On August 23, 2005, one of the five deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States hit the Gulf Coast. The declared federal disaster area covered an area the size of Great Britain. The loss of lives and livelihoods was devastating; without accurate measure.

More than 2 years after the disaster, the region is still rebuilding. If standing in some communities, one might think the hurricane hit yesterday. In other communities, the buzz of tools and the banging of hammers quickly communicates the rebuilding is happening. It is estimated that rebuilding could be a twenty year effort. Two decades of sweat, buzzing, banging, and amazing dedication from people all over the world.

Hands On Greater Portland had been dreaming of sending a group of volunteers to the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina hit the region. The call went out this past summer and thanks to the giving nature of the Portland volunteer community, we had no trouble forming a group to go down to the Gulf to lend a hand in the rebuilding effort.

On Sunday, October 28^th, 15 Portland area volunteers met at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans, Louisiana.  This was the meeting place and launching point of the first Hands On Greater Portland Gulf Coast Rebuilding trip.

For the first 3 days, the group volunteered in Biloxi, Mississippi.  In Biloxi, the hurricane hit and within eight hours, the water receded. Though the water was gone quickly, it is estimated that there are still over 17,000 FEMA trailers being utilized in the state of Mississippi.

Upon arrival, the group met volunteers who represented all parts of country. Many volunteers are AmeriCorps Members and it was not uncommon to hear them declare that they are staying “until the work gets done.” The Portlanders were incredibly inspired by the volunteers and the staff at Hands On Gulf Coast. There was also frustration at the large amount of work still to be done in the community.

“I felt that there was more to be done.  Whatever task I was doing at that point was just a small piece to a bigger puzzle.  How do you go about rebuilding the lives and homes of people…when can you say that your job is fully done?  You can fix the house…help the kids on a test…but when will they be fully “rebuilt”?”

“I thought this work was representative of a great deal of work that is left because of the number of houses that have not yet been cleaned up or demolished since the storms. I really enjoyed this project - a lot of hard work, and I felt at the end like we had really helped both the homeowner, and the Hands On team in Biloxi. The work we did saved the two-person mold team several additional days worth of work.”

The Portland volunteer’s dedication was very apparent in the amount of work they accomplished.  In three short days in Biloxi, Hands On Greater Portland volunteers:

- Rebuilt/redirected more than 1 mile of hiking trails and picked up trash throughout Cedar Lake Island Park

- Completed 85% of the mold remediation needed at Mr. Lawrence’s House; mold scraped from every interior surface of the house, mold spores vacuumed and every surface primed with special anti-mold paint. Mr. Lawrence can now finish his house and move out of his fourth FEMA trailer.

- More than 12 children were tutored at the local elementary school

- 4 donated bicycles were tuned-up for a brand new physical education program that will get students riding bikes.

For the final 2 days the group was in New Orleans.  In New Orleans, the water stood in many communities for weeks. Faced with a different type of disaster than Biloxi, one of massive failure of the protective levees, volunteers rallied around the needs of the local community thanks to the great leadership of the Hands On New Orleans project development staff and another amazing crew of volunteers, this time reaching internationally.  

“Volunteering is not just about what one can give. It is also about what one can learn in the process. This reciprocity is one of the greatest experiences.”

In New Orleans, the Hands On Greater Portland volunteers again accomplished a great deal.  In short volunteers:

- Prepared dinner for both the entire Hands On Gulf Coast and Hands On New Orleans short and long term volunteer residents

- Sorted and packed more than 11,000 pounds of food at the New Orleans Food Bank

- Weeded and tested soil in public spaces throughout New Orleans

- Tiled, painted and performed general carpentry work at 3 residential homes in both Biloxi and New Orleans

- More than 50 kennels and cages cleaned out, 40+ food bowls cleaned, sample pet food repacked, carpets shampooed and numerous dogs walked at the only no kill animal shelter in New Orleans

- Tutored students and reorganized a charter school library

- Assisted HIV positive residents at the Lazarus Project house by assisting with general maintenance, clean-up and errands          

“I felt plenty of emotions on this trip.  I was disappointed and perplexed that the Gulf Coast was still at the state they are in.  2 years and things are slowly recovering.  I also felt alive…as I was doing/working on something that would make a direct impact on someone’s life.”

There is still work to be done. The rebuilding is just beginning. An estimated two decades of sweat, buzzing, and banging. The call is still there. Will you answer?

If you would be interested in participating in a volunteer trip down to the Gulf Coast or would like to join us for a slide presentation about the state of the Gulf Coast please let us know.  Email us or call Brenden at 503.413.6413.  

To read other reflections from the volunteers and see more pictures click here.