The View from the Ground:
Observations of an IRD-US Relief Worker

October 5, 2005

UNLOADING SUPPLIES IN EAST BILOXI

Bicycles, stuffed animals, children’s books, microwaves, dishes and blankets were just a sampling of the household items that IRD-US’ relief team unloaded this week for Biloxi residents affected by Hurricane Katrina.

IRD-US arranged the shipment of the household supplies that were donated and delivered by the Terry Lee Johnson trucking company. The company, based in Stockertown, PA, put out a call to the local community asking for donations to benefit victims of the hurricane. Through collections at local radio stations and churches, the company filled a 53-foot trailer with household items such as linens, clothing, kitchenware, toys and baby supplies.

Members of IRD-US’ relief team were on the ground in Biloxi to greet the company’s owner, Mr. Terry Johnson, who drove the supplies from Pennsylvania and personally delivered the shipment on October 4th.

IRD-US was assisted by Mr. Johnson and volunteers from Urban Living Ministries (ULM) as supplies were unloaded and prepared for distribution at the ULM Compassion Center in East Biloxi. The ULM center provides daily meals for survivors while also running a “supply store” where families can come each week to pick up household items, cleaning supplies and relief goods free of charge. IRD-US arranged the shipment of household items to be delivered to the center where they were sorted and added to the inventory of supplies available to families affected by the hurricane.

“IRD-US recognizes that for many families, receiving essential household items such as cooking utensils and bedding can help them during the recovery process as they cope with the magnitude of this disaster,” said Dr. Adam Koons, Director of Relief at IRD-US.

The hurricane destroyed most of the buildings and infrastructure in East Biloxi, leaving hollowed shells where houses once stood. Families that have found temporary shelter are considered fortunate in this devastated area where many survivors are still living in dilapidated homes and some have even converted old fishing boats into makeshift housing. Yet, even with some form of shelter, many families living in this hard-hit area find themselves without essentials such as cooking utensils, household appliances and cleaning supplies.

The ULM compassion center strives to meet those immediate needs, providing meals, clothing and supplies to local families. Kryz Michelson, an 18-year-old volunteer from Connecticut, has committed three weeks of his time to working at the compassion center. After hearing his friend Emily announce at church that she was coming to Mississippi to help the hurricane victims, Kryz said that he knew he had to come, too.

Kryz, a foreman at the R. Lindener Construction Company, bought a plane ticket despite objections from his boss. “I just hope I have a job when I get back,” he said with a smile.

From 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Kryz worked tirelessly to help IRD-US unload, sort and prepare the household items for distribution. After spending a week in this hurricane-ravaged town, he understands the urgency of helping families in need.

“This is much worse than I pictured,” he said.

He says he doesn’t mind “roughing it” as he sleeps in a tent at the compassion center, working long days in the sweltering Mississippi heat.

“This is going to be an experience,” he said.

October 4, 2005

DISTRIBUTION OF BICYCLES, BILOXI, MS

Some were shiny and red with black streamers dangling from the handle bars. Others were hot pink with purple flowers and bold letters spelling HUFFY across the frame. Soon to follow were nearly three dozen bicycles of all sizes and colors that were donated by the Wilson Borough, PA Police Department and transported by Terry Lee Johnson Trucking Company of Stockertown, PA to benefit the hurricane survivors in Biloxi, MS.

IRD-US worked with the trucking company to arrange the shipment of the bicycles and household items that were collected from communities in Pennsylvania on behalf of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. On October 4, IRD-US’ relief team was on the ground to unload and help prepare the supplies for affected families.

Whether red, purple, black, blue or pink, IRD-US’ relief team unloaded the bicycles before they were repaired and distributed to local families at the Compassion Center in East Biloxi. The Compassion Center, managed by Urban Life Ministries (ULM), included the bicycles in its inventory of household items, cleaning supplies and clothing available to hurricane survivors living in the area.

Before the bicycles were distributed to survivors visiting the center, Senior Airman Blayney and other members of the 314th Airlift Wing in the US Air Force examined and administered any needed repairs to the bicycles. Blayney and his unit traveled from Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas to assist in the recovery efforts in Mississippi. The squadron is stationed in the area for one month to support the community as it recovers from the devastation caused by hurricane Katrina.

With the help of ULM volunteers, the Terry Lee Johnson Trucking Company and Senior Airman Blayney, IRD-US’ relief team was able to prepare and distribute the tricycles, dirt bikes and bicycles to survivors within a few hours. It didn’t take long for the word to spread quickly — by late afternoon, all of the bicycles had been given to families and children eager to get their hands on these hot commodities.

September 12, 2005

SIGN READS: “DON’T GIVE UP SLIDELL!”

On the road to Slidell, LA, IRD-US’ relief team traveled to meet representatives from the Church of Latter-Day Saints to discuss ongoing relief efforts for the weather-beaten community. Slidell, a small city on Lake Pontchartrain, suffered severe flooding and water damage following the hurricane.

Evidence of Katrina’s tour throughout the city was most visible in the dilapidated homes and damaged store fronts and restaurants. Small, rickety homes tucked behind a layer of trees were often characterized by collapsed roofs and protruding tree branches. Trailer parks pummeled by flooding and high winds accented the depressed areas of town.

Small gas stations with pieces of paper taped to their windows advertised the sale of essentials such as milk, eggs and even “Grandma’s boiled peanuts.”

Slidell, like so many of the Southern towns reeling from the aftermath of Katrina, is a community banding together in the worst of circumstances. A shopping center parking lot was canvassed with goods and piles of donated clothing. Alongside Highway 190, a sign spray-painted in black letters reads, “Don’t give up Slidell!”

September 11, 2005

UNLOADING RELIEF SUPPLIES AT TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

After eating a quick breakfast of fried hot dogs and pancakes prepared by the church staff at Trinity United Methodist Church (TUMC), IRD-US’ team pitched in to help the church receive and unload relief supplies for the hurricane victims living in the Gulfport area.

IRD-US’ relief team helped to unload a 40-foot trailer filled with relief supplies that had been packed and shipped by a Methodist church in Indiana. The trailer, filled with supplies including baby food, clothing, cleaning supplies and hygiene products will be stored in the church’s community center for distribution to local victims.

“In all of my 42 years as a pastor, I have never seen anything like this,” said the church’s Minister, Ray Stokes, as he supervised the shipment.

The unloading of the truck began at 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning and drew a large crowd willing and eager to help. The diverse group of volunteers had traveled from as far as Arizona, Utah, Indiana and Kentucky to lend a helping hand.

Bob and Joe, two volunteers from Louisville, KY, drove 13 hours to bring donations and support to people who were left homeless and vulnerable after the disaster. After collecting donations from their friends and families, they purchased equipment such as chain saws, rakes and gloves and delivered the items, as well as cash, to families hit hard by the hurricane.

“We want to do all that we can to help,” they said.

Both joined the group of volunteers unloading and storing the relief supplies at the church. In addition to immediate relief provisions, items such as children’s toys and even 5-gallon containers of pickles were added to the assortment of donations.

One volunteer, upon seeing the stockpile of Kosher dill pickles, smiled and said, “At least we know they are blessed!”

KATRINA’S WAKE

Uprooted trees. Collapsed houses. Gutted buildings.

It is nearly impossible to convey the level of devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina. IRD-US’ team, escorted by Dickie Roberts of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, drove through the most damaged areas of Biloxi, MS to survey what remained in Katrina’s wake. It appeared that little was left unscathed by Mother Nature’s wrath.

The coastal area of Biloxi is now characterized by ten-foot high piles of debris, broken trees and dilapidated buildings. Where homes once stood, rubble and debris now lay scattered for miles. Where trees once towered, broken trunks and splintered branches now canvass the ground.

As far as one can see, only strewn pieces of what was once a vibrant community remains. There were no survivors to be seen in the deserted area. Instead, passers by were confronted with the stark reality of entire communities wiped out by one storm.

In one fell swoop, the hurricane destroyed much of the community, and the landmarks that had been imprinted in the hearts of Biloxi’s residents. With little regard for history or tradition, Katrina completely leveled the Schooner Seafood Restaurant, one of Biloxi’s oldest and most treasured restaurants. Only the sign remains, as if to act as a reminder of once was.

With little regard for status or wealth, the hurricane took aim at the mayor’s home. Now, only two white columns from the prominent home still stand.

With little regard for jobs or livelihood, Katrina unleashed her fury on the floating barges that once boasted the mainstay of Biloxi’s local economy - the Casinos. Swept inland and abandoned on shore, the Casinos now resemble empty shells with gutted structures and broken windows.

Yet, despite the widespread devastation, hope remains. One man, having lost his home and all of his belongings, said simply, “We shall rise again.”

September 10, 2005

IRD-US TEAM TRAVELS TO GULFPORT, MS

Today IRD-US embarked on its first assessment trip to the hurricane-ravaged areas of Mississippi. Each carrying three bags filled with traveling supplies, computer equipment and sleeping bags, the assessment team of seven departed Dulles International Airport for Pensacola, FL.

The flights were quick and without delays. Realizing that food provisions and supplies might be harder to find once on the road, the team stopped at a local grocery store and canvassed every aisle for nonperishable items that could sustain the team for a week, if needed.

The assessment team had not been in Florida more than three hours before witnessing the generosity and the compassion of the local community for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. While checking out at the grocery store, a Pensacola resident asked IRD-US’ team if they were headed to the hurricane areas. Perhaps the three cart loads of food, bottled water and various provisions were a dead giveaway. Without giving his name, he reached for his wallet and quickly asked if he could buy $100.00 worth of supplies.

“I want to help,” he said simply.

Due to the chaos caused by the hurricane, many hotels and churches have become a temporary source of housing for the displaced. Unable to arrange lodging, the IRD-US team was greeted warmly by the Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport, MS and offered a place to stay.

Dole Mitchell, a Methodist pastor of 40 years, left his local parish in central MS to help coordinate the transportation and distribution of relief supplies at Trinity’s community center this week. Since Tuesday, the local congregation has been feeding 1,500 – 2,000 people each day in their community center.

Proudly sporting his Ole Miss belt buckle, he smiled and said that there would be a shipment of relief supplies arriving that night at 11:00 p.m. and another shipment arriving at 7:00 a.m. the following morning.

“I have great news,” he said with a heavy Mississippi drawl. “Tonight we are getting truckloads of supplies delivered, and we need your help to unload and get it to the people who need it most.”

He was addressing the dozens of volunteers who had come from all around the country to lend a helping hand. The arrival of nurses from Arizona, an orthopedic doctor from Utah and volunteers from Florida underscore the magnitude of this disaster and the willingness of people to travel thousands of miles to help their fellow Americans in need.

One such volunteer, Noreen Szombathelyi, had traveled with members from her church in Florida to see what she could do to help. She recounted how the construction company she works for is still working to rebuild the homes of the victims of Hurricane Ivan that wreaked havoc in her home town. Her eyes filled with tears as she described the kindness and the willingness of volunteers who traveled from Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana to offer support to all of the people left homeless in Ivan’s wake.

Now, she sees this as a way to return the kindness that her community received from her neighbors in the region.

“We’re only three hours away,” she said. “We will definitely come the next several months if they need us. We’ll come as long as they need us.”