http://braegan.homeschooljournal.net/2006/07/31/monday-the-24th-off-to-waveland/

http://braegan.homeschooljournal.net/2006/07/28/sunday-the-23rd/

http://braegan.homeschooljournal.net/2006/07/23/saturday-july-22nd-at-gods-katrina-kitchen/

http://braegan.homeschooljournal.net/2006/07/23/observations/

http://braegan.homeschooljournal.net/2006/07/21/friday-july-21st-gods-katrina-kitchen/ 

http://braegan.homeschooljournal.net/2006/07/20/arrived-in-la/ 

—————————————————————————————————————————-

Regan, Braeden and I are going to the Gulf Coast (Pass Christian and Waveland, MS) to do volunteer work for a week or longer in supporting the volunteers and families who are rebuilding there. We will arrive Thursday, July 20^th.  We will start off volunteering for God’s Katrina Kitchen (http://www.godskatrinakitchen.org/) and then go to Camp Second Helpin’ (http://remareinforcements.blogspot.com/).  These are the only places that I could find to bring children where it is safe to participate – just read what Camp Second Helpin’ does – I was so excited when I found it. I am asking each of you to consider making a donation toward the organizations.

As far as physical donations, Camp Second Helpin’ is looking for Bottled Water.  You can arrange to have it sent there directly (Ron Parsons ATTN: Camp Second Helpin’; C/O Morrell Foundation 975 S. Beach Blvd. Waveland, MS 39576).  Although the water is currently deemed potable, they are taking no chances.  Also, you could give me Walmart gift cards and I’ll buy cases of water there with the gift cards when we arrive.

Camp Second Helpin’ was begun by a homeschool family.  They were inspired by the New Waveland Café which has since closed down (http://www.newwavelandcafe.blogspot.com/).  Read their blog (which is not current since internet access is not available except at the library – sounds like some bureaucratic glitch has happened because there was access at one point – and they are so busy no one has time to get to the library to do updates). They are at http://remareinforcements.blogspot.com/ and are a registered non-profit in MS. 
 
To make monetary donations:
Paypal to webmaster@web-publishing.org ATTN: Camp Second Helpin’
Paypal to gregporter@godskatrinakitchen.org for God’s Katrina Kitchen

God’s Katrina Kitchen is also looking for gift cards to Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Sears.  Those are easy for me to bring down.
 
We are bringing our sleeping bags.  The settings are described as “rustic.”  Cold showers, but plumbing – lol!  Apparently, people are coming and volunteering and expecting more.  Having been in Haiti – we can make this work. We were in Belize at the end of last August and if we can get through that heat and humidity, we can do this, too.  No, it won’t be all comfortable – but neither is it for the people who live there 24/7. 
 
Thank you for considering my request for funding for the organizations we are going to serve and for sponsoring our volunteer trip to the Gulf Coast. 

Most important, consider contacting your Congressional representatives (http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/) to urge them to not forget the Gulf Coast.  We reach out to the needy overseas – we can take care of our own backyard, too.