VIM KATRINA RELIEF PROJECT

Ocean Springs, MS - Apr 3-8, 2006

A Volunteers In Mission (VIM) Team, sponsored by Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church, recently returned from a Disaster Response trip Apr 3 – Apr7, 2006 to Ocean Springs, Mississippi.  They were

one of many work groups involved in projects to help clean up and rebuild homes after Hurricane Katrina in Jackson and Harrison Counties along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Accommodations for the VIM team were provided by the host organization C.O.R.E Christians Organized for Relief Efforts.  All volunteers stayed in air conditioned and heated tents at the C.O.R.E. Base Camp on the property of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Ocean Springs, MS.  Hot shower and toilet facilities were available on site.  And, St. Paul UMC provided auditorium, kitchen and dining facilities that could accommodate over 400 volunteers per day.

 The thirteen VIM team members were: Jerry Badgerow, James Legg, Vince Richardson, Howard Robb, Larry and Pat Tonkel, and Marty and Paul Wennermark from Fairfield Glade UMC; Carolyn and Joe Karl from Christ Lutheran Church; Larry Hartman and Bill Stephens Jr. from First UMC Crossville; and Rebecca Satterfield from Webbs Chapel UMC in Smithville.

 Specific work tasks included: 1) Rev. McCarter home in Biloxi, MS, bathtub installation, drywall installation and finishing, and painting work.  2) Peggy Castallo home in Gauthier, MS installation of new kitchen base, wall and ceiling hung cabinets, formica countertops and sink; installation of door hardware and bathroom vanity cabinet and lavatory.  3) Carl Lewis home in Gauthier, MS installation of three new formica countertops in kitchen.  4) Dorothy Meadows home in Ocean Springs, MS removal of water damaged carpet and tear down of mold damaged drywall in preparation for sanitizing wall studs.

 Total VIM team costs were $2,270, including $1,383 paid to C.O.R.E. to defray costs of food, supplies and project materials.  First United Methodist Church of Crossville provided the bus transportation.  Many thanks are given to VIM team members for their time and money and to support of FFG UMC members toward this Katrina Relief project.