Funding Terrebonne’s schools: Parish lags in funds
September 18, 2012Lafourche council pushes $25M bond package
September 18, 2012
Volunteers are still needed in the Tri-parishes to help clear trees and debris, install tarps and muck out homes in the wake of Hurricane Isaac.
“We are still looking for volunteers,” said Diana Edmonson, executive director of Terrebonne Council on Aging. “We mainly do transport and warehouse work. We picked up people before the storm and brought them to the shelter, fed them one of their meals and then brought them back to their homes when the storm was over. We also gave out water and tarps for roofs.”
The council’s volunteer group, Bayou Area Readiness and Recovery, is one of 30 different local organizations that communicates and works together to help those affected by storms.
“We were able to accomplish our missions after the storm,” Edmonson said. “We are a close-knit group of volunteers and we work well together.”
To volunteer though BARR, call (985) 868-8411.
Edmonson works closely with Peggy Case, director of Terrebonne Readiness and Assistance Coalition, another of the local volunteer groups.
“Peggy is case management and repairs,” Edmonson said. “They need volunteers to clean up trees and shrubs damaged during the storm, put tarps on roofs and do minor repairs that volunteers can do. A lot of the elderly also need help cleaning up their yards in the lower parts of the area.”
“We need help in Pointe-Aux-Chenes with mucking out homes,” Case said. “A very limited number of homes were damaged by flooding, but we also need help to secure any wind damage.”
Members of the Bayou Baptist Association have been helping Terrebonne Readiness and Assistance Coalition with tree cutting, debris removal and tarping, but more volunteers will be needed in the coming months as those with structural damage begin to make their repairs.
“We will be doing interior remodels of homes with flood damage,” Case said. “Others will need even more help because their homes were completely destroyed. Some of these homes were not insured, and Federal Emergency Management Agency funds will not replace a whole home.”
Housing is available for volunteers, and those interested in lending a hand may call (985) 851-2952 and ask for Michelle Liner, TRAC’s volunteer coordinator, or visit www.trac4la.com.
“TRAC is the only continuous volunteer group here that has been around since Hurricane Andrew,” said Robert Garmin, executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma and Thibodaux. The diocese’s volunteer group, Matthew 25, has provided more than $7.2 million in assistance in local families since Hurricane Katrina.
“We (the volunteer groups) all get together and talk about what needs to be done,” Garmin said. “We try to coordinate – we don’t want volunteers out there tripping over each other. One agency does one thing and one does another. Other member groups have donated and contributed considerable amounts (of time and money).”
There are more than 300 volunteers in Matthew 25, named after a Bible verse about helping others, and the group has helped others in the wake of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike and Isaac and the BP oil spill.
“Right now, we want our volunteers to check on those who may have fallen through the cracks and see what they need,” Garmin said. “There was lots of flooding and roof damage. After FEMA and insurance help, some people will still need assistance. We ask that our volunteers stay in touch with people in their communities as they continue through recovery. We want them to call and let us know what these people may need. We still need volunteer, and the need depends on what they are capable of doing and when they are available.”
Those wishing to volunteer through Matthew 25 may call (985) 876-0490 for more information. Those unsure of which group to volunteer for may contact www.VolunteerLouisiana.gov, which shows links to donation opportunities, an interactive map of volunteer centers in the state and other volunteer organizations.
“We connect volunteers with local non-profits like TARC, BARR and Matthew 25,” said Nicholas Auck, director of volunteer outreach for Volunteer Louisiana. “We are expecting several thousands of volunteers in the state as the recovery continues.”
Those who register through the website may sign up for any number of specific areas but are reminded not to self-deploy. Registrants will be contacted by email as volunteer opportunities arise.
“Volunteers will be needed to man and take down disaster recovery centers, conduct damage assessments, muck out carpet and rip up drywall,” Auck said. “We will coordinate with FEMA and the state to help with assistance.”
Greg Cheramie, left, and cousin Peter Cheramie take measurements on the roof of a Golden Meadow home that sustained roof damage during Hurricane Isaac. Peter owns P & C Construction in Galliano. Terrebonne Readiness and Assistance Coalition is seeking volunteers to help install tarps on homes in the lower parts of Terrebonne Parish.
