Hi everyone - This is my last post. I'm heading home in the morning. One last trip to Waveland, MS and continue on to Baton Rouge to pick the animals for the long trip home. Although I've been here two full weeks, time has flown by. I feel so good that in some small way we have been a help to people when they most needed it. None of this would have been possible without the love and support of all of you. At the risk of sounding like an acceptance speech at the Academy Awards, I'd like to give special "attaboys" and "attagirls" to:

Ed Booth - Without his caring and inititive- where would we be? Who says one person can't make a difference?

Judy and Randy Hausner - they've had company for four straight weeks now. They have been so generous and welcoming. Judy is a shopper extraordinare. She enabled us to purchase so many clothes, linens, and backpacks at a reasonable price that we were able to help so many more. Even though Randy is a not a Red Sox fan, we shared alot of great evenings together. Without their support and encouragement, I'd still be sitting in Newport wondering how I could help.

Karen Barnes - Karen mobillized support with her initial letter, emails, and phone calls. So many people received help becauseof her willingness to keep the home fires burning and take care of all the necessary mundane tasks. Thanks so much and all my love!

Southwest Airlines - Their policy that allowed Ed and I to split a round trip ticket was a key that helped everything fall into place.

To everyone who posted a note, made a phone call or sent a check - All our thanks. Just to know that you all cared so much, made every day a joyous one.

There is so much that needs to be done before the people of the gulf are whole again. The process will take years. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.

I look forward to being home with you all in a few days. Signing off- Wayne

Another hard day for Wayne.  He couldn't sleep last night because he was worried about the people in Waveland, MS.  He heard yesterday that they were hard hit and needed supplies so he was at Wal Mart this morning at 5:00 loading up with bleach and laundry detergent.  Wayne was told when he arrived in Waveland that FEMA and the American Red Cross hadn't arrived yet and that all the help they had received so far was from individuals like himself.  Go Wayne!! 

He returned to Pensacola about 1:00 p.m. and we hopped in the truck and went to Wal Mart where we bought 200 pkgs. of loose leaf notebook paper, 200 boxes of colored pencils and 100 boxes of crayons.  They ran out of crayons.  We drove to Milton and dropped those off where we had taken the 150 book bags.  We were going to buy another 50 book bags, but simply ran out of time today.  We had to go to another Wal Mart and buy 100 gallons of bleach, 100 gallons of laundry detergent, 31 buckets, many mops and 2 cases of Pine Sol so he would be ready for tomorrow's run.  We had 5 shopping carts full and the back of Ed's truck, along with the back seat were packed. 

His plan for tomorrow is to leave here at 5:00 a.m., drive to Waveland and drop off his load, drive back to Mobile and see if he can find another Wal Mart open to buy more bleach, laundry detergent, buckets and mops and drop off a second load.  Then he'll drive back to here with hopes that our Wal Mart's have re-stocked so he can load up for his final run on Sat. a.m.  He will load up with more bleach, etc. and drop that off before he finds a veterinary hospital where he is supposed to pick up the 2 dogs and 3 cats.  Once that is accomplished, he will begin his long trip back up north and I will be going through withdrawal.  It's been great having him here and we shall miss him.  God's speed cousin Wayne.

Thanks once again to all of you who made these experiences possible.

Love, Judy   

Hi everyone.  I finally get a turn to post!

I'd like to share with all of you just how wonderful people can be in times of a disaster.  We were asked to buy toys, books, board games and book bags with a donation from children in Jamestown, RI.  We fulfilled the request yesterday after buying 60 book bags at Penneys.  We had already purchased all the toys, etc.  Wayne delivered everything this morning to a very appreciative group.  They took Wayne's picture with the mayor and told him he would be in the newspaper.  Wayne then came to Penneys and said "We need more book bags".  He left and came back to the house to get Emily and Alyson off the bus and I stayed to buy 90 more book bags.  While I was unloading armsfull of book bags at the register, a woman was there and asked the cashier why I was buying so many.  The cashier told her they were going to all the evacuated children that were now living in Pensacola.  A couple minutes later, the woman came over to me and said "I'd like to help you with this".  She handed me a check that I didn't open until after she'd left.  She donated a considerable amount.  I thanked her and quickly jotted down the web address so she could see what we have been doing the last month.  I can't tell you how you, Carol, touched my heart.  Thank you so very much for your generosity, but most of all for your kindness and thoughtfulness.  Your donation will bring smiles to so many people.

Since I'm doing the posting tonight, I'd like say "Thanks again!" to all of you who have made monetary contributions.  Without each and everyone one of you, our venture would not be possible.  You have touched so many lives.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

A special thanks to my wonderful, talented nephew, Donald, for setting up this website.  You've made it easy for us to share our stories.

Wayne is trying to decide when to leave.  He picked up half a truck full of donations after dropping off the book bags.  Since he still has money to spend and there is so much need, he doesn't feel he should return to RI just yet.  He has promised to pick up 2 dogs and 3 cats in Baton Rouge and take them to Mass. where their owner is now living.  He learned today that Waveland, MS is in tremendous need.  He'll be driving there tomorrow to make a list of needed items.

Well, I have another big shopping day tomorrow so I'll sign off for now.  God bless you all.

Love, Judy        

I bet many of you remember the section of the Readers Digest that was called a most unforgettable character. Well I would like to share a story of not just one person but a group of five men I recently met.

I was heading out with a pickup load of groceries, mostly canned goods that Judy had hauled from the shelves of Sams Club. The flatbed cart we were using was so heavy that it was tough to push through the aisles. Still Judy loaded on more stuff. Somehow she has a sense of just how much the pickup can hold before the tires go flat. Hurricane Rita had come ashore the day before, but the weather was improving with only bands of tropical downpours and then sunshine. I arrived safely at a small church in Gauthier, MS where they were getting low on food supplies. We hardly unloaded all the stuff, when it started heading out the door. It felt good to be a help.

Another Methodist church about twenty miles away had work crews coming to help out for the weekend. I had asked if I could lend a hand. They readily agreed and I was assigned to a crew of five younger men from a church in Rome, Georgia. I noticed them as they prayed before their meal although they appeared tired and sweaty. I walked over to introduce myself and told them where I was from and soon they were referring to me as Brother Wayne from Rhode Island.

We jumped into the church van to finish working on a house they had begun clearing for a Vietnamese parishioner. We were working steadily removing soggy sheetrock and soaked insulation. We passed debris through windows to be hauled to the street. We worked together and worked hard and pretty soon we were all sweating and soaked. In a little more than an hour everything was finished (they had worked all there morning). We took some pictures and had a prayer circle and received some heartfelt thank yous and we were off to the next house.

We arrived in a neighborhood where the houses were intact but had been under four feet of ocean water. Before we got started, we held hands and prayed and sang. The prayer was led by one man (usually Brother Aaron or Brother Lemuel), but all vocally joined in adding their praises to the circle. Then Brother Mark or another would begin a gospel song praising Jesus or singing another about having Jesus in your heart or another about being thankful for having Jesus in your life to guide you. I bowed my head and held their hands but I couldnt help thinking of the scene when a familys home has been devastated and rebuilding seems overwhelming and suddenly a white church van pulls up and six burly sweating men get out and begin singing and praying and go cheerfully into your damaged home and begin to rip down sheetrock and insulation and haul out appliances still filled with polluted water.

They remove all the kitchen cupboards and carry out the damp and smelly furniture. It must feel like a miracle! The men break into Amazing Grace and Hallelujah and the noise of hammering and crashing objects are the first sounds of hope. We worked steadily until about 5:30 or so and had another prayer and said goodbye until the morning. I for one was completely soaked even down to my socks and underwear. We all smelled pretty bad- so bad that the smell might be compared to an old raunchy billy goat. Unfortunately the van was taking on our odor and we were reminded of the Seinfeld episode where the smell from the mechanic never came out of Jerrys car.

We arrived back at the church for a hot shower and a home cooked meal. Being from Georgia, where football and religion go hand in hand, several people were desperate to see the Georgia Bulldogs game against Mississippi State. I made the mistake of asking if anyone might also be  a Georgia Tech fan but no one felt the question was  even worthy of a response. Fortunately we found a TV and the night was a success when their beloved Georgia Bulldogs were victorious.

The next morning we were up by 6AM and had a quick breakfast and off to the job site. They wanted to get the job done and be back for church services at 10AM. Again a prayer circle, with song were observed in the driveway with all joining in with their own praise. One song had six to eight verses and were all rocking gently- feeling the spirit. Back to work continuing a difficult job.

Damp sheetrock crumbles in your hand, water drips from the insulation and everything is damp and moldy. We work until 9:30 and when were done, the former contents of the house are in a pile in the front yard. Looking inside the house, all you see is bare studs. Yet somehow this is a sign of hope. Its a beginning on the road to rebuilding one families life! We were thinking that it took six men at least five hours to strip a house. If there are 100,000 houses that need the same work, well need 600,000 volunteers just to begin the process of rebuilding. Amazing!

The truly amazing part of this story was that a group of men happily spent their weekend driving 300 miles each way to help others in need. They did this happily and joyfully and considered it a blessing to be able to do this work. They sang and they worshipped and they enjoyed each others company. They brought hope, caring and a smile to those who needed it most.

They are genuinely unforgettable characters.

Hi to everyone,

Had a very productive weekend working with a crew of men from Rome, GA. helping families haul out moldy sheetrock, dripping insulation, etc. Have been trying to post a story about the experience and have lost it twice now. Will try again. Purchased toys from the funds raised by the Jamestown students. Will be delivering them shortly.

Will keep you posted. Thanks again for all your support. It really makes a difference!

Wayne

Hi,

Just a quick update. Have been traveling back and forth to Gauthier, MS the last two days. Taking supplies to distribution areas. Funny how the need is getting to be diapers, deordorant, canned goods. Judy and I worked all day yesterday filling cars full of needed supplies. The line never ended and we got really tired, but it was great to be helping.

The focus of relief is shifting to the west where Rita is projected to hit. Hopefully the Katrina victims will not be forgotten. This area of the Gulf is home to alot of poor people who didn't have much to begin with. Now they have even less. They will need our help for YEARS! One lady told us she was homeless before the storm, so she didn't lose too much!

Because of Rita, Judy and I are going to the local school to help sort donations. Later we'll head to Sam's Club to get another pickup full of supplies. Had hoped to work with a local church group hauling out moldy sheetrock, etc. The ride through Mobile, AL may be difficult with high winds and possible flooding. Such a "fluid " situation!

Every post, phone call, and of course financial support means so much. Please keep us in your thoughts. There is so much to be done.

Wayne

9/21

It's the first day of fall, but you couldn't tell that in Florida. Still  about 95 and humidity to the max! I'm learning firsthand that you have to work at a measured pace, keep fluids nearby at all times, and wear a hat. All of this is contrary to the "bullhead" in me who wants to go full speed ahead.

We were able to deliver another load of cleaning supplies to two churches in Gauthier, MS. Worked in a supply area all day organizing pallets of supplies so products can be found when they are needed. Hundreds of bags of needed items were delivered door to door for people unable to get to the relief area. People kept appearing all day, some kind of in a daze and overwhelmed. Basics such as water is still in great demand (see pix). Anxiety is building about hurricane Rita. How can it be that another monster storm is already in the Gulf heading to who knows where. Isn't there just some way it could be send back to where it came from?

Although the weather is a challenge, the biggest menace of all are the "lovebugs". These small black and red flying critters only come in pairs one on top of the other. Although this may be only a story locals tell "Yankees", it is claimed that they in a constant state of copulation- hence the name "lovebugs". Usually they are seen only in the springtime, but possibly due to hurricane, they are out in force. They do not bite (they're too busy), but when you're driving they hit the windshield with such frequency that it seems and sounds like rain and soon it's difficult to even see through the windshield. Every vehicle looks the same, practically covered in lovebug remains. Worst of all, you have to allow 10 extra minutes in the gas station to try to scrub the little devils off your windshield. People say "love conquers all", but Ed claims it's really the car windshield that has the final say!

Again thanks for all your support. Every post means alot to me and helps us all keep plugging away.

All my best,

Wayne

Responding to Mr. Ed's post- Would like to talk to you further about working on the house in Bay St. Louis. Could you give me your cell phone number or you can reach me at 617-823-0229. Good to hear from you. Wayne 

9/20 Tuesday

Just a short post to say hello. So good to hear from people. It puts a smile on my face and a spring in my step. Please keep them coming! Off to Pascagoula, MS. to deliver a load of cleaning supplies and deliver some goodies door to door for those who can't get to the relief areas. Judy and I keep "cleaning" out local stores of all their bleach , laundry soap, simple green, lestoil etc. Did you ever buy 78 mops all at the same time? Everyone seems to realize what we're up to and we get losts of "Bless you" or  "Going to Mississippi?". Your heart gets happy just being able to help in some small way.

Got to go and please realize  I couldn't do this without your  wonderful support.

All my best,

Wayne

Hi to everyone,
Ed just left to head to Birmingham and back to Providence. Thank God, we can finally turn off the caps lock! As you all are probably aware, and I am just learning, Ed is one gentle spirited and generous man. His quick and quirky sense of humor and thoughtful philosophy of life bring out the best in everyone around him. He's one fine human being!

Yesterday Ed spent the day showing me the ropes. I was anxious to see firsthand the damage from Katrina and try to understand what was needed.
We left about 7AM plannning for a full day of traveling all the way across Alabama and Mississippi and almost into Louisianna. Little did I realize that all routes are planned via the Waffle House where Ed sits at the counter critiquing the staff and kabitzing with the waitstaff. He just loves to watch the process of assembling each order and he just loves to watch the head "chef" flip the pan full of eggs!
You can see all the images on TV of the storm damage but these pictures fail to capture the full extent of what's happened. Maybe the following may help you better comprehend:

Signs of the hurricane are everywhere. Billboards twisted into piles of knotted material. Trees snapped and browned by the terrible wind and salt spray. Huge cranes are lifting damaged sections of an I-10 bridge and placing new concrete supports and roadways.(for the tune of $30 million dollars) As we approach Bay St. Louis MS, it is though someone has messed with the laws of nature and everything is out of place. Cars are upsidedown and scattered willy nilly. Roofs of houses rest uneasily against the remaining trees. Whole buildings tilt precariously at strange angles. Pieces of clothing or tarps hang from trees.
The whole scene is just wrong! Even if a house is still standing everything is in piles in the front yard much as if the ownwers were having a huge yard sale or were moving. Many plazas or shopping mall parking lots have been set up as relief centers. Pallets of essentials are lined up, ready to be distributed. Huge 40 ft. trailers of supplies have arrived- furnished by the American Red Cross or church groups or other large relief organizations. Firefighters and other volunteers have donned FEMA shirts and are doing their best in 95+ degree weather to maintain some sort of order and direction. Someone needs to be in charge and make decisions. Ed assures me that much has been accomplished in the last two weeks. More businesses are reopening- gas stations are once again functioning and some fast food establishments are cranking out meals. Traffic lights are still down and portable plywood stop signs try to control the traffic at intersections.

The destruction is pervasive. Hardly a building has escaped damage. The roads have been plowed as you would remove snow in colder places with the resulting tangle of lumber, limbs, couches and appliances piled high on both sides of the road. You wonder if these scars can ever be healed or do whole areas need to be bulldozed and rebuilt. As we head back east on I-10, we could take any exit and the scene would be much the same. FEMA encampments with mobile trailers, portable tents, porta potties and food areas dot the landscape. Fresh resources such as phone poles and spools of electric wire lay ready in supply areas. Lots of dump trucks with trailers hauling debris and trailers loaded with bobcats or chain saws are driving to the scene. Money is to be made. Apparently FEMA pays so much a cubic yard to haul debris to newly opened landfills.
Car dealers are proclaiming "new shipments of vehicles arriving daily"! Church parking lots are filled with rows of water damaged pews, instead of worshipper's cars. Ed and I wonder where you begin the rebuilding process. Certainly you must feed, cloth and shelter residents. But if the businesses are closed and jobs are lost, then people have no money to spend in the Wal Marts or McDonalds or Winn Dixes. Until homes are rebuilt where do people live? The economic infostructure has been severely damaged. Schools buildings need major repairs and closed. Where do we educate the kids even if families decide to return. Medical facilities, factories, retail outlets, shipping facilities are need to be brought back on line. There's a tremendous amount of work to be done.

There are so many stories of generous and caring people. One man brought a pick up load of chainsaws and gave them away to anyone who needed one. Then he gave the keys to the pickup to the fireman saying "it's yours", use it as you need to! Another man from Texas came to help for three dayss and is still here three weeks later, feeding people in a make shift tent. Another lady from New Jersy felt she just had to help and wound up taking charge of an entire relief site in the Winn Dixie parking lot. Her calming influence and leadership helped everyone in a most difficult time. You hear of fireman from South Carolina going from house to hpouse trying to check on people.
Unfortunately he was wearing a FEMA shirt and and people were angry about the slowness of government help and wanted to rip his face off. He quickly learned that his own firefighter shirt created no such animosity and he could offer help without fear of bodily harm.
Ed and I experienced all this, and we delivered some helpful supplies, but the botton line is, we were able to drive away in our air conditioned pickup in relative comfort. How long will it be before people living on the coast will be able to do the same thing? How long will it be before they can pick up their lives and move forward? How long will it be before they can feel safe and happy once again?

As you can tell, it is a a very moving expience being here. Thanks to Judy and Randy, I can look forward to a wonderful hot meal and a soft comfy bed. With your help and support, I hope to carry on what Ed has started in whatever way I can. I will continue to take needed supplies to the impacted areas and hope to assist local churches and groups in cleaning up or delivering items house to house. I will keep you posted!
All my best,
Wayne