New Orleans Relief Trip

Our ward sent two crews of 12 to NO this past weekend as part of 285 from our Stake and more than 3500-4000 from other Southern Cities. We were assigned to the Ponchartrain Chapel in Metarie, a Nothwestern suburb of New Orleans. Each crew was self-contained in terms of leadership, tools, food, camping gear, etc. We drove ten hours to NO, camped on the Stake Center lawn Friday and Saturday nights, worked all day Saturday and half day Sunday completing work orders that had been called into the church. We removed sheetrock and flooring, emptied houses of flooded household goods and ruined fixtures. Some crews cleared fallen trees. We had a great weekend and were able to provide service to people who would not have had the ability to do the work themselves. We received nothing but praise and positive feedback for our efforts. The Church has been widely recognized all over the city for the ongoing relief efforts. Everyone we came in contact with (not just those receiving assistance) knew who we were and expressed gratitude for the church's role and commitment. 

Loading Up

 

Tents on the Stake Center grounds

 

Preparing Dinner

 

Dinner Time

 

Roughing it at Tent City

 

New cultural hall flooring

The roof of this stake center leaked. When the building became the command post for the work crews they covered the floor with blue tarps and stored wheelbarrows and tools inside. We also watched the BYU-CSU game in this room Saturday night. Go Cougs! 

Receiving Instructions

 

Brother Bradley

Brother Bradley recently moved into our Stake and accompanied our work crews. John Fish (center) is a member of our ward who also played varsity basketball at BYU and is 6'7". Brother Shaw, who is a member of our Bishopric and did not play any collegiate basketball, is 5'8". 

Loading up for the Day

 

Used Car

 

Tree blown over

 

Tree Blown over

 

Refuse Trucks

Combined Truck and Claw crews were all over this part of the City. 

The Claw

 

The Claw at work

 

Doug, Curt and Eddie

Eddie had hired a contractor and paid them up front to work in his home. We finished the job after the contractor failed to return. Eddie is a widower who said he thanked God daily that his wife had passed away and had not had to go through the hurricane and losing all of their things. 

Starting Work

 

Interior Work

 

Interior work

 

Work Crew

We were able to salvage about 10% of the worldly possessions of Roland and MaryAnn. 

Crew #1

In front of the home and pile of household goods of Roland and MaryAnn. 

Student Apartments

We went into New Orleans to these student apartments where a colleague of one of our ward members children were attending school. The area was still closed off to relief workers and felt like a war zone or a third world country. 

Bike Rack

At least no one stole the bikes. 

Courtyard and BBQ area

7 -8 foot water line.