John Stocks: post-Katrina update

John Stocks, a Wisconsinite with Gulf Coast roots, has kept us informed of his efforts to help family and friends in the New Orleans area, aided by the generosity of many. This is his report:

Lest we forget… Hurricane Katrina

The news media coverage has moved on but the impact of the storm on people’s lives still lingers….

STACEY AND JERALD

I spoke with Stacey yesterday. She was on the road with Jerald returning to Dallas after inspecting her home in New Orleans. Stacey and her three girls (Eboni, Brea and Kasey) shared a rented home with her mother Elouise in New Orleans East.

The home is a total loss. Stacey was able to salvage a clock off the wall and her daughter’s piggy bank. Everything else was contaminated by the flood waters. The stench was unbearable. Mold and mildew have taken over. A black film covered everything in sight. The car remains in the driveway ruined by the flood.

The roof of Jerald’s apartment blew off in the storm. He was able to salvage some clothes from a closet that was sheltered from the elements. His computer and CD’s were stolen.

Letters and packages to Stacey and Jerald can be sent to:

Stacey Casimir
2175 South Highway 121
Building K 1134
Lewisville, Texas 75067

EBONI, BREA AND KASEY

We flew Stacey from Dallas to Memphis to visit her daughters in Memphis for Eboni’s birthday. Here’s an email from her to all of you.

“The trip was wonderful. The kids were very excited to see me. For Eboni's birthday, we took them to "Kids Quest" which is something like "Chuck E Cheese". They really enjoyed themselves.

Thank you so much for everything.”

Stacey

Letters and packages can be sent to the girls:

Eboni, Brea and Kasey
c/o Brett Casimir
P.O. Box 1314
Cordova, Tennessee 38088

LOIS AND ELOUISE

Lois and Elouise are in Belle Rose, Louisiana living in the home of a cousin. They are actively looking for housing in the area. Housing is in short supply because of all the New Orleans residents living in the area. They hope to rent a place that is currently being remodeled by a family member. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

Elouise has still not received financial assistance from FEMA. With the help of one of you, we have engaged the office of Congressman Melachon to help navigate the bureaucracy. Elouise and Lois lost everything to the floodwaters.

Lois has applied for jobs with the school districts of Assumption and Ascension parishes. I am hopeful that she will find something soon.

Letters and packages can be sent to:

Lois Ewell Phipps and Elouise Ewell Fernandez
171 Highway 1003
Belle Rose, Louisiana 70341

COURTNEY AND VACHAUN

Courtney and Vachaun stayed in Jackson, Mississippi. According to Lois, they have moved into an apartment and Courtney is looking for work and a school for Vachaun. I will send an address along when I get one.

HENRIETTA, DEBBIE ANN, GERRARD, STEVE, PAULA, MARK, DORIS, SAMANTHA, BRODERICK

Henrietta et.al. have moved into a house in Mableton, Georgia. Debbie Ann is still looking for work in the Cobb County schools. Gerrard has found a job in a barber shop. These families lost everything to the floodwaters.

Letters and packages can be sent to:

Henrietta Brooks
102 Douglas Road
Mableton, Georgia 30126

ADAM, BECKY, JESSICA AND COURTNEY

Adam’s family is working hard to get back into their home in Slidell. Becky’s brother is just about completed the sheet rocking of the house. Adam thinks it will be a few more weeks before they can move back in. Adam and Becky wanted me to express my appreciation to all of you for helping them respond quickly and salvaging their home.

JOHN AND TIINA

My father and his wife are putting their lives back together in New Orleans. Their home sustained some roof and exterior damage but it is fixable. They continue to focus on their patients well-being.

OUR HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORT

To date our hurricane relief effort has collected a little over $40,000. A little over $37,000 has gone directly to members of the Ewell families to help them restart their lives (food, clothing, housing, transportation, trips to New Orleans, etc.) in new communities (Dallas, Memphis, Atlanta, Jackson and near Baton Rouge) across the southeastern United States.

The balance was used to purchase a generator, rent drying equipment and transport this equipment down to Louisiana to save my brother’s home in Slidell.

A LONG ROAD AHEAD

It has been a month and a half since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. The road to recovery for these families will be long but much less hard because of all you have done. May the Great Spirit bless your days….

If you know someone who would like to contribute to this effort, you can send contributions to:

John Stocks
5608 Chestnut Lane
McFarland, Wisconsin 53558