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.