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.