Live from Pearlington - Nov. 30, 2006

The Newest Members of C.O.D.R.A.
I would like to welcome to the C.O.D.R.A. community two new members. The first is Gene Butterfield - both the Elder and the Junior - representing Walls of Hope. Tomorrow, look for an article on their outstanding organization, as part of our "Focus On...." series.

The second is Mr. Joseph Keys, a dedicated and caring community advocate, who took me on a tour of some of the more disenfranchised residents of Pearlington. These are some of the people who have fallen through the cracks; people who, for one reason or another, have had little help and have little with which to begin anew.


I will strive to get Adopt-a-Home blogs up for them as quickly as possible and I encourage all of you to view these sites carefully. Some need only a Salvation Army sponsor, as they have been holding onto their FEMA money for dear life. Some have nothing, except faith and a belief that somehow God will provide.

It was a difficult morning....

Look also for an upcoming "Focus On...." Mr. Keys.

We had lunch at Rev. Rawl's church, who no longer has a church. It is been taken down and removed and a new church will be built in it's place. Miss Johnnie prepared spagetti for lunch and her, the other ladies and Rev. Rawls himself welcomed me back to Pearlington with open arms.

Security at the PRC
To further ensure the safety of all volunteers and to cut down on late night traffic using the laundromat at the Pearlington Recovery Center, they are looking at relocating Pearl's Cafe within the fencing on the field behind the school and locking the gate at night.

The Salvation Army, which is setting up a field office where the old school cafeteria used to be, has already requested that the main gate to the school property be locked at night. More on this as details become available.

FEMA Presence in Pearlington
FEMA now provides three outreach workers, with a daily posting to Pearlington. Sammy Crider, Dean Porter and Dave Schinnerer are available during business hours through the PRC.


Today is the last day of the official hurricane season. Mercifully, it was the season that wasn't, and I KNOW we can all live with that....