the bumper, we're off on our 2600 mile journey. To all our church family and dear friends from other churches, our thanks for your generosity and support in this effort.

Salem Katrina Response Team October 29 Update

We had so many brave folks out to load in the rain today! The crew gathered at church to attempt to load all the trip materials. A daunting task and we were certain it just couldn't be done.

But with Karen there to insist that everything would actually fit, we did manage to get teddy

bears, barrels, propane, table saws, beautiful quilts. Wow, Sandy [red hat]...they are really beautiful! Also water jugs, ladders, duffle bags, generator...the list goes on, and it actually all got into the trailer. And into the motor home. And into the Dodge van! Somehow, we're finished loading at last. We even packed bags and boxes into the motor home's shower! The largest single item was Karen's set of four 50 LB chili cans (okay...maybe only 5 LB each but they're still monsters!)

Budget: Karen reported another $800 received from a particularly sweet contributor, with $300 of that towards a team member's flight and the rest for expenses. Thus, we have our minimum budget met. Any additional funds means simply more that we can do, and more financial support that we can give the PDA and the Gautier church for their community's rebirth.

Tomorrow is the team's commissioning and then the road crew pulls out. The route takes them through Salt Lake City, Grand Junction Colorado, through Denver and then to Topeka where they turn south, then into Gulfport. There, they go east again into Gautier and we can finally get to work. Enough of this planning! Enough of this fund raising! Let's get down there to start helping folks in Gautier! Let's hope the Swanson's have a freezer full of venison for our stew pot.

We're looking forward to our commissioning tomorrow during the second service, and the start of a long, long road trip. Thankfully it will be one hour shorter on the clock, due to Daylight Savings Time. Most of all we're looking forward to meeting wonderful people in Mississippi who inspire us with their strength and resolve as they recover from Katrina.

Salem Katrina Team Update October 28

Just about ready! Tomorrow we finish loading the U-Haul and Dodge van, but I expect we'll have a pretty full load. We've got so much stuff, if we have trouble driving to Mississippi maybe we'll just pull over and set up our own Home Depot or something!

Here are the things we're bringing to Gautier:
1. Work tools and personal items for crew of 9
2. Folding ladder, 2 joiners (one on floor stand), 1 table saw on floor stand, to be donated
3. 30 gal trash barrel on wheels, to be donated
4. 150 to 250 beautiful handmade quilts to be donated and these will be appreciated!
5. 150 cleaning buckets, 20 loaded with supplies to use or donate
6. First aid station with manual wheelchair, all to be donated when we leave
7. 1500w gas generator, to use and donate when we leave
8. Food preparation equipment including stoves, coolers, pots & pans, serving materials dry paper goods, food for crew, field oven, 2 propane bottles, 1 propane lamp, 1 battery lamp. All to be left for other teams
9. Boxes - thousands of stuffed animals for town police, schools, fire department, area Salvation Army
10. Cash ($500 so far) already mailed to Gautier Presbyterian towards camp expenses
11. Dual burner propane stove, small propane area heater. 30-amp power cords, drills, circular saws, chain saw, 3 5-gal fuel containers, 1 1-gal fuel container, 5 5-gal water containers
12. 25" color TV and 13" TV/VCR combo to use for tent city and donate
13. VCR, digital phones, answering machine, HP multifunction printer w/spare ink, Polaroid photo printers, office supplies to donate for business or home office use
14. Battery-powered floor vacuum and several tarps to donate
15. Microwave/convection oven to donate
16. 2 electric heaters, 1 to donate
17. 1 wet-dry vacuum
18. folding campfire pit for camp use
19. electric scooter for team use at camp
20. 3 twin-size inflatable mattresses, 2 pillows to use and then donate
21. '94 Dodge Caravan, extended bed; lots of miles and runs fine, for team use and then to donate
22. 1750 psi electric high pressure washer to use and then donate


Virginia phoned today. Some additional funds have arrived for which we give thanks. She also wanted to suggest that we send all financial donors a general accounting of how the funds for our team get spent. That's ideal! We can do it by mail with a thank-you note when the trip is over, and we can also publish a summary here on the blog.

Came across a Presbyterian team going to Mississippi from Lake Oswego. They will be working over Thanksgiving so we made arrangements to loan our Dodge van for their use if it would be helpful.

Its getting late. This has been one super-busy day with more shopping, some van repairs and a whole lot of loading. See you tomorrow at 10:00! Karen, you better have that trailer key!!!!

Salem Katrina Team Update October 27

They're working like demons (can we say that?) in Gautier, getting more done now that the weather has remained dry for awhile and the temperatures are so much more comfortable. Today was slightly overcast and the evenings are getting plain cold!

Shown on the left is the "average" business sign typical for Gautier these days, post-Katrina. But those golden arches and other signs of normal business life are certain to return.

I raised the thought of donating some of our budget for the earthquake victims in Pakistan, and thank goodness for good advice from Morella and others who pointed out that we're morally bound to use donations we solicit only for the purposes for which the donor made the gift. Thank you, thank you and many more thank you's for keeping our ethics on the straight and narrow with your sound advice.

Tonight we continued to load the U-Haul with tools and donations, including a TV set, stereo, empty tool chest, manual wheelchair and other items. We had fun loading the stuffed animals donated by staff and patients of Willamette Medical Center. A very happy Paula and Ruth Anne, plus two very, very tired husbands after unloading their truck of toys. Did I mention...they also donated $100 towards our team's expenses. Thanks guys!!

As to the budget, both Karen and Rick mentioned that they've heard about some more gifts, over $500 additional. That's great as we will probably need a couple ladders, garden carts and other items once we're down there, plus the tent city "mayor" Matt Shepherd has requested money or gift cards for Lowe's and Wal-Mart for purchase of building materials.

Evergreen Presbyterian Church in Pensacola, Florida has been a model of Katrina relief. In addition to profoundly useful items such as 700 gallons of diesel fuel, they've donated over $14,000 in cash. Here's their link which you'll find great reading: http://www.evergreenpres.net/Katrina%20Relief.htm

Salem Katrina Team Update October 26

Today we got the motor home back from service (thanks, Valley RV) and rented the U-Haul trailer. We got the largest one they have, but it does seem a bit small. Saturday, when we load, I hope everything will fit.

The staff from Willamette Medical Center has collected thousands (yup, that's a number with three zeros after it) of new stuffed animals to brighten the eyes of any Gulf Coast kid. Tomorrow night they load their collection into the trailer and Dodge van, but I'm afraid we might not have room for all. Our mission...to meet the Salvation Army in Mississippi who'll distribute them, plus we will give a bunch to Gautier Presbyterian as well as the town's school, fire and police departments for their local kids. We're also taking about 250 handmade quilts.

And the quilts are beautiful. Plus, the wonderful ladies who made them have invited each team member to select a quilt to keep you comfortable in your tent!

This morning we also loaded the woodworking equipment donated by Ed Reiks of First Pres Newberg, which gets distributed along with Morella's table saw and joiner.

Congratulations to all: We finally have everybody's flight schedules and it looks like either I pick up folks at Gulfport or the host church picks up Morella and then she picks up Ed the next day, then I'll get the remaining team as they arrive.

We've had so many questions where we're headed from our friends and supporters. Here's a map. We will be at Gautier, Mississippi, which is about 37 miles east of Gulfport, about 5 miles east of Biloxi, right on State Highway 90. It is right on the Gulf, a few minutes walk from the water.

Tomorrow we continue loading cooking gear, computer donations, bedding and other stuff into the trailer, then meet with the Willamette folks to get their teddy bears. Saturday we'll be at the church by 10:00, hoping a couple team members show up to help load the individual equipment and team gear into the U-Haul. Then we get a good night's sleep before church, our team's commissioning and the start of a very, very long drive!

Salem Katrina Team Update, Evening, October 25

Remember to raise funds for our team and for the expenses of the church in Gautier. They recommend sending gift cards from Lowe's or Wal-Mart.

The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has posted fine video clips at their web site, some showing volunteers' daily chores, camp life, damaged homes and the like. View the videos by going to their site http://www.pcusa.org/katrina/reflections/video.htm

Gautier Presbyterian's pastor, Chris Bullock, printed out a membership directory of his church and noted by each member the impact of Katrina. As you look this list over, you'll notice that nearly everyone had devastating damage, a situation which staggers even the one or two folks who somehow escaped severe loss. Here is the list of our friends we have yet to met next month, first showing the impact of the storm and then their names:

Church Directory

Gautier Presbyterian Church

Family lost a great deal of business due to the storm and suffered water damage.
ADAMS, William, Elizabeth

Are simply exhausted from trying to clean up around their house.
AIRHART, Jim , Sue

Navy family that will have to relocate because the homeport which was already slated to close sustained too much damage
ALTIZER, Michael, Casondra, Brielle

Had tremendous flood damage.
BERNSTEIN, Patricia (Pat), Richard (Dick)

Stayed during the storm. The three children stayed as well and remained traumatized.
BEVERAGE, Leon, Calvin Brown, Shone, Hanna

She is our oldest member and is coping well.
Had water damage to their second floor and a gaping hole in their roof.
CLEMENTS, Aubin

CHIVERS, Joyce

Are doing well but have many friends/family in the Houston/Galveston area.
DRAKE, Ralph, Dotty

Are doing well but have many friends in Texas.
Eichmans, Frank, Judy

Lost their home and all their possessions in the storm.
DITTMAN, George, Mary

Having great difficulty with the magnitude of the damage in our area.
KERR, Debra

Struggling, as a young family, to help others out in the church.
LARSEN, Waldemar, Robin, Amy Jo, Billy

Pam was supposed to have surgery in New Orleans the day before the hurricane but it was canceled.
MARTIN, Wayne, Pam, Courtney

Were new to the area and stayed during the storm and are having a hard time coping afterwards
FISHINGER, Bill, Jan

Were also new to the area and stayed during the storm and are having trouble coping.
GILLEN, Dan , Blanche

Tremendous damage to both of their work sites. Sylvia’s restaurant went under water.
HAINES, George, Sylvia

Health problems in the midst of all of this and both had to go back to work quickly after the storm which is both a blessing and difficulty with all that needs done.
MATTISON, James (Jack), Donna

Had significant water damage to her house.
HENNE, Daphne

Had to swim out of her house as the water went over her roof. She is nearly 80.
HOUSEHOLDER, Marge

Tree damage.
HUNT, Fred

Roof damage and yard damage. She has taken in a friend of her late husband’s who lost his house.
KOGER, Dorothy

Flood damage
LAGANGA, Keith, Heidi, Samantha, Tony

New to the community and trying to cope with the damage. House faired well
McDOWELL, Dixon, Linda

30 trees down on their lot. Some still hang precariously over the house.
MEENINK, Dick, Brandy

Several holes in their roof.
MIGNAULT, Richard, June

Stayed during the storm because he has cancer and they couldn’t move.
POOLE, Dick, Barbara

Lost most of her downstairs to the storm. All her precious music/piano/organ was downstairs.
RICHARDSON, Martha

Lost her house and all her many belongings in the storm.
ROBERSON, Gerry

Roof damage. She is caring for her daughter and son in law who lost everything in their beautficul water front home.
SHARPE, Judy

Had sludge throughout their home and are having to gut it all.
TALBOT, Jim , Jo, Dan

Lost the downstairs to flood.
TORGERSON, Rick, Donnis

Lots of tree damage.
WISE, Jerry, Mary

Some water in the house.
WOLFE, Jesse, Cookie

Some roof damage. They are caring for her mother, who lost everything
WOODWARD, Dan, Gerry Anne, Amanda Partridge

Pray for us.

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On today's team business:

I got turned down for the blood drive at church because the Red Cross no longer accepts donations from Persian Gulf vets. That's something I'm going to check...is there some bug I don't know I got exposed to?? Congratulations to the team members I saw there, and especially to Rick Pollan's daughter on her first time donating! Anyway, I enjoyed the cookies!

We went over to Home Depot and many thanks to their management for offering a 10% discount on our purchases. We stocked up on lights, locks, folding ladders, respirators, tape, spare filters, and more. Pretty much locked up our budget but got items we need. The manager at Home Depot reminded me that her store and Lowe's both invite folks to take their classes for free.

Virginia forwarded our second $250 check to Gautier Presbyterian, and gave me the petty cash checks. The $650 donation from First Pres Newberg hasn't come in yet so that's money for the future, plus there was a donation in the collection plate on Sunday for $100 and the $750 in checks given to the information table. Therefore, we have remaining about $1650 left in the bank with Virginia, having spent most of the money on fuel cards and petty cash checks, as we'd planned. Thanks, Virginia, for such kindness getting the checks done, the cards figured out, the paperwork organized for us.

Rick Pollan: I need your flight info, please. Don't want you standing too long at baggage claims! (got it Wednesday morning, thanks...enjoy your "red eye" flight to Houston!)

Tomorrow we pick up the U-Haul and get the electrical connections figured out to the motor home, and then load up the materials from McMinnville. We'll bring the trailer to the church on Thursday, and then load from our church trailer and the upstairs storage room at 10:00 on Saturday. Anybody free that morning, please show up and lend a hand.

Still looking for a couple folding ladders and wheelbarrows or garden carts. Please be sure you have your individual equipment. I heard on the news that flu shots are now available in the Salem area...get yours now, folks.

Salem Katrina Team Update October 25

Yesterday we got word that respirators are difficult to find (and expensive) in the South, so we made the decision to buy them up here. We got two at Lowe's and we'll get four more at Home Depot in Salem, and give them to any team member who hasn't yet purchased one. I can't find replacement filters but will keep looking online.

We were asked to set up a blog for Gautier Presbyterian which we did, and you can see it at www.gautierpresby.blogspot.com . We'll keep posting news there until they get it running themselves.

In Gautier, the tent city has a "mayor" named Mark Shepherd. Mark was asked yesterday for his Number One priority for donations at Gautier Presbyterian and in fact, for the entire area they're helping. Easy answer. Mark needs gift cards from Wal-Mart and Lowe's.

These stores are nearby and have pretty much everything needed to do the work. The nearby Lowe's SuperCenter meets nearly every requirement and their folks have been good to their Mississippi neighbors. We learned that Lowe's recently donated over $6,000,000 for Katrina! Mark says, "We are always restocking our tool shed inventory and as we progress towards the rebuilding stage other tools will become necessary. We will also need large amounts of sheet rock/insulation, electrical and plumbing fixtures, carpeting etc. Each day down here brings a new set of challenges and a gift card provides the flexibility required in a disaster response."

Mark has already had a response to his appeal. The Disaster Volunteer Team from First Presbyterian Church of Salem is sending a $250 Lowe's gift card, on top of the $500 already given for the operation of the tent city. Now, Mark needs thousands and thousands more. Send your checks or gift cards using this address:

Mark Shepherd c/o Gautier Presbyterian Church
100 Hwy 90
Gautier, MS 39553

If you want to get a gift card right away for Mark and the Gautier team, here's the link to the Lowe's gift card site so you can order online with a credit card: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productAccess&referurl=giftCard%26view%3Dhome&lpage=none

Here's the link for Wal-Mart's gift card: http://www.walmart.com/giftcards?adid=1500000000000002547100&dest=110783

Today we're going through the Mexico mission equipment to see what can be of use in Mississippi. And I think our greedy eyes are making Jarrod Judge just a little nervous! Don't worry, Jerrad...we won't take everything. Yesterday we got the medical supplies from Willamette Valley Medical Center for our first aid station.

Salem Katrina Team Update October 24

Good morning, team. Shown on the left is the nearby city of Waveland's City Hall. What's left of it, as you can see, are the steps leading up to...nothing.

The impact of it all is staggering. Imagine Salem losing 1700 homes (the number lost in Gautier) with perhaps 3400 workers and their families in them. 3400 workers who were the doctors, salesmen, gas station attendants, barbers, students, bus drivers, auto mechanics, nurses, grocery store clerks, bankers, teachers, writers, gardeners, postal clerks, home makers, insurance adjusters, and so on. The impact, even on our much larger town, would be crushing. We won't understand this, even after we come back.

What's happening this moment in Gautier? Rev. Chris Bollock of Gautier Presbyterian posted a great collection of photos taken just this last week by a visiting team from Alabama. Here is the link to them so you can download and watch another team doing what we're about to do. Good for them! Click here to download that 2.5 meg movie file.
http://www.ctcsouth.com/http://www.ctcsouth.com/zionsville10-22_0003.wmv

Downloadable Files: Here are a couple files you might need to download now and then. I keep the PowerPoint file about our Katrina project fairly current, especially regarding funds, etc.
http://www.ctcsouth.com/katrina.ppt PowerPoint show on our team's effort
http://www.ctcsouth.com/presbyterian Tif list from PDA of team and individual supply items

Needed gear: We're still scouting for folding ladders, especially the fancy, mult-fold high-tech ones which are so versatile. We also need a big garden cart. We now have three dual burner propane stoves and the Swanson's are bringing their field oven, so our "chuck wagon" function appears to be fully equipped, especially with the big coolers we found yesterday from the Mexico mission. I am reassured by the nearby Lowe's SuperCenter because if we need something we can buy it. Yesterday we were donated a 1500w gas generator to use and leave in Gautier. If you know where I get get some of our needed gear at a good discount, please let me know, or we can discuss your buying it and we'll cover the expense later.

Personal items: I was sent a message yesterday by a volunteer working in the next town over from Gautier. He insists that we bring quality respirators, not the simple paper dusk masks. If you can, visit Lowe's or Home Depot and tell a clerk what you need to protect us from the mold spores...and smells. The proper respirators are hard to find in the local area.

Team Skills: I grow more confident! Not about me, but about each of you! Listening to the folks yesterday was great. When I spoke with Morella on the phone she described the work she's doing in Palm Springs...a real home improvement wonder! And I've seen Joan "work trail" for the Bureau of Land Management...a little thing like a semi-destroyed town should be within the team's grasp!

This blog: Your blog!! Leave some comments, won't you, please? Also, I emailed everyone the signon name and password so you can enter your own postings, so please feel free to do so. Thoughts, worries, suggestions, photos, gripes, whatever are welcome. It is our team's bulletin board to the world!

Looking at the news, I'm thankful that Wilma's impact on Florida was nowhere near the terror which struck the Gulf Coast, but its clear that Mexico and their resorts were badly hit.

I have been "beating the bushes" without shame for support for our Katrina team, but please keep mentioning to friends and loved ones the needs of the people suffering from the earthquakes in the Far East. A death toll over 79,000! So many lives could be spared and further suffering relieved by fast gifts of money, food, water and shelter. I was impressed that Turkey, certainly not a rich nation, is the largest donor of relief funds. MercyCorps in Portland has been doing a great job, but the USA needs to do more.

Salem Katrina Team Update October 23

Our first picture, here on the left, is of the church hall which is finally getting its wallboard installed after four weeks of drying and mold removal.

What a nice service today, and the meeting of the team was great. Thanks, everyone, for staying so we could talk things out. Here's the news, but first the best news. Karen Pollan talked me into leaving my General Patton uniform home and just coming in my civilian clothes..."Relax and go with the flow", I think she said.

Budget: At least $1100 more was contributed so we are now just over $7000, leaving $1500 to go. We're certainly going to get much closer by next weekend and we will continue accepting donations while we're off working...the more money, the more work we can do.

Team Members: We have Ed, Morella, Rick, Wes and Joan, theSwansons, Karen, David and Diane. Ten of us leaves room for more, certainly, but we have a team!! Diane, we need to hear from you.

Supplies: Stored upstairs at the end of the hall on the right side. We found some items for the Mexico mission trip we can have, especially water jugs and small propane bottles. I went over the materials sent by Christ Church...superbly packed and labeled. Thanks, folks! Wonderful job getting those items together and having them here for us. We're also picking up some useful first aid items. Tomorrow Willamette Valley Medical Center delivers more medical items for our first aid station and we learn how they're going to deliver the stuffed toys we're hauling for them. Karen mentioned we have "hundreds" of quilts that we're taking also.

Team Equipment: Please have your gear bags here not later than Saturday morning. We agreed to have a few fellows meet at the church at 10:00 to load the UHaul. That's got to be done Saturday, not Sunday. We were offered a 1500w generator to take, use and then donate! I couldn't find the two propane stoves we were promised...anybody know where they are?

Commissioning: Karen has the commissioning set for the second service on the 30th. I am looking forward to hitting the road!

I got a nice email from a gentleman working one town over from Gautier, and he stresses that we need quality respirators because they're hard to find locally. He emphasized strong work boots, sturdy gloves and the like. He mentions bringing air mattresses so that answers a question I had...guess the tents don't have cots. I have two air mattresses and will buy a couple more and have them there for anyone who needs them. We also have a battery-powered inflator.

We spoke with the Swansons before church began. They're going through Omaha at the moment and offered to bring a camp stove to Gautier so we can cook even turkeys. I accepted, of course! We will loan it to others over Thanksgiving when we're all back in Oregon, but we will have it for use to support the George Fox University and Newberg High School teams for their Christmas dinner. Good news from the Swansons included the fact that gas is getting cheaper the further West they traveled.

Please get your medical forms completed somehow. You can fax them to me at 503 961-9920, leave at the church office in an envelope with your name and mine, or give them to me next Saturday or Sunday. But...we really should have them before we start working. Karen mentioned that in Mexico everyone had a medical/ID tag on an elastic string. I'll see what we can do along those lines.
do!

Thank you, everyone, for your committment, your faith, your hard work. See you Saturday and Sunday.

Wes

Gap Coupons

Salem Katrina Team Update October 22

This photo is so sad. Some folks still living live like this, under a blue tarp, trying to put their lives back together. Wow!

But, as for me, I'm grateful for nice feelings all day long. First, Jim Doran, our local Dodge dealer went over the minivan we're taking, for free. He found the alignment off and suggested we call our local tire dealer, who tomorrow will be doing that service...also for free! By the way, my cell phone is 971 241-9322. Let's try to all swap phone numbers during the organizational meeting this Sunday at church.

Hey, I finally got my tetanus shot! On the way out of the hospital last night, I saw a huge box of stuffed animals and a sign reading "for Katrina Kids". I asked around, and now it looks like we're going to haul a few hundred teddy bears with us for kids in Gulfport and Gautier. On Monday, the same hospital will be delivering the rest of the medical gear for our first aid station.

Remembering that we live in our lovely sales tax-free state, we've been buying dry goods and some food for the trip, plus more food service gear like coffee pots, etc. Did pretty good at the Dollar Tree last night and and Goodwill also. This week I will ask Don or Karen to prepare something like letters of authorization for the team so just in case, we can make it clear who we're representing. Speaking of Karen, she has set up her flight into Gulfport for arrival on the 18th and departure (at 0630...is she serious??) on the 19th. Joan Carter will take the same flight so she can get a ride home with Karen because I'm staying a few more days. I fly back to Oregon on the 22nd, then turn around and go back to Gulfport on December 8th to work through the end of February unless I burn out beforehand. Or get tired of cheese grits. Or get homesick!

The Swanson's wrote from Wyoming as they were driving east. Just saw a herd of antelope before they wrote...what a beautiful sight! They offered wise caution regarding towing the trailer to Mississippi...like them, I've had the occasional problem in the past and we'll be sure to be careful. They are going hunting in Georgia, and then will drive to Gautier to join our team. (Wayne and Mary, check your email...my messages to you come back marked "mailbox full".)

Heard from the host Gautier pastor, Chris Bullock who's about as busy as you can image. Seems like a good, strong man to have there at such a time. He's already got a candidate to receive the donation of our Dodge van. We have also found a TV, multi-function printer/copier and other gear for him.

Here's an idea for our music committee: can we manage to raise some funds to help the organist at Gautier Presbyterian? Her home had terrible damage. Joan and Christine, can you consider that...perhaps put the word out to our areas' organists.

If I haven't mentioned before, our team is bringing some "creature comforts" to Gautier. For your computing pleasure, we'll have at least two laptops, CD burner, digital cameras, digital video recorder, one flatbed copier, one fax machine, two Mac or PC printers, one photo printer, one label printer and an LCD video projector with 6' screen. We can even have movies in the evening if you'd like. There isn't much room, but each of the motor homes (Carters' and Swansons') has a small refrigerator, and ours has a small safe if you need to lock up something. The motor homes also have "basement" areas if you want to put something a bit larger into a locked space rather than leave it in your tent. The RVs also have satellite television...I'd hate missing The West Wing.

Local transportation: Pastor Bullock says the roads are too difficult to drive the motor homes around, but we'll have the 7 passenger Dodge minivan plus the Swanson's CRV which will seat four. We're covered, plus we can easily handle anybody's airport runs or whatever you need. I'll have a few spare keys for the Dodge van for whoever needs to use it. I think I'll also have a bike and a small electric scooter.

Team Members: Here's who I understand is going. The Swansons, Morella, Karen, Wes and Joan, David, Rick, and Diane. That's nine of us (Ed signed up the next day), certainly a good crew but remember that we have room for more! I have flight arrangements from Karen and Morella only. The Carters and Swansons are driving, so that leaves me worried about Rick, David and Diane. Soothe my worried brow, dear friends, and tell me what flights you're on or whether you're riding with the road crew on the 30th. FYI, Morella's flight gets her into Gulfport quite early, on the 4th, so she'll be our advance scout for a couple days and make sure we get the best tent sites, far from the port-a-potties.

Salem Katrina Team Update for October 21

Good morning. Looking forward to our meeting Sunday at 12:15 in the Pioneer Room. Today I read through a web site maintained by an old friend from a history class at Montreat College, Dr. Ed Brenegar. Ed reports the organization at Gautier Presbyterian is running just fine, with 45 to 60 volunteers working there today and great spirit shown by everyone. But the town is simply devastated.

Ed's site, and you'll want to spend some time looking through everything, is:
http://edbrenegar.typepad.com/thepresbyterianpolis/

We were given a mailing and shipping address to share in case you want mail or packages sent to you while working in Gautier which I've put below. Also, we sent the work site $250 towards necessary expenses and we'll probably need to send more. Yesterday they were doing some dry wall work in the church itself, some areas having been cleaned and "de-molded" enough to allow walls to be replaced. They do have showers, as mentioned in an earlier posting to our blog, and they are on a trailer and the port-a-potties are quite sanitary. The weather is a bit nicer and less humid, helping the workers stay comfortable.

Local Mailing and Shipping Address:
Your Name c/o Rev. Chris Bullock
Gautier Presbyterian Church
1009 highway 90
P.O. Box 340
Gautier, MS 39553

Budget: no special news but we did get a nice offer from Kinkos in Salem, where their manager Linda approved doing our printing and signs for half off. Very much appreciated! The budget is about $3200 short but improving. Virginia reports we now have a total of $5258 raised towards the trip and I think that doesn't include the offer from First Pres Newberg.

If possible, consider bringing whatever you need put into the trailer on Sunday so we can get an idea of the bulk and weight involved. Karen Pollan has set aside a room upstairs for storage, and we'll load the trailer on October 29. Loading Sunday when the road crew is to begin driving would just be too busy! Stuff we need...same as before!

Salem Katrina Team Update October 20

Checking Gautier's various web sites it is encouraging that there are now several restaurants open and other services as well. Today's temperature is in the mid-70's, quite comfortable for working. The folks there still say mold is the big problem and good respirators are important for all volunteers.

The tent city "mayor" reported that local travel is still very difficult, especially for larger vehicles trying to navigate around trash and downed trees, and also for visitors because almost all the city's street signs are missing!

Yesterday, our team got a nice gift from Jim Doran Dodge in McMinnville, as they offered to go over the Dodge minivan we're taking to make sure we have a trouble-free trip to the Gulf. Thanks, folks!

Team Meeting - First Pres Katrina Relief

Karen Pollan has set the team's meeting for Sunday at 12:15 in the Pioneer Room, following the late service. She suggests lunch for everyone who's interested, so we can either do our meeting and then eat or have a working lunch...your choice! Budget...about $3000 short and improving!

Note please that Karen has set up a room upstairs in the church to drop off team and individual supplies for eventual loading into the trailer. She also mentioned she'll be at the Gautier site with us between the 14th and the 18th.

Items we're still looking for as of October 18:
A. Trailer, dual axle, covered which can be left in Mississippi for their use
B. High pressure gas-powered washer
C. Large lawn/garden cart for moving trash from construction site
D. Igloo water jugs (like you see on utility trucks...about 5 gal)
E. Diesel and gas 5 gallon fuel containers. Must seal perfectly!!!
F. Hard hats...work site helmets for our crew
G. Hand & Power tools which we can use, then donate to local residents
H. Gas or diesel generator with instructions no longer needed
I. Money...it sure does the job!
J. Dual burner propane camp stove (got a promise of one on Oct 14!)
K. Propane camp lanterns with spare mantels, propane (small green bottles)
L. Wheelbarrows
M. Folding ladders
N. Dry wall installation gear - stilts, tape, paste, saw, etc.
O. Washer/Dryer stacked unit to leave at Gautier Presbyterian
P. Gift cards for Home Depot, Lowe's...use for our materials
Q. Respirators & spare filters; knee pads; safety glasses
R. Sick room equipment such as wheelchairs, commodes

First Pres Katrina Relief

Good morning, team. Only eleven days until we push off for the Gulf Coast and we're just about ready. We're scheduling our organizational meeting for Sunday, October 23 somewhere in the morning...Karen Pollan will select the best time and I'll let the team know. We are also continuing our information table between services and the fundraising efforts.

Some Internet sites of interest:
www.salemfirstpres.org
http://salemkatrina.blogspot.com/ (our own Katrina blog site)
www.pcusa.org

Willamette Valley Medical Center has generously offered us some first aid items for our work in Gautier as we set up a first aid station. Our thanks to their CEO (my fellow hospital administrator and our sweet neighbor) Rosemary Davis and her staff. We have also purchased a large first responder kit and a smaller one for use at various work sites.

Having heard that Gautier has generators including two yet to be used, I've declined the kind offer of a loan from Leon Bolen. We still need one more dual burner propane stove, 5 gallon fuel containers, folding ladders, respirators, hard hats, knee pads, dry wall items such as stilts and saws, work crew water jugs, high pressure gas-powered washer, wheel barrows, lawn carts and more. Many, many folks from many churches are out scouting equipment for us. Our heartfelt thanks to all!

Who's on board? Thus far, we have Karen Pollan, Ed Stahl, David Dyer, Wes and Joan Carter, Diane Tibbatts, Morella Larson, Rick Pollan, and Wayne and Mary Swanson. Room for more and your help, regardless of skill level, will be well-received!

What can you be doing between now and our trip South? Get your shots, please. This is vital for your own health and safety. Get your medical information together for me (a list of your medications, medical condition, insurance program with their telephone number and your membership number, and a signed statement saying "I hereby authorize any member of the Salem First Presbyterian Church disaster team, or any attending physician, to approve any medical care indicated in the event of my inability to provide that approval." Put this into an envelope, seal it with your name on the outside and give to Wes Carter to store in the motor home's safe...just in case.

You might also use your contacts to solicit support towards our budget goal of $8500 as we are only just past half way there. One team member has his employer sponsoring his trip, another member contacted nearby churches for their support, and Karen has put the word out throughout the Presbertery.

Please make sure you've gone over the individual team member checklist of stuff to bring. I don't think they mentioned hard hats but that would be a good idea, as would sturdy boots, rain gear, lots of clothes including some you don't mind discarding after they're ruined, and the rest of the list. I invite everyone to please, please pack your gear into some sort of duffel or laundry bag, label it with your name and the contents, and give it to us by October 29 so we can haul it to Gautier for you with the road crew (as opposed to the "plane" crew).

I still beg for everyone's travel information. Unless we hear otherwise we should assume that everyone is traveling by air and that we are to pick you up the evening of November 6 and return to the Gulfport airport the morning (around 10 or so) of November 21. Any volunteers to provide shuttle service from Salem to Portland International and back to avoid taking (and parking at $8/day) everyone's own cars?

First Presbyterian Church of Salem - Katrina Relief

The First Presbyterian Church of Salem Oregon is fielding a team of ten volunteers to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to assist in Hurricane Katrina Relief. Departing October 30, the team will report to Gautier, Mississippi to clear debris, do minor repairs and operate a first aid station. Gautier was badly hit by Katrina, losing 1700 homes and having many more damaged and in need of extensive rehabilitation.

Essential to the effort is raising the necessary budget of $8500 to cover fuel, work materials, food and transportation. The church's own Missions Committee has provided $2000, plus support has been received from nearby First Presbyterian Church of Newberg and First Presbyterian Church of McMinnville. Team members have pledged the remainder, but church officials want very much to limit the gift of the volunteers to their time, not their money, and hope to collect the necessary funds elsewhere.

The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance organization forms volunteer teams from all across the country and assigns them to disaster areas as needed. In Gautier, on the church lawn, tents have been set up for the volunteers who work seven to fourteen days in the area. Showers have recently been added and plans exist to improve electrical power and Internet access. Food is prepared by the volunteers themselves.

Salem's team is dispatching two large motor homes and two smaller vehicles, but most members are flying into the nearby regional airport in Gulfport, only 37 miles away.

This blog is dedicated to the wonderful people I've met as we formed our group of volunteers and to their supporters and families. While in Gautier or wherever else we might be posted in the area, we'll be sending news about our daily experiences for all to read, along with photos as we have the chance to prepare them.

What can you do for us? Well, we need help on our budget or we'll have to pay it all ourselves because, no matter what, we're heading to Gautier. As for materials, we can use several wheelbarrows, a large garden cart, a high pressure gas powered washer, generators, gas and diesel fuel cans, sick room equipment, medical supplies, respirators, propane camp lanterns, dry wall items such as stilts, tape, paste and the like. If you have such items available, contact team leader Wes Carter at rustysilverwings@aol.com or call him at (503) 435-2947, or call the church.

First Presbyterian Church

770 Chemeketa St. NE

Salem, OR 97301-3894
(503) 363-9234