River of Hope II
“A River of Hope” Relief Project: Orion Associates, Meridian Services and Zenith Services Employees Return to New Orleans to Help with Hurricane Katrina Clean Up Over the Martin Luther King, Junior Weekend”
January 2006
Orion Associates, Meridian Services, and Zenith Services sent twenty-five employees and volunteers to New Orleans’ Ninth Ward, over the Martin Luther King, Junior holiday weekend, January 13 to 16, 2006, to help with ongoing Hurricane Katrina clean up efforts.
This was our second trip to New Orleans following our efforts in November,
when we worked directly with people in the Ninth Ward, one of the hardest hit
areas of the city. After our Thanksgiving weekend trip, we continued to be
a contact for families who needed help. Through these contacts we learned that
their situation did not change appreciably in the weeks that followed.
Concerned and wanting to help, our organization filled and sent a second semi truckload of sheetrock, with more tools, blankets, and items for specific requests. We raised $17,500.00 to purchase these supplies and donations, and the organization again spent approximately $17,500.00 of company savings for costs and needs.
When we arrived in New Orleans, we continued the clean up and repair work,
gutting six homes, and continued our work on the church and another building
used by the church. We were grateful for the opportunity to help. We gave money
to some families and supplies including beds, blankets and clothing to others.
Most of the cleaning and building supplies were left for use by the community
as they rebuild. The people we met were very thankful because they have had
so little support.
We are planning to send a group of employees and volunteers to New Orleans for a third time in late March. This time, we are also taking professional contractors to help with the rebuilding efforts. .
As Rebecca Thomley, our Chief Executive Officer, says, “Progress is
underway down there, but so much work remains ahead. As this crisis disappears
from the headlines, many people assume that New Orleans has returned to normal,
which is simply not the case. This trip is our way of drawing attention to
the situation and to ensure the help keeps coming.”
Cash donations are needed to purchase supplies and materials for the rebuilding efforts. They can be made payable to the Zenith Services, Incorporated Disaster Relief Fund, and all donors will receive a charitable tax deduction receipt in the mail.
This event has passed, but Headwaters Relief continues it work to provide disaster relief.
You can Help! Click here to:Volunteer or Make a Charitable Donation to Headwaters Relief!
Hurricane Katerina Cleanup Photo Gallery
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“River of Hope” Project Participants
Emily Bastyr, Leota Bemis, Alicia Corbett, John Demgen, Alyssa Dotson, Gina Guggisberg, Lyndsay Hage, Madeleine Hage, Stephen Hage, Kathleen Holz, Pastor Warren Jones, Rachel Kuhl, Heather Lauer, Corinne Lozinski, Tammy Maschler, Jenn Meixell, Sarah Olsen, Roberta Piekarski, Jenny Schraut, Alexander Thomley, Luke Thomley, Rebecca Thomley, Toni Thulen, Jen Van Rooy, Cheryl Vennerstrom, Sharon Weiss
“River of Hope” Project Sponsors
The following agencies and businesses have generously contributed to our “River of Hope” project, and many have done so more than once. In addition, over a hundred individuals have given to our efforts as well. We would like to express our gratitude and deep appreciation to everyone whose donations have made our work in New Orleans possible. Thank you!
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