weightloss_milton 17680, originally uploaded by St. Bernard Project.
My friends & I are all flying to New Orleans next month. Through the St. Bernard Project (thanks, Tiffany) we are building homes for Katrina survivors. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am about this opportunity. After seeing the type of devastation flooding can bring to communities, to so many families within the US and in other countries (typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines); I felt obligated to find some way to help, to give back, to rebuild. So many neighborhoods were destroyed… and it’s a painful reminder to all of us that all of what we physically own can be taken away in a flash. I am grateful that I am in a position to help. So I am counting down the days until I land in Louisiana – armed with a hammer surrounded by my friends. I’m ready to get my hands dirty.
In related news, taking things a step further is one of my best friends, Derrick, who was recently accepted into LSU’s Project Recovery program. He is moving to New Orleans for two years beginning August – he along with 29 other grad students from across the nation will be educated to work in communities who have been short staffed due to the flood. He will be in the heart of the New Orleans rebuild – seeing the city change and move and grow from the inside. It is a big move for him and we are so proud that he was given a chance to shine his light on a city that needs him. I cannot wait to see what New Orleans has in store for him and what he has in store for New Orleans.
