Bringing A Family Home
Help Us Rebuild Homes in the Katrina Disaster Area
We’ve been on the ground in Bay St. Louis, MS since the first week of Hurricane Katrina. Now, we are rebuilding 130 homes. These are some of the neediest situations – the elderly that had no where else to turn and families with young children that are living in small FEMA trailers. We will be there for another year and we’re in need of skilled volunteers and donations today.
On the average it cost $15,000 for us to repair a home with volunteer labor. We have depleted our funds to purchase material and are in need of financial donations to help bring a family home. You can help today by donating.
Rebuilding Hearts and Homes This Holiday
Geri Bleau and her son Jody know what rebuilding is all about. Katrina's storm surge of
41.5 foot brought over 10 foot of water into their home destroying
everything and sending the refrigerator through the ceiling. Jody was active in
search and rescue as a police officer. Geri joined the team by providing food for
people at a soup kitchen in the parking lot of a grocery store. Difficult circumstances
are not new to this family. Geri's husband Gill is in a wheel chair and suffers from a
terminal heart condition. Lizzie her 22 year old autistic daughter has suffered
greatly with all the changes in the family and daily routine since Katrina.
CityTeam began helping the family in November. By February as mold enveloped the house, teams of volunteers helped the
family by gutting and cleaning out the house in preparation for rebuilding. Since that time many volunteers have had the
opportunity to meet this family whose strength and stamina have been an encouragement to everyone. Jody and his wife Beth had
wanted a "regular" wedding, however those plans washed out to sea with the debris. Geri has always said, "CityTeam isn’t
rebuilding our house, all of you are rebuilding our hearts. Heart rebuilding included a wonderful wedding celebration on
October 27th, complete with all the trimmings. A group of supporters from CityTeam Chester, PA region financially sponsored
the entire event from gowns, flowers, music, right down to the jumbalaya.
The family has now resettled back in their home and looking forward to the "New Normal" with hopeful hearts and gratitude.
Thanks CityTeam volunteers, because of you another Bay St Louis family is safe and warm this holiday season.
