Storm Corps Welcome Letter

UPDATED INFO 3/9/06 3:30pm EST:  Everyone, please check back to this page on the blog between now and 8pm EST 3/10/06.  We're going to post updates based on questions we are receiving.

Okay to wear Shorts when working?  We recommend you wear long pants / jeans, mostly because you may be moving some debris or construction materials on occasion.  Long pants will provide better protection from scratches and such.  Also, please make sure you bring a pair of leather work gloves.  Home Depot has a great assortment, and you can find them for as little as $2 / pair.

Forms. Forms. And More Forms.  :)  We've had a lot of questions about forms to fill out and why you haven't received them yet.  Don't worry.  We'll get you the forms when you check in on Saturday and have you fill them out then.

Laptops / Computer Access / valuables - FedEX is generously hosting several laptops at both base camp areas, which you'll be able to use for free to access the internet each evening.  You can bring your own laptop, but there really is no place to lock it up at the base camps.  If you can live without it for the week, that's probably safest.  Same thing with iPods or other valuables.  You may want to leave them home just to be safe.  There will be so many great people to meet with and talk to at base camp that you won't need these high tech gadgets for the week.  :)  Digital cameras and video cameras you are very welcome to bring, just try to keep these with you.  And again, you are welcome to bring laptops & iPods, but just keep in mind there aren't places to keep them locked up.

Outlets at base camp - There are not very many outlets at base camps to re-charge cell phones and the like.  If you have a car charger, you could use some van time to recharge.  Or, at the work sites, there "might" be an outlet you can use.  But at base camp, don't count on available outlets for charging electronics.  They may be in use by the FedEX laptops, etc.

Refrigerator for medications - There is a refrigerator at both base camps that you can store meds in.  Note that you'll have access to the refrigerator basically from 5pm each evening to 8am the next morning.  From 8am - 5pm we'll be out at job sites, so we can't guarantee refrigerators will be at the job sites.  But they will be available at base camps.

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Dear Storm Corps participant!!!

We are SO excited you’ll be joining MTV and United Way in less than 2 weeks to help rebuild the Gulf Coast!  There is a TON of information to cover in the next several days, so be sure to keep all these documents to refer to later.  PLEASE review these documents BEFORE emailing with questions.

As you know, Storm Corps is an Alternative Spring Break program and much, much more.  It is a diverse group of young people coming together to help communities on the Gulf Coast rebuild.  It is also a demonstration of the commitment and potential of your generation to tackle some of our nation’s greatest challenges.  In addition to all the hard work during the week on the Gulf Coast, each of us will return to our own communities with an understanding about how engagement – our own and that of our peers – can help solve problems right at home. 

Throughout the week, we’ll also have the opportunity to show the country what young people are doing and to inspire others to follow in our footsteps.  As you review these materials, you’ll see that we’re going to use every opportunity to spread the word about our work and generate more and more interest in efforts to rebuild the Gulf Coast.

To ensure that we are effective while on the ground in Mississippi and Alabama, your attention to the following logistical matters is critical.

TRAVEL

By now, you should have already made or at least researched your travel plans.  You will need to email StormCorps@UnitedWay.org with your travel plans.  If you are flying, please forward a copy of your itinerary to StormCorps@UnitedWay.org.  If you are driving, please send an email to StormCorps@UnitedWay.org with the subject line saying, “John Doe is Driving to Biloxi” (using your name) so that we know who is arriving by car, how many vehicles need to be parked for the week, etc.

If you have NOT made your travel plans, you need to do so ASAP.  If you are flying, you should attempt to fly into MSY by 4PM on the 11th and can return on a flight anytime after 1PM on the 18th.  You can also fly into Gulfport, MS (GPT), but that tends to be more expensive.

When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met by a representative of Storm Corps (wearing Storm Corps insignia – you won’t miss ‘em!).  They’ll help you collect your stuff and get it to the van for the ride to our base camp.

If you are driving in, base camp is located at 2113 Pass Road, Biloxi, Mississippi, 39531.  Click here for a google map.

WEATHER ON THE GULF COAST

As you know, spring is a beautiful time on the Gulf Coast with average temperatures ranging from 52 -68 degrees daily.  Of course, those are AVERAGES.  Be sure to check www.weather.com or some other resource as your travel dates draw closer.  Regardless, you’ll want to be prepared to work in both “open” indoor buildings (those with no doors and windows, for instance) and outdoors in all safe weather.  (If there is severe inclement weather, safety is our number one concern and teams will be reassigned.)  So, plan to bring a few layers, at least one of which is water-resistant or waterproof. 

SERVICE PROJECTS

Currently, service projects fall into a different categories.  Each is described briefly below to give you a sense of the types of work in which we will likely engage:

* Debris removal – As you’ve likely seen on MTV and other news coverage, there are still literally tons of trees and other debris scattered throughout various parts of the region.  If your team is assigned to debris removal, you’ll want to wear long pants, boots and work gloves and be prepared to carry stuff.  Tree removal crews will consist of Pilots and LD’s.  (Pilots = people who “pile-it” where it can be removed.  LD’s are limb draggers.  Critical to the tree removal team.)  At no point will Storm Corps participants operate chain saws.  Sorry, folks.  No such drama this round!
* Gutting homes/buildings – As you can imagine, the portions of homes that were underwater need to be stripped.  Some of our teams will be going into homes and pulling out drywall and other materials to strip a home to the studs.  This entails some serious heavy lifting and demolition.  After that point, the home is ready to be rebuilt for occupancy. 
* Work at various nonprofit organizations:
o Southern Mississippi AIDS Task Force – their damaged fence needs to be taken down.  There is a storage building that needs to be rebuilt.
o Deaf Center (part of Catholic Social Services) – Their fence line needs to be raked, grounds cleared, weeded, etc.  The playground equipment there needs to be inspected and set up again or possibly rebuilt.  They would also like for us to build picnic benches. 
o Moore Community House – They operated childcare services for infants (6 weeks) up to pre-school (4.5 years) out of 5 buildings that were destroyed.  They are refurbishing the church across the street to relocate some services there.  We can help to transform that space.
o The Humane Society – Assisting in the provision of care and shelter to animals in the region.
o Women’s Center for Nonviolence – We will be clearing the grounds that haven’t been maintained since the storm and filling holes left when the destroyed fence was removed, making the yard safe for children who stay at the shelter.
o Please note that these projects are subject to change.

COMMUNAL LIVING

As you know, there are literally thousands of individuals from around the country who are willing to contribute their efforts to make a difference in hurricane-impacted regions.  As a result, you’ll encounter hundreds of other volunteers throughout the community and you’ll be a part of something much bigger than Storm Corps alone.

Regardless of which site you end up assigned to, you will be living in a group setting throughout the week of Storm Corps.  There are limited showers and other facilities being shared by dozens of individuals.  Throughout the week, our focus needs to remain on working together to maximize the space’s capacity to engage the largest number of volunteers to help Gulf Coast communities rebuild.  So start setting your headspace now… “I’m part of a larger community.  We’re all here to help rebuild lives.  I really don’t need a shower right now.”  (OK… you MAY need a shower, but you’re willing to be flexible throughout the week to make sure that everyone is able to contribute to the rebuilding efforts.

At the same time, our close living quarters and shared resources are amazing opportunities to make friends and to connect with others from across the country.  Make sure you take advantage of the opportunity to get to know people who you would never meet otherwise.  It’s truly a unique, amazing chance to see a world much larger, much more diverse than ourselves.

SLEEPING QUARTERS

You will need to bring a sleeping bag and, if you’d like, a sleeping pad to put underneath it.  You may also bring sheets and a blanket if you don’t have a sleeping bag, but a sleeping bag will make things much easier. 

We are trying to get enough cots for everyone, but cannot guarantee everyone will have a cot to sleep on.  We will be sleeping in converted community centers or in large military/relief type tents with pallets for floors.

If you desire, you may also bring a tent and pitch it on the grounds.  There will be others doing the same, so you won’t be “alone”, but there will be a greater degree of privacy than in the large communal areas.  Again, this is optional for those of us who love to rough it or just can’t do the barracks thing.

FOOD

All meals will be provided.  They will be hearty, hot breakfast and dinner options.  Lunch will be served in the field and may be bagged sandwiches and fruit or those world-famous MRE’s (meals-ready-to-eat)   If you want to purchase snacks for other times, you are welcome to do so. 

BATHROOMS/SHOWERS/LAUNDRY

There is often a wait for a shower and a 4 minute limit for those wanting to use the indoor shower.  There are two additional outdoor showers (enclosed)  which typically have less of a wait.  Remember… the more flexible and supportive of one another we are, the more people who can be involved in the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast.

PRESS/MEDIA

We want to take every opportunity to publicize the great work that you all are doing to prompt more and more of your generation to engage in increased service, either on the Gulf Coast or in their own communities.  To do this, we are trying to maximize every opportunity to get press coverage of this project and your involvement.  In addition, for those of you interested in incorporating use of the media to carry out your post-Storm Corps action plans, there will be a media training workshop as an optional choice for the training program in Biloxi.

Please take a few moments to fill out the information on the attached response form to help us identify media targets to increase the word about the Storm Corps initiative.

THINGS TO BRING

* Work Gear: If you work in it, it will most likely get trashed.
* Sleeping bag and pillow
* Air mattress or thermarest
* T-shirts (long sleeves are good)
* Long pants / jeans
* Clothes to wear around base camp after work (ie clean jeans and sweatshirt)
* Work boots (steel toes are great)
* Hat or cap
* Work gloves
* Sunscreen
* Insect repellent
* Eye protection
* Towel
* Personal hygiene items
* Any medications that you take (and have prescription for)
* Books, Magazines
* A journal
* Pen
* Laptop computer if you like, there is wi-fi at the camp, but know that locking them up will be difficult at times
* SENSE OF HUMOR and an open mind

THINGS NOT TO BRING

* Drugs or alcohol
* Pets
* VALUABLES.  Although we work to ensure our volunteers’ safety and the church is kept locked at all times, we recommend that you leave valuables

Comments

[Jessica]

I just wanted to say hello to everyone. I saw a few profiles on here and realized that so far I'm the only person from the gulf coast going! All y'all from the north, don't pick on my accent. But I think its great b/c I was affected from the hurricane and I know from working with law enforcement how it has affected the people of the gulf coast. I take pride in the project b/c it hits so close to home. I cant wait to meet new friends from around the nation, and look forward to seeing everyone Saturday. Feel free to e-mail me back and get to know each other
Jessica Wolford

[Lindsay Rea]

Hey Jessica!! I am also from the coast. (Lucedale) Where on the coast are you from? Please e-mail me!

[jessica]

Hey Lindsay...I'm from Louisiana...I live in Alexandria which is central Louisiana but have family and friends that live in New Orleans. Keep in touch..where are you from

[Lindsay Rea]

I'm from Lucedale. It's about 40 miles north of Biloxi. Lucedale was hit pretty hard by the hurricane. Can't wait to meet you on Saturday!!

[Haley]

hey i am from ms. to i am in between jackson and hattiesburg.. i cant wait to go.

[jessica]

Hey I cant wait to meet you two either. Glad we got some southern gals in here! Keep in touch
Jess

[Lindsay Rea]

where are you from haley??

[haley]

Mendenhall its about 45 mins. south of jackson and about an hour north of hatt. you

[apsarana]

hello all!!
i'm so excited to meet everyone... can't wait... its going to be soooo soon!!! is anybody here from california???

[jess]

Hey everyone, tomorrow is the big day! Please feel free to email me at sigmakap105@aol.com so we can try and get to know each other before we head down there..that way we wont be complete strangers..hope to hear from you all soon
Jess

[Julie Weis]

I'd like to welcome all of you to the area and tell you how wonderfully proud I am of all of you who have given up your spring break for the good of others!
Hell-o Ashley!
Julie Weis

[Emily Bjorklund]

Hi everybody! My name is Emily, I'm from a tiny little town called Oroville up here in Washington State. I was extremely affected by the turmoil and disaster of the hurricane. And I strongly agree that the government could've done more for the people which I why I would be mighty proud in rebuilding the gulf coast with people from all over the country!

[Tyran Sutherlin]

Hey everyone. This is something that we all will truly remember, hope that we all take only the best things from this experience I know I will. For all of you that I have meet, keep it touch. This could be the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Everyone work hard this week!! We have alot of people looking up to us!!!

[Elizabeth]

I am a teacher and I was wondering if there was anything available like this for our spring break in April. If so let me know I am sure teachers in my district would be very interested!!

[Gabe]

Elizabeth, click the link on the homepage for info on Hands On Network -- you can definitely bring a group here.

[Uriah Ary]

how old do you have to be

[Gabe]

Uriah, welcome to the Internet:

http://www.handsonnetwork.org/hurricane-relief/get-hands-on/

[Mike Ward]

I would love to become part of this project. If you could either email me or call me on my cell (954)-895-5251
I'm about to join the armed forces to become part of the solution and try to make a difference in our world.

Thanks so much guys!!

Mike

[chaka marshall]

hello my name is chaka and i am really interested in helping the victims of hurricanne katrina. is there someone i can call or get in touch with by e-mail that can send me more information on how to get involved. thanks chaka
god bless you all and keep up the good work

[Aaron McMichael]

I just wanted to take the time out to all you college people for helping the Gulf Coast out. My parents live in Long Beach, MS. I went through personal hell because I live in McAllen, TX...graduated college 3 years ago...working..and had to wonder if my parents made it through the storm or not. If any of you want to share personal stories..feel free to visit my myspace.com page..its http://www.myspace.com/troytrojans2003 If anyone reads this, I am coming home to see my parents in the month of June. I would also like to help out if at all possible!

Aaron

[Harriet ross]

Can you tell me if United Way is sponsoring a college group to help in the Hurrican Katrina area this year?

[Harriet ross]

Is United way sponsoring a program this year 2007

[Annerose]

These comments have been invaluable to me as is this whole site. I thank you for your comment.