News from Pearlington

June 1 brought the onset of the hurricane season. Please note two new .pdf files, located to the right of this panel. The first contains Hurricane Preparedness information, the second is a list of Severe Weather Shelters for the Pearlington area. Please read them both and be aware.

Combining databases created by a number of people, including Paula Buhr, Joe Clark and myself - aided by new surveys conducted by Americorps and others, with some assistance by Eileen Powers - we are finally in a position to know what needs to be done. There are some names missing - people who we were not able to contact or ever to catch at home - but, the effort will continue to make it as comprehensive as can be.

This database is a cooperative effort, in the full meaning of the word as defined by the Coalition of Disaster Relief Agencies (C.O.D.R.A.) in Pearlington. It is available to all and will identify who is the neediest of our help first (elderly, disabled, single Moms and pregnant women, large families etc.) so that we might focus our efforts appropriately. Amidst the chaos it has been a monstrous job and a task assisted by many brave and caring volunteers. All of you should now take a deep breath, hug one another and move on to our next big job.

This database will only stay current if all who do work in Pearlington report to it, so that it might be updated. Please see Laurie Spaschak and she will ensure that the work you have done is listed properly. It is also a crucial element in being able to provide the County with materials and volunteer hours worked, to help defray the downloading of Katrina costs by the State - eventually and inevitably to be borne by residents who have quite enough on their plates, thank you.

Clinic:

The Clinic, located in the corner of the Chas. B. Murphy school will be closing permanently this Thursday.

A Volunteer’s Tale:

There is an interesting story, published in the Press Banner, of the Ben Lomond area of California, by Pearlington volunteer Lynn Walton. Lynn returned home and continues to raise awareness and funds for the rebuilding of Pearlington. Thanks, Lynn!!

The story can be found here.

It takes a second to load. Click on Page 27 and then the conclusion is on page 31.

Quote du Jour:

"After 30 years of public safety service, Pearlington has moved me and rewarded me far beyond any experience of my life. There are so many others that you and I meet, engage and bond with every day. I can't tell you how important they all (and you) have become in my life as we march forward toward our the return of Pearlington. Some day we will come back, long after this effort has passed us. We will see the oaks and the pines, healthy again, the homes new and old restored and alive and we will know that we played our little part of breathing life where there was lifelessness. Thank you again."

- Tom Dalessandri, Carbondale, Co. - Project Pearlington


Have a great day!