Local headlines show mixture of gains and obstacles…

AmeriCorps members help rebuild

GULFPORT

YouthBuild Americorps Katrina Rebuilding Project received a $100,000 slice of a $5 million donation from Wal-Mart to the YouthBuild U.S.A. program on Friday in a ceremony at one of its project sites. YouthBuild Gulfport has completed more than 200 projects in South Mississippi since being formed in July 2006. more...

Truckload of lost Katrina supplies arrives

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BATON ROUGE --

The first truckload of $85 million in federal relief supplies, lost in a bureaucratic hole for months, has arrived in Louisiana and will be distributed to those still displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the chief of the state's storm recovery said Thursday. more...

South Mississippi Still Generous Despite Tough Economy

BILOXI (WLOX) -- Despite today's challenging economic times, South Mississippi residents continue opening their checkbooks to causes and organizations they support.  Mississippi often ranks near the top of national surveys about charitable giving. more...

Charity wants better housing: Group looks at modular homes 

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BAKER, La. --

A group of former FEMA trailer residents has formed a charity with the goal of donating up to 200 modular homes in Louisiana to help their fellow Hurricane Katrina victims. more...

Neighbor Testifies Wind Damaged Pascagoula Couple's Property

(WLOX Biloxi)

PASCAGOULA (WLOX) -- The wind versus water battle continued in Jackson County circuit court Wednesday. James and Gladys Lisanby are suing their longtime insurance company, USAA, for the $800,000 policy value they say they are owed.

The couple's attorney says it was wind, not water, that destroyed the family's home. Wednesday, a hurricane expert and a neighbor backed up that claim. more...

Soon To Be Former State Farm Customers Think About Options

BILOXI (WLOX) -- The non-renewal letters may not arrive for several months, but hundreds of Mississippi coast residents who are losing their property insurance are already starting to think about life after State Farm. more...

Despite the sacrifices and rising fuel costs, 800 volunteers will come this summer to serve thru PHC.. 

Why do they keep coming?

  “This is my second year coming down.  I originally came so my son could get a taste of volunteer work, and see how other people live….but this has really grabbed a hold of me.  The spirit of the people who have been devastated is a great example that gives me a lot of hope.  In a selfish way, I feel like I get more out of coming than I could ever give back.”  (Don, Lafayette, IN)

 “It was great to visit our friends again.  We’ve grown to feel a part of the PHC family.  Everyone is welcoming and works so hard to see that our stay is as comfortable and successful as possible.  The Holy Spirit truly is at work here and we leave feeling again like we have more than we came with.  God bless all of you who work so hard for so many.  (Steve, Lutherville, MD)

 “Your accommodations here at St. Ann’s are perfect – food, shelter, showers and such welcoming personnel.  I could see myself coming here to clean, cook and serve the volunteers someday.” (KB, teacher, Muskegon, MI)

 “From the beginning when I first met everyone here, I really fell in love with this place…this has become my second home.  I don’t see any time soon that all the work is going to get done.  Thank you for taking care of us no matter what time of day or night we show up.  You’re a class act.” (Dan, Rochester, MN)

 “Thank you for making me feel like family.  You provided me with the utmost respect, love and hospitality.” (Moose, Princeton, NJ) 

 “I’ve realized that Project Hope and Compassion is really what it stands for.  I am leaving here with hope for Gulfport, for Mississippi, and for all the people of the United States.  I could not have asked for a better spring break.” (Samantha, Sandwich, MA) 

“I thought everything had been cleaned up and mostly rebuilt by now, but my eyes were opened to the devastation surrounding the area.  From volunteering down here I definitely learned the value of teamwork and hope.  I was impressed by the high spirits and friendliness of everyone down here.  The experience was better than I could ever have imagined…..Thanks for taking care of us.” (Janine, Clarks Summit, PA)

 “The experience of helping these families went far beyond my expectations.  The love that was shared throughout the week was tremendous.  We thank you for allowing us to be part of this life altering mission.”  (Elizabeth, Medfield, MA)

 Much work remains,  and for many months to come..

 Below are the volunteer numbers currently scheduled for Camp Hope: 

As you can see, there are many openings late summer and fall.  If you, your church or civic group would like to consider a life-changing experience by giving a few days or a week of service, please contact Terri Moore to get more information or to make your reservation.   You may contact Terri at 228.861.8129 or by email at ttdata@bellsouth.net

Camp Hope News

Catfish dinners travel to Michigan

Glenn, Karen and Ivy Parker traveled to Muskegon and Hudsonville, Michigan the last week of May, and with the help of PHC volunteers from the surrounding area, put on two successful catfish dinners to benefit Project Hope & Compassion.  The trip also gave the Parkers the opportunity to express gratitude for the many volunteers who have come to Mississippi and Camp Hope from Michigan over the past three years.  Dinners were served to over 800 guests. 

Recognition for long-term volunteers at Camp Hope

Special thanks must be mentioned for a few long-term volunteers at Camp Hope, without whose service this work would be much more difficult.  Barry Wright from Canada, Mark & Iverna Mercer from Pennsylvania, and Bob Cook from Michigan have each given extended periods of time this past year to do whatever needed to be done around the camp (cooking, clean up, repairs, directing volunteer groups, etc.).

 Summers are extra busy at Camp Hope, and we are very fortunate that two young men, Robbie Kapafiasz (Maryland) and Charles Gardner (North Carolina), both of whom have previously worked short term with PHC, offered their services to assist the PHC staff with the large groups coming in to volunteer in July and August.  (Rumor has it that Karen & Glenn’s cooking was also a big attraction!) They have already proven to be a great help to Karen and the staff. 

 If you would like to give of your time for an extended period of service to PHC, please contact Karen Parker (akaren@bellsouth.net; 228-860-1533) 

 A Word from the Director…

Fr. Peter Mockler

“If I had to sum up in one word the reaction of residents along the coast to the generosity of the many thousands of volunteers who have come from all over the United States to help us in our time of need, the word would be gratitude.  We are awed and humbled by the goodness of people, young and old, who have given up their vacations, their holiday and spring breaks, their summer relaxation, to travel at great expense and sacrifice to a part of the country they may have never been to before, to labor, listen, cry, heal, feed, clean, build and pray with people they have never met before.  I don’t know if these volunteers realize what a tremendous encouragement they are to our local citizens.  Because of the outpouring of love, compassion and concern from these volunteers, residents know that they are not alone in facing the challenges and fatigue that daily plague them.  On their behalf, I thank you.  (Note: PHC is committed to keeping Camp Hope open and available as long as volunteers keep coming and funding allow us to do so.)

A new storm season is upon us, and the threat of another major hurricane is always a concern.   Please pray that this will be a mild hurricane season.”