Update #1 to: A New Call to Action

God, I love these people!

The response to my call to action has been immediate and starts off this day on a heartening note:


"The BRICK Layers of North Alabama will return to Pearlington this week. August 29th was supposed to be our 30th trip to Pearlington in 3 years. Gustav was able to delay us, but not stop us. We will return this week with a different mission than originally planned. We are waiting from reports to know how we can best help and what supplies are needed.

We have also learned a lot in the last 3 years. We've learned that there are amazing volunteer groups all over North America and Canada who proved that they could coordinate efforts to help others and get the job done. We have learned to ask for gift cards to Wal-Mart and Lowe's and Home Depot. They are much easier to transport and much easier for the residents of Pearlington to use.

I challenge each volunteer group to think about resources that they have not tapped yet. Have you asked area schools to help collect supplies and gift cards? Have you asked all of your area churches to consider adopting one family and help them get back on their feet? Are there area stores in your area that would be willing to serve as collection points? Have you asked any of the political candidates in your area to publicly support the recovery efforts? We look forward to Tom's report from Pearlington. He can help us determine how we can be most helpful to the residents of Pearlington.

How could we turn our backs on them now? The people of Pearlington are not only our friends. They're family.

Jennifer Johnson BRICK Layers Huntsville, AL
http://www.pearlingtonms.com/

Thanks for restarting the blog. I know a bunch of us like to know what is happening down in Pearlington. Our group from Michigan will again be in Pearlington from October 26th thru November 8th. This will be a 6th trip for most of us from Howell, MI. Any updates on the PDA camp would be appreciated.
Curt

Hi Jon, We were there in Pearlington shortly after Katrina hit. Our group has made several trips over the past three years. Please keep us posted on what we can do. I should be able to form a group to come when needed. We are from the St. Louis area and will do our best to respond as quickly as needed. We stayed in Diamondhead at the Presbyterian Church the first time we came. I will contact D. Pres. to see what their response is in need of housing people like before.
Blessings, Dana

I am working with my missions pastor to get a response plan in place. As soon as I know what our plan is, I will email it to you. I hope to be able to send a team down to help out if necessary.
Blessings, Corrie Ayers, Minn. MN

Brunswick Presbyterian Church of Troy, NY has been to Pearlington, MS. We have worked with the PDA on three occasions and will be making our fourth trip in just a few weeks.
Colleen Lais"

ADDITIONALLY:

From Gara Gillentine in Oxford, MS:

Point Of Distribution Sites In Hancock, Harrison Counties
Posted: Sep 1, 2008 07:58 PM

PEARL, MS (WLOX) - Food, water and ice will be distributed to residents in Hancock and Harrison counties beginning at 1 p.m. Tuesday from point of distribution sites from the following locations:

Harrison County:
Crossroads Mall, U.S. Highway 49, north of Interstate 10, Gulfport.
Menge Avenue, and Second Street, Pass Christian.
Yankie Stadium, corner of Lee and Division streets, Biloxi.
Rite Aid parking lot, 4031 Pops Ferry Road, D'Iberville.

Hancock County:
The Kiln ball field, 18324 Highway 43, Kiln.
Kmart, at the Fred's old parking lot, 3044 Highway 90, Waveland

So far these are the only sites requested for the distribution of commodities. The distribution will be handled by the Mississippi National Guard. Additional sites may be added later based on continuing damage assessments or requests from local governments. Communities where power is restored and where food water and ice are available from local retailer's points of distribution sites will not be opened.

God Speed,
Gara