From our friends in Bay St. Louis,
For those who would like to know why we are making this trip, please read the following…

Hi Stephanie and Liza! 
Thanks for contacting Disaster Corps about the upcoming trip in December to Bay St Louis, Ms..  What a difference your group will make to BSL (Bay St Louis, Ms) residents and volunteers.  With the holidays soon approaching it is a very difficult time for anyone who has survived a disaster.  Having lost our home and 2 businesses to Hurricane Floyd in 1999, I know first hand how important it is to have some type of "normal" during this special time of the year.  My husband even put an angel blowing her trumpet on top of our FEMA trailer our first Christmas after the flood.  It was probably the most precious site I had ever seen, something familiar, something joyous, something to bring back past memories of how your life was.  With both of you living in NY I am sure it was the same way after 9/11. 

We can compile a list of tent communities or neighborhoods you can visit and maybe the special gathering places of the residents. 

There are no hotels/motels open but we would love to have you in our volunteer camp.  We do have tents / cots / hot showers/ porta potties / and meals all for free. We will be more than happy to set aside room for your group.  Plus anyone interesting in assisting in the cleanup of homes we can supply equipment (masks, tools etc) but if they have a personal pair of rubber boots (can be just above ankles, something very inexpensive) since we don't always have everyone's size. 

We are so excited!  Since the headlines no longer carry the recovery effort often, we love the idea that perhaps through your volunteers they can pass along how critical the needs are in the BSL area.  Just last week we found out that over 120 people were still living in cars.  We have addressed that issue but still that just shows the great need.

BSL was once a great arts community, and after the total devastation of the area they will recover but it will be slow.  That is why your visit will be so special, this town loves the arts and the music will inspire them to continue to rebuild.

Our list of needs is basically the same as you have listed on your web page but we are in desperate need of heaters for tents and heavy-duty extension cords or power strips.  The type of heaters can be the small ones that can be found at many home supply stores.  They are small, compact and turn off automatically if they are turned over or overheat.  The tent heaters made especially for tents are extremely expensive and not practical.  If we could have a "wish list" it would be hand trucks (the type you move boxes) that are medium duty so we can cart out appliances when cleaning out a home, a few small step ladders, crow bar and flat bars.  I have included a link to our web site; just click on the immediate needs page… http://www.disastercorps.org/default.html
 
Lastly, please thank everyone within your group, you will definitely be the instruments that will bring the holiday spirits into BSL.

Stephanie Spencer
Disaster Corps

Thank you.