Bring hope back to Pearlington, Mississippi

    November 12, 2006

    The latest news from Angela Cole:
    Dear All,
     
    If you're reading this email, then at some point over the past year, you have shown an interest in helping the people of Pearlington, Mississippi. (If you would like to be removed from this mailing list, please respond to this email with "Remove" in the subject line and your name will be deleted immediately.) Perhaps, you're one of the original supporters from Newnan, GA who helped load food, water, and blankets onto the many 50' tractor trailers you sent to my attention in Pearlington during those early, grim days immediately following Hurricane Katrina. Maybe, you're one of many family members from California, Illinois, New York and points in between who have directly supported Pearlington families with your donations of food and clothing throughout the past year. Or, perhaps, you have received this email because someone who cares about the forgotten people of Pearlington wants you to meet them as well and become part of something very special. Whatever the reason, thank you for your support and your continued caring. We've got one last, critical job to do in Pearlington; and, one last time, I need your help.
     
    One year after Hurricane Katrina literally washed the rural, unincorporated community of Pearlington, Mississippi off the map, roughly 800 citizens are trying to recover their homes and lives. Ineligible for most federal and state aide (since Pearlington is not an official city or town), its people remain in many ways as forgotten today as they were 1 year ago. The survival issues are different to be sure. Today, the lights once again burn and phone lines carry calls of support from those of us out "in the world," a world that has largely moved-on and forgotten that the worst disaster in US history devastated not simply a few structures but every school, church, store, and home in Pearlington. After living most of the past year shoulder-to-shoulder with massive piles of debris, homeowners now let their gazes wander over empty lots. Having lost literally everything and with no insurers covering those losses, mothers such as Denise wonder where her 4 children will sleep when FEMA comes to reclaim their emergency housing campers at the end of February 2007 - only 3 months from now (and they are coming according to FEMA officials.) Mr. Ike, the 78 year-old veteran of two wars, tries to ready his little storage shed (built by volunteers) in case he has to live there in the dead of winter. Mr. Cook, elderly and sick with emphysema and heart disease, spends his days sitting in the shell of his house that random church groups have gutted and rehabbed, but have never returned to finish. He waits silently and recalls the years he spent in that house with his wife, who never recovered from the shock of Katrina and died earlier this year.
     
    Some of you may feel these stories are too "dramatic" or overstated; yet, they are not. There is no need to embellish when describing the people of Pearlington one year later. I would invite you, though, not to take my word for it, but see for yourself. CNN has now covered the situation in Pearlington with me in 4 segments, including the latest update at the 1-year anniversary. You may view all 4 CNN segments as well as read a CNN.COM anniversary article in the Media Section of the Foundation website, www.pearlingtonproject.org. Additionally, you may click-on the link below and you will be taken directly to my latest online photo album. You do not need to sign-in. Simply click-on "Play" and the slideshow will begin. You will see photos of Pearlington and its people taken at the 1-year post-Katrina mark.
     
     
    The critical need now is for permanent housing. As many of you know, I have taken my work in Pearlington to a new level in order to finish the job there. This summer, when I realized major relief organizations were gone, including those that would normally rebuild houses after a disaster, I formed The Pearlington Project Katrina Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The mission is simple: to rebuild homes in Pearlington, MS for those families with children and the elderly who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina. While random church groups have started houses in the area, very few have actually been completed. Some have been sitting on foundations and frames, exposed to the elements, for 8 months or more. And, for the families you have come to know over the past year from my work in Pearlington - Yvette, Toby, Brittany, and Michael Earl; Denise and her children, Destin, Lisa, Darrian, and Carrie; frail elderly Mr. Ike, to name a few - no group has come to help them. They remain the forgotten of the forgotten.
     
    As a fellow human being and a fellow American citizen, I can not simply accept that these families will remain forgotten - and, ultimately, homeless. They are our brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers; and, they deserve better. So, I have a plan, a plan that will only succeed with your help. That plan is to stage a "blitz build" of 4 homes in Pearlington the week of February 4-11, 2007. "Blitz building" is a proven technique in which skilled volunteers construct homes in a short period of time. My team leader for this project, Rich Taylor, is an experienced volunteer house builder, having held leadership positions in many "blitz builds" around the country. With the help of skilled construction volunteers, we will frame the walls and roofs in Dutchess County, New York in late January. Simultaneous to that process, skilled volunteers will be in Pearlington pouring the foundations. Then, the first week in February, we will start, finish, and furnish 4 homes for the following families:
     
    - Denise and her children, Destin, Lisa, Darrian, and Carrie
    - Yvette and Toby Earl and their children, Brittany and Michael
    - Elderly Mr. Ike
    - Linda, a disabled grandmother
     
    We have the leadership; the plan; and the volunteers. All we need is the funding - only $150,000 to cover the cost of materials with all volunteer labor to house 7 children and 5 adults. You and I can prevent homelessness for 7 children and 5 adults for less than $200,000. And, we can send a message to other groups who start, but never complete, houses that the job can be finished. To raise these funds, I have appealed to foundations large and small and have received the same answer time and time again - Pearlington is too small and too narrow a focus for them. Yet, it is not too small for The Pearlington Project Katrina Foundation. We completed our first project last month. We finished the home of Sandy and Michael Shaw. Five generations of Sandy's family have lived in that home. During Hurricane Katrina, the water rose to the attic and destroyed everything. So, for the past year, Sandy and Michael - on their own - quietly and methodically - did what they could. Their strategy was simple: pay a bill one week; buy a board the next. Late this summer and heartbreakingly close to finishing, they ran-out of funds. I and skilled construction volunteers went to Pearlington last month and finished and furnished the Shaw home. Sandy and I were standing in the living room as her new furniture was delivered. Normally stoic and reserved, she suddenly burst into tears. I put my arm around her, squeezed her shoulder; and, she said, "Angela, I just never believed we'd get home again." I talked with Sandy just last week. She has yet to sleep through the night because she still can't believe she's really home. In a little over a week from now, Sandy will cook Thanksgiving dinner for her immediate and extended family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, and her own children will be one of the few families in Pearlington with a real house in which to celebrate Thanksgiving.
     
    The Pearlington Project Katrina Foundation can bring more families home but only with your help. There are roughly 200 of you who received this email. If each one of you make a tax-deductible donation of only $100 to the Foundation and then send this email to at least 5 of your friends and colleagues and ask them to do the same, we will have $100,000 of the $150,000 needed. It is that simple and that doable. If you can donate more, I respectfully ask that you consider doing so. If you alone can not donate $100, I would ask that you please do what you can. Perhaps, your employer, school, church, or gym will help. Donate online at www.pearlingtonproject.org or via regular mail at the address given at the top of this email.
     
    A good bit of media attention has been given to the man from Canada who ultimately traded-up a red paperclip for a house. He achieved that goal through constant networking via the power of the internet and sheer tenacity. If one guy without an existing email network could do all that and get one house, imagine what we can do starting with a network of 200. Time is short; we've got to place a deposit for building materials by the end of December in order to house families by the end of February when FEMA comes to reclaim their emergency housing campers. I and the people of Pearlington are counting on you for one last push. Together, we can bring the people of Pearlington the rest of the way home.
     
    In Peace and Justice,
     
    Angela J. Cole, MPH, RN
    President
     
    The Pearlington Project Katrina Foundation, Inc.
    PO Box 127
    Rhinebeck, NY 12572
     

    August 28th, 2006

    Dear Friends,

    Thank you for your continued interest in the people of Pearlington, Mississippi one year after the worst disaster in US history literally wiped their community off the map. As you know and due to media attention, volunteers have done much to bring resources to this rural hamlet. And, yet, as I have written previously, in the absence of a plan and without coordination, families still fall through the cracks. And, that is why I have taken the next step with my work in Pearlington. After a year of connecting many of you directly with families and individuals in Pearlington for sponsorhsip, I feel I have done as much as I can as one person. The deadline for occupancy of a FEMA emergency housing camper will hit in a short 6 months from now; and, so many in Pearlington still have no form of permanent housing. While we can all hope that FEMA will do the right thing and extend the deadline, it is as CNN's Anderson Cooper has often stated, "Hope is not a plan."

    He is right. Therefore, I formulated my own plan and incorporated my work into The Pearlington Project Katrina Foundation, Inc. The Pearlington Project Katrina Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the funding of permanent housing for those in Pearlington, MS who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina. As a nonprofit corporation, ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE AND PAYABLE TO THE PEARLINGTON PROJECT KATRINA FOUNDATION, INC. (For those of you who have followed my work this past year, you know this is a significant change in status.) Experienced, volunteer house builder Rich Taylor of Poughkeepsie, NY is standing ready as Team Leader on our initial builds. We have volunteers ready to raise their hammers just as soon as enough funds are raised. My goal is to get families with children and the elderly housed in advance of that Feb. 28,'07 FEMA deadline. I firmly believe this is doable because of you and because of those whom you know. Support for the Foundation is already growing. NY Times best-selling author and National Book Award Finalist Dorothy Allison has joined our Board of Directors along with a talented and diverse group of professionals. We are honored to have Ms. Allison as part of this team.

    Local and national publicity is growing as well. For those of you in the Hudson Valley region of NY state, tomorrow (August 29th), The Poughkeepsie Journal will run an article about the work in Pearlington this past year and the Foundation. Rose Arce, Senior Producer at CNN has written a wonderful article on the same topic for CNN.COM. It is posted at http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/28/arce.pearlington/index.html. People are already emailing me about Rose's story. There are not enough words to thank Rose Arce and CNN for their unwavering support this past year and for continuing to tell this story. On that note, CNN again journeyed to Pearlington last week and filmed the 4th segment on Denise Swanson and her children at the 1-year post-Katrina mark. The segment will air at some point this week on "American Morning" with Soledad O'Brien. "American Morning" airs from 6:00 AM - 10:00 EST daily. Unfortunately, due to a very tight progamming schedule this week, I am not yet certain when the segment will air. As soon as I know, I will send another email.

    So, once again, I thank you for all you have done to help the people of Pearlington through undoubtedly, the most difficult year of their lives. Progress has been made; however, I must ask you not to turn away for the work is not done. I know that, with your help, we can finish the job and literally bring the people of Pearlington the rest of the way home. Please see below for contact and donation information. And, please stay tuned for information on future fundraisers to be held in New York.

    Continuing in Peace and Justice until the job is done,

    Angela Cole

    President

    The Pearlington Project Katrina Foundation, Inc.

    PO Box 127

    Rhinebeck, NY 12572

    August 21, 2006

    For the past year, so many of you have journeyed with me to the tiny, rural hamlet of Pearlington, Mississippi. Together, we have witnessed the abject suffering of our own people forgotten by those with the power to change their plight. And, so, together we have done what we could do. While many of you could not travel to Pearlington with me, you made certain that when I made the trip, I was fully supplied with food, clothing, and gift cards. There are not words strong enough to convey the deep gratitude of the people of Pearlington for the tangible evidence of your caring. And, there are not words strong enough to convey my deep gratitude for your thoughts and prayers.

    I am returning to be with the people of Pearlington on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. And, thankfully, once again CNN is returning with me. While the media attention has brought relief workers to the area, in the absence of a plan, there are gaping holes relative to who-gets-what. Some have houses now; but, most still do not. There are those whose ruined houses have yet to be demolished, let alone removed. And, at the end of February 2007, a mere 6 months from now, FEMA will come to reclaim the only shelter these people have. For, according to their rules, one can only occupy a FEMA trailer for 18 months , a time period that begins not on the day you actually take-up occupancy in the trailer, but on the day of the disaster. So, even though the vast majority of citizens in Pearlington slept on the ground in soggy tents for some 6 months after Hurricane Katrina, according to the rules of FEMA, occupancy started on August 29, 2006.

    The names and faces you have come to know over this past year, Mamma Sams; Toby, Yvette, Brittany, and Michael; Denise, Lisa, Destin, Darrien, and Carrie; Mr. Ike – a 2-war veteran; and so many others are facing yet another devastating loss if we do not act. And, that is why I have made the decision to take the work of The Pearlington Project to the next level. I have been invited to join Soledad O'Brien during her live coverage of the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on August 29th. On her show, American Morning and following the airing of the next Pearlington segment, I will announce the next steps for The Pearlington Project and the new ways in which any citizen can be involved. While American Morning normally airs from 6:00 to 10:00 AM EST, there may be an extended edition on the 29th. Of course, the show's programming is dependent upon news events; but, as of now, the next Pearlington segment followed by a live interview is planned. When I know a timeframe for the segment, I will send another email. (If anyone would like to be removed from this email list, please let me know and I will do so.) I hope you will watch CNN on the morning of the 29th.

    While so much of this past year has been a journey of justice for the forgotten people of Pearlington, it has also been one of hope, a hope that I can not let go until, together, we have truly done all we can to restore dignity and community to those who deserve no less.

    Continuing in Peace and Justice,

    Angela J. Cole, MPH, RN

    May 17, 2006

    I got this comment from Elisabeth on my regular blog:

    Hi, there-I'm from Minnesota and went on a week-long trip to Mississippi at the end of March. There were groups of people from our community going down for one week at a time for the whole month of March and now they are sending one team down for a week every month for as long as we can-so far there are trips scheduled until December. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know where I was and what we did down there. Our team went down to a camp based about a half an hour away from Pearlington in the Waveland/Bay St. Louis area. The week I was there we went to Pearlington to help a man take apart his house and build a new one. Up until the time we got there, he had been taking his former home apart piece by piece and using whatever he could to build a new home. Much of what was left of his home was rotting away. We did a lot of smelly work, and a lot of good work. We got his house taken down pretty much in one day (40 of us were at his house working nonstop), cleaned up his yard a bit and started taking nails out of boards. Another group was able to be there for the rest of the week (they were a bit more skilled than me) and were pretty well able to help this man get his home framed in. We did a lot of work like that at different places in that week. There is still a lot left to do, but if people are willing to take just a week of there time to help out-or more-so much can get done. You should have seen the look on people's faces as we worked on their homes. They were so grateful for the help. One last thing, if you don't realize how much small hand made items can mean to a family, we gave a handmade quilt to evyone that we worked with. For people who have lost eveything, including precious heirlooms made by grandparents and all, just having one precious item to help feel like you can start over is a big help. So many people feel lost and hopeless like they don't even know how to start over, those little and precious gifts mean the world to them. If you want to know about some other ways to help another website you can check out is www.mnkatrinarelief.org Thank you in advance for any help that you can give. Thanks for what you are doing Denise!

    Going down to The Gulf Coast has been a life-changing experience for many people in my area. In fact, one of our area Pastors has taken a one year leave of absence to go down to Louisiana and work as some kind of contractor in charge of helping people rebiuld their homes.

    Elisabeth

    It;s really nice to hear from people who have been there! And as she says keep it up! So pretty soon we will work out a summer campaign to help keep things cool and keep the caring headed to those in need!

    May 16,2006

    Angela's latest update:

    Thank you all for your continued interest in the situation in Pearlington, Mississippi. I was just there again last month and there remains much to be done., There is still no grocery store, no Post Office- no infastructure. However, due to press coverage, there are many volunteers doing what they can. Yet, families continue to fall through the cracks in the absence of any formal plan for Pearlington. So the people-  with the help of random volunteers- continue to fend for themselves almost 9 months after the wost disaster to hit IS soil.

    There are serious environmental concerns that remain, including concerns regarding the soil in chich children plan and the water which they drink. CNN joined me in Pearlington last month to address many environmental concerns. They taped 2 segments, one of which aired yesterday morning on american Morning with Soledad O'brien. Given the quickly changing news cycle, I was not even aware of the air day and time until after it was shown. (I will soon have it loaded onto my website.) However tonight (May 16) on anderson Cooper 360, the Pearlington segment will re-air along with the other environmental segment which CNN filmed. "AC 360" is shown on CNN at 10:00PM EST. Please watch and spread the word that the Gulf Coast is not OK. The people of Pearlington and so many other ppor, rural, overlooked communities need as much of our support 9 months after the fact as they did 9 weeks after.

    Continuing in Peace and Justice,

    Angela

    Angela J. Cole, MPH, RN

    http://www.pearlingtonproject.org

    April 20, 2006

    A little over a month since my last update. Things have changed little. CNN American Morning, and in particular Soledad O'Brien continue to put forth the plight of the people in Pearlington, MS and other small towns and communities on th Gulf coast that were effected by Katrina. I met Soledad last night at a talk she gave at Akron University. She is genuninely concerned for the people she reports about, she is so down to earth and grounded and real. I was very impressed. I got the chance to speak to her very briefly after the talk and she said that they had been down to Pearlington over Easter to film the kids doing their Easter egg hunt there amongst the rubble.. and that nasty green putrid water.

    Yep. it's still there unchanged seven months later. She didn't know for sure when the story will air, some time in the next week or so. So please check back for updates on that.

    If you are working on getting care kits down to Pearlington, or can help financially to help please check the contacts page on how to send that help!

    And again, thank you so much everyone who has send care kits, everyone who has made donations to the Pearlington project, and to those like Soledad in the media who continue to get the story out there despite the 'Katrina fatigue' that is out there. Keep it up! You ALL are making a difference!

    March 12, 2006

    Angela has set up a system whereby she can match you up with a specific family in Pearlington that needs help and supplies. Please see the contact page at her new site The Pearlington Project or contact her by email via the contact page here and ask for the information on a family that you can 'adopt' and help. The same things are needed: non perishable foods, and even small knitted household items like washclothes, disclothes placemats and the like. I would also like to start phasing out blankets as the weather is heating up rapidly and the need for them declines. As the weather warms up it would be more appropriate to send other items, perhaps knit cotton hats with brims to keep off the sun, or even knit hackey sacks or jumpropes that the kids can use to play out doors.

    Please continue with me in helping those who are still very much effected by the devistation of Hurricane Katrina!

    Thank you!

    March 2, 2006

    When I went to church last night to pick up the kids from kid's club I grabbed the March/April copy of Alive Now which is a sort of devotional book. It has some stories and poems in the first half which you refer to in the daily reading in the second half. As I leafed through it there was a poem by Stephen Crane that caught my eye.

    The Wayfarer

    By Stephen Crane

     

    The wayfarer,

    Perceiving the pathway to the truth,

    Was struck with astonishment.

    It was thickly grown with weeds.

    "Ha," he said,

    "I see that no one has passed here

    In a long time."

    Later he saw that each weed

    Was a singular knife.

    "Well," he mumbled at last,

    "Doubtless there are other roads."

    I am really not a fan of Stephen Crane. But this sure is powerful. It made me think of all the things I was reading on Angela's new Pearlington Project site. how she is searching for the truth and trying to help. And being met with 'knives' at every step.

    Thanks Angela.. for pushing through and helping, despite the odds.

    Please go read for yourself what Angela has gone through to help the people who have been effected by Katrina in this little town

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     February 28,2006

    The broad cast of the CNN update was changed to March 1st Please watch for it! Here is the latest note from Angela:

    Dear All,

    I wanted to update you on the latest CNN segment related to Pearlington, MS. A brief segment aired today; but, I am told that the longer version will most likely air tomorrow morning. Soledad O'Brien will anchor "American Morning" from Mississippi tomorrow. The show runs from 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM EST. For those of you who wanted to see the segment, but may have missed it, no worries. You may view this and all previous media coverage by visiting my new website at www.pearlingtonproject.org. On this site, you will find all my email updates (from the beginning), photo albums, media coverage, and, most importantly, how you can help.

    Please feel free to forward the "Pearlington Project" website address to anyone you know who might be able to help. As always, thank you for your continued interest and support of the people of Pearlington.

    In Peace and Justice,

    Angela J. Cole, MPH, RN

    If you visit her site there are current pictures of the Pearlington area.

    More later!

    February 22, 2006

    I recieved the note below from Angela this morning. The news is grim. It looks like the distribution center will be closing down soon. If you have kits ready, or are getting them ready please do continue to send them to the adresses listed on the contacts page. I will update them as needed. If anyone has contacts that can help with debris removal, or housing please contact Angela and get her in touch with them. Thanks!

    Dear All,

    Greetings once more from Pearlington, Mississippi, the tiny hamlet that was virtually wiped off the map on August 29, 2005. Approximately 700 of the 1,700 residents that called Pearlington home prior to Hurricane Katrina have returned to try and scratch-out an existence in the thick, black, toxic muck. My choice of words is deliberate. They are not "rebuilding" for the government responsible for these citizens has revealed no plan for restoring the infrastructure - the framework - around which their community and their lives were built before. No childrens' hurried footsteps reveberate throughout the moldy, buckled hallways of the little school as they try to make-it to class on time. Instead, there is the sound of the big, yellow bus as it pulls from the yard of the ruined school every day to take the children an hour from their homes to Kiln, MS to school. When they return from school late in the afternoon, they can not run to the corner grocery store to buy a Coke or a bag of M&Ms; their parents can not stock their tiny FEMA trailer refrigerators with milk or eggs. Where the two general stores once stood are still two piles of moldly debris. In Pearlington, MS - some 6 months after Hurricane Katrina made her presence known for eternity - not one store, school, bank, or gas station is in the process of returning. And, so, the people of Pearlington live their lives in limbo, not knowing when - or even if - their tiny community will return.

    While they wait, the seasons come and go and the colors of the day shift. The putrid, standing water of 6 months ago has turned from a murkish brown to an almost fluorescent green. The piles of debris have turned from a soggy grey to a hardened black; and the hard, grey dirt has deepened into a thick, slick, oily black-ice. And, the smell of raw sewage pemiates the outside air and the inside water flowing from many of the faucets. Old, ruined homes almost lean against tiny FEMA trailers - the plots too small to handle both the old house and the new travel trailer. So, the view from all sides is destruction and decay. Four, five, sometimes more people exist in these trailers. While the government is glaringly absent, the volunteers are not. Due to recent media attention, many have found their way to Pearlington. Each group, religious or secular, has its specific mission. One builds wooden storage sheds so people can store their clothing and other belongings (there is no closet or storage space in a FEMA trailer); another builds 1-bedroom bungalow cottages; another bull-dozes ruined houses. It sounds great and the dedication of these volunteers is real. However, there is no coordination among the hundreds of well-meaning, but un-guided worker bees buzzing around Pearlington. The 1-bedroom bungalows are barely bigger than the FEMA trailers and are not a solution for families. They are yet another temporary stop-over on the way to a destination as yet unknown. The bulldozers lumbering down the narrow, 2-lane roads are imposing and the mountains of wood and metal they leave behind are impressive; yet, they do not have the capacity to move those very mountains beyond the edge of the yard. And, so, they litter the landscape with remnants of former shelter - of former hope.

    Hope is hard to come-by these days in Pearlington, MS. That's not to say that folks have stopped functioning. It's worse than that. They have started accepting this way of life as all they can expect - as all they deserve. A quiet resolution has set-in. Those with little wooden storage sheds have begun to fill them with donated clothes and even donated washers and dryers. They have taken the tents that housed them for 3 months or more and converted them into dining and family rooms as though this is just how normal families live. The dancing flames of bonfires dot the landscape each evening as families and neighbors gather for company and warmth - outside, for the FEMA trailers are too tiny for a family dinner or gathering. People talk about the necessity of staying outside as much as possible to avoid the "walls closing-in." The Red Cross is gone now; no more meals are served. The "Distribution Center" is about to close. Corrupt though it was, it was a symbol of something tangible in terms of relief. When the Red Cross was pulling-out, the representative was asked why they were leaving. His response was, as follows: "Well, pretty much everyone has their FEMA trailers now, so they can cook for themselves." There are very, very few jobs in Hancock County at all. The heat and stove in the FEMA trailers are powered by propane tanks. It costs approximately $22 to re-fill a tank. Families are running-through 2-4 tanks per week to feed their children and keep them warm. Conservatively, that's almost $200/month for propane alone. That does not even factor-in electricity or food or other basic supplies. Yes, there is a stove in each and every FEMA trailer; but, you must be able to afford the propane to power it and food to put in it. Many of the elderly just go without.

    While no longer "forgotten" by the outside world, the people of Pearlington remain completely abandoned by anyone in authority who could make a plan or give them answers. And, so, I and CNN press-on. The questions that hang over every day are quite simply: Why is Pearlington, MS being ignored? Why is there no plan in place for these people? If there is not going to be a plan, why are they not being told this and re-located appropriately? CNN is beginning to ask some hard questions and is committed to doing so until answers emerge. Please watch the 2nd CNN segment about Pearlington, MS on "American Morning" with Soledad O'Brien on Tuesday, Feb. 28th. The show runs from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST. I do not yet know the timeframe for the segment, but the last one ran in the 8:00 hour. For this one, Soledad O'Brien herself came to Pearlington. True to her word at the end of the Christmas piece, she came to do the follow-up.

    Yesterday, wonderful volunteers from Cincinnati drove down with a van loaded with food for the people of Pearlington. I went around to some of the FEMA trailers and asked folks what they needed. One woman looked at me and said, somewhat perplexed, "We don't need anything. You know, we can make do. Things aren't so dire anymore." Her moldy, ruined house is practically leaning-against her cramped FEMA "travel trailer;" her grandchildren play outside in the green, contaminated standing water; her donated washer and dryer can only be accessed by going outside and into a leaky, wooden shed; and she has to go 20 miles in any direction to even buy a carton of milk. She has lived, worked, and paid taxes in Pearlington for over 40 years; and yet, only 6 months after the worst disaster to hit the United States, she has resigned herself to a new normal of squalor and deprivation. On August 29th of 2005, her world shrank along with her expectations. And, that is why we must persist. We must hold those in authority accountable for their inaction; and, we must persist until we have answers on behalf of those who can not ask the questions for themselves. Those of us "out in the world" can not allow our expectations to shrink. We must hold the hope for those who are too weary to do so for themselves. We must and I know we will.

    Thank you for your continued interest in the people of Pearlington, MS. Photos will follow in the next couple of days; and, of course, you can see much of the conditions on CNN February 28th.

    Continuing in Peace and Justice,

    Angela J. Cole, MPH, RN

    February 20,2006

    Three years ago, a storm which the weathermen deemed not a tornado, swooped down upon our house. As I and my three young children huddled in the basement we heard the steady booming drumbeat of trees as they fell in our yard. We stood in what I hoped was the relative safety of our basement bathroom and prayed. By the grace of God only one tree hit the corner of our house and landed on our van. One out of thirty. We still have a few trees to clean up three years later.

    This is downtown Bay St. Louis, where your boxes of care kits are going.

    There is a long road ahead.

    This photo is from a CNN special that aired over the weekend.

    To make matters worse here, and along the whole gulf coast the insurance companies are balking at paying. " Many insurance companies are denying the claims of home owners, saying the damage was caused by flooding from the storm surge and not the 125 mph winds."

    I can tell you that wind.. even a short burst at that speed.. well it can do some damage..

    February 17,2006

    Angela should be on her way back to  Pearlington. Also on it's way there are a few care kits!

    Here is a picture of Michaele's box! It's so nice to hear from those who are sending them so please remember to leave a message in the guestbook if you send one out!

    Angela will be there at least till the 25th, so if you have a package ready to go or almost ready to go get it out! After that point you should send them to the Wilson's address and they will be taken to the distribution center. The need will be ongoing! So keep them coming, we will shift focus soon as warmer weather and rebuilding should hopefully start so the needs may be different! And thank you al for your help!

    Updates and more pictures as soon as I get them!

    February 7, 2006

    I wanted to share a note I just got from Jonelle at Southwest Trading Company.

    Denise,

    We are sending over a dozen hand knit blankets made with SWTC Karaoke
    SOYSILK yarns and some of the wonderful yarns from Knit One Crochet Two. We
    teamed with Local knitters after Katrina to make blankets and no one in the
    affected areas would take them. It was quite sad for us all.

    We all hope that the recipients feel the love that went into them.

    On behalf of the entire team and the fabulous local knitters who made it
    possible,

    Jonelle Raffino
    South West Trading Company

    Let's keep those packages coming! Remember the goal is to get as many as possible there by the 18th! If you are behind don't worry just keep sending them! I hope to keep supporting the residents in this town till they rebuild!

    February 6, 2006

    I just got an email from Angela so here is the latest news!

     I"ll be back down there over Presidents' Day weekend and staying the following week (roughly Feb. 17 through 25 - longer if needed.) I've been organizing relief efforts from my home - had a crew down there from GA this weekend hanging sheetrock in one of the very few homes that is still "structurally sound." Also, I think I've got a donation of a large backhoe coming down over the holiday weekend as well. So, things are happening. And, CNN is planning to do a follow-up story - should hear this week exactly when they will be there - I have stayed "on them" to keep this story alive!  :)

     Please tell folks to have their boxes/kits sent to arrive by Sat the 18th at the latest so I can distribute them to the neediest families (and show CNN what you did as a result of the Christmas story.)

    Alright let's get those looms, needles and crochet hooks going! I would love to have a big stack of boxes for CNN to see when they get there for their story! That will really help to get the word out on our efforts!

    I am sure that Kim would still love some help assembling blanket squares so please let her know if you can help!

    I tried to get the site registered on Lion Brand Charities list but there is already a group called Purls of Hope in NYC who stitch blankets for kids with HIV/AIDS so it looks like that is not going to work. So if you have a site please do put up a button or talk it up so we can get some help down there!!

    And thank you to everyone who has gotten care kits ready, and everyone who has expressed their encouragement in the guest book here!

    January 27,2006

    Get the word out!

    I want to thank Catherine of Knittin' Notes for the great graphic you see at the top of the page!

    She suprised me with this a few days ago and it couldn't be better!

    So let's get the word out! I would like to ask anyone who comes to this site to please steal a button and link to us! Even if you are unable to send a care kit this is a simple way you can help by getting the word out!

    Here are a couple buttons to choose from:

    As usual, please right click on the image of your choice and save it to your computer!

    Please if you have a website or a blog, post a link and help get the word out.

    Let's beat the goal of 50 care kits and bring hope to Pearlington!

    January 25, 2006

    I received an email from Angela today. She has a primary address for us to send care kits to.

    Angela Cole
    c/o Loudoun Medical Group
    Old Train Depot
    1928 Depot Way at Blaize Street
    Bay St. Louis, Miss. 39520
    Angela will distribute packages sent to this address directly to residents of Pearlington. This is so that supplies will get to people who are not getting to the  relief center. This is the primary address to send packages to.
    The address for the Wilson's is the secondary address.
    Packages sent to the Wilsons will go to the Pearlington relief center, so either will work to get the items to people in need.