Update from Pearlington

Great news from Pearlington!

Laurie Spaschak, Volunteer Manager of the Pearlington Recovery Center, has been retained by the Salvation Army as their new Lead Case Manager for Pearlington and the western portion of Hancock County. This changes little for Laurie in terms of her work with the Pearlington Recovery Center; she continues to work from the same office, but now will be in a position to assist the people of Pearlington with grants from Salvation Army in a much more direct way.

"The Salvation Army supporting our efforts to improve the camp, and we hope to begin relocating and upgrading the kitchen facility very soon. I am happy to be part of their team and very glad that I am able to continue here with the PRC as well."

Congratulations, Laurie!

As a result of a much greater level of responsibility by Laurie for Case Management, the PRC has recruited Bob Putnam to take over the management of Volunteer scheduling and housing. We have done a great job in recruiting volunteers, after the crisis in the fall. So much so that they require, if you are reserving space at the Pearlington Recovery Center this year, that you please book in advance as much as possible. The PRC is now FULL for March and some weeks in other months.

Please contact Bob Putnam for reservations to the Pearlington Recovery Center at the NEW email for registration.

pearlingtonvolunteercenter@gmail.com

Full information and a registration form may be downloaded at the PRC blog, located at:

http://www.prcvolunteers.blogspot.com

Let's be careful we don't let up on the need for volunteers, now!

We heard that the Southern Baptist Church is going to house volunteers again this summer, and Camp Coastal may have space as well, but if you have a group planning to come April - July, please let us know as soon as you can. There are, of course, some other options for volunteer housing in Pearlington. Please consult our Volunteer Blog at:

http://pearlingtonplugins.blogspot.com

Additionally, the Pearl*Mart will now change its position in this recovery. A long while in the works, a decision has been made by local directors Larry Randall and Herb Ritchie to end food distribution there on March 1st.

It will now be a bare bones pantry only available in emergency and/or urgent needs situations, through case workers. Pearl*Mart will continue to be open for work requests, caseworker appointments, volunteer coordination etc.

The PRC now has a group coming twice a month starting the 26th of Feb to assist folks with medicaid and disability issues. More details later....

"We will revise our needs list accordingly - with the main focus on electrical/plumbing/painting and work related supplies. Clothing will be available till it is gone and we will not be accepting more clothing donations, except for infants and children. We will try to continue to assist those families with children’s needs.

We are looking for a local resident to assist in changing the distribution over to a food pantry, and manage it in the future This could be a paying position (supported by the SA not the PRC) but requires a commitment of time and energy."

That’s it for today, folks, but there is more to come. Thanks for your patience as I stepped out of the loop for a bit, to nurture my family and, oh yeah, myself!

"Canada Jon"
jonw@bconnex.net