jakorte's blog

7/7/2009
KM:
Fwd: Team Assignment:Get in the Car 8. Dates: October 4-10, 2009.

We are delighted that your team will be coming to help with the recovery of Louisiana. We have assigned your team to the Southeast Center in New Orleans. Thanking you in advance, LA UM Disaster Response, Inc.

JK:
HI! Yippee! What besides salsa should I bring for dinner Saturday night? I need to be in Livonia (Gem Show) by 1:00 pm on Sunday, but I should be ok if I leave right after church.

7/10/2009:

Dear KM,
Thank you for your interest in joining the United Methodist Southeast Louisiana Disaster Recovery with the Hurricane Katrina recovery process. Our number one resource continues to be the commitment and hard work of volunteers. Please review this information regarding your trip and the attached registration forms. After your review, please contact me with any unanswered questions you may have.

Reservation Details
Date of Trip: October 4–10, 2009
Group Name: Get In The Car, VIII
Volunteer Count: 9

Registration Forms
Please have each volunteer complete (1) Liability Release Form and (2) Medical Information. If you have youth participating, please complete the additional youth forms as well. In addition, please fill out ONE Skills Survey for your group. The Liability Release Form and Skills Survey Form are due two weeks prior to arrival.
Every member of your group must have accident insurance. Proof of Insurance for your team is due two weeks prior to arrival. If you would like to purchase travel accident insurance for 75 cents a day through Global Ministries, please visit www.laumcstormrelief.com for more information.

Also, please provide Southeast Louisiana Disaster Recovery with two or three contact cell phone numbers where we can reach members of your group during your trip.

Housing
Our housing facilities provide a place for you to Rest, Refresh, Replenish, & Relax. Please contact us one hour prior to arrival to gain access to your housing.

Your assigned housing is: the Epworth Volunteer Building at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Slidell, LA 70458.
This facility has a dormitory style layout. There are 50 bunk beds inside the facility, a commercial kitchen for your use, and a community area for dining and gathering. Finally, there are 6 showers (3 male/3 female) to which you will have shared access. There is also internet access at this facility.

As a note for your scheduling, during the school year, Aldersgate UMC hosts a Family Dinner/Bible Study on Wednesday evenings from 5:45-7:15. All recovery workers are invited to attend. The dinner is $5 per person. Please inform me on Monday if you wish to join the event.

A housing donation is requested of $12.00 per person/per day. Our housing facilities are made possible by volunteers through dedication, donations, and hard work. This housing donation covers utility maintenance, and general upkeep costs. Please make checks payable to Louisiana Disaster Recovery Ministry with ‘Housing’ in the memo line. Please turn in your housing payment on Monday morning following Orientation.

Meals & Food
Please remember that your team is in charge of purchasing and preparing your meals. There are sufficient grocery stores and general stores stocked with food and supplies so you can purchase these things upon arrival. The kitchen has all the necessary cooking utensils (pots/pans/spatulas/etc), but we recommend that you bring disposable plates/cups/eating utensils. Please remember to take any food you purchase back home with you or dispose of it prior to your departure.

Orientation
All volunteers are required to attend an orientation meeting on Monday morning at 8am. Please be prompt. Dale Kimball, New Orleans Station Manager, will give you an overview of the week and SLDR’s construction coordinators will assign work projects to your group at this time.
Orientation Location:Northshore Disaster Recovery Inc., Slidell, LA 70458

Flying Your Flag
One important aspect of the volunteer experience at SLDR continues to be the flying of state flags over the building. Volunteers take pride in seeing their flag fly while they work in this community. More importantly, the flags are a sign of hope for residents that still await services. If possible, please bring a full size state flag (3’X5’) with you.\

Water & Hydration
We have a limited supply of water coolers and ice chests available on a first come first serve basis. If you are able, please provide extra coolers and chests for your teams.

Donations
Our ministry is so grateful for the continual giving of so many wonderful people. Through labor and financial contributions we continue to coordinate the recovery of many individuals in this community. If you would like to donate financially to the ministry, we welcome any form of contribution. However, please know that monetary donations in the form of “gift cards” to Home Depot and Lowe’s are most useful to us and your fellow volunteers.

Preparation Training
If incoming volunteer team members are interested in improving their construction skills prior to volunteering, Lowe’s and Home Depot offer free classes on drywall, taping & floating, texturing walls, applying molding, installing doors, laying tile or carpet, etc.
We are looking forward to working with you and seeing you soon.
Peace, SLDR Volunteer Coordinator.

“Our mission is to seek and to save the least, the last, and the lost.
Without the sacrifice of volunteers, this would not be possible.
Thank you for being sensitive to the greater spirit and for putting the needs of others ahead of your own.
We rejoice and feel blessed to have you here!”

**Please be aware that due to the nature of social services, your volunteer information may be discussed internally among supervisors. If you desire for your information to remain confidential, which you have the right to do so, please advise the Volunteer Coordinator of your wishes.**