Wayland eNews :: Waveland Initiative

A wave of Wayland support is going to Waveland, Mississippi, Wayland’s sister community, this October with an ambitious effort to rebuild three homes ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. The “Wayland to Waveland” relief group is organizing a workforce around local builder Peter Bachman’s generous commitment to lead a major construction effort.

Bachman has committed his firm’s resources and is organizing other trades people and suppliers to substantially build or restore three homes in a two-week stretch in October. Bachman heads Creative Designs, Inc., a Wayland based construction company. “After hearing about and viewing the total losses people suffered down there, I realized that what they really need at this point is skilled labor and know-how. That’s what we hope to bring. I am hoping other Waylanders can join the effort this October.” he said. “We can make a big difference in these people’s lives.”

The Wayland to Waveland Hurricane Katrina Relief effort (see www.waylandtowaveland.org) has been providing aid and support since last fall, and the committee will be organizing this month-long effort to send two waves of workers to Waveland. It will also be collecting donations to continue relief efforts across the small southern city, of 7000 residents, ground zero for Katrina.

The first wave of Wayland support will rush into Waveland during the Columbus Day weekend as Wayland Selectman Michael Tichnor plans to lead a group of local teenage volunteers to take on a variety of projects throughout Waveland.

That effort will be followed by Bachman’s brigade of 60-100 people who will roll into town on October 11 and work through October 27th, in shifts, to build and rebuild three homes. He will bring people, materials and know-how to Waveland. Volunteers not need to be skilled tradespeople, but able and willing workers.

Both waves of workers will have to pay their own way to and from Waveland, and pay for housing and meals, consistent with the various visits organized by Wayland to Waveland to help with relief efforts.

Three Homes Selected

The Wayland to Waveland Steering Committee has selected, with Bachman, three people who live near each other and need outside help to rebuild. Two of the recipients are people the organization has helped or worked with over the past year. One is 78-year old “Miss Hazel” whose house was gutted by the flood waters and is currently living in a small trailer on the edge of her property. Her neighbor, the younger Miss Melanie, lost her entire house. Still, she has been active in helping Miss Hazel and others in town, as she sorts out what to do to rebuild. She has some insurance money but not enough to rebuild through normal means, even if she could find a builder. The third recipient is an energetic local graphic artist whose house and studio was wiped out by the flood, but who purchased a somewhat intact structure from a neighbor, and needs help setting it in place and making repairs.

Bachman recently returned from Waveland where he inspected each situation with steering committee co-chair and Wayland resident Tom Fay. Bachman’s office is working with Miss Melanie on design plans for an entirely new house while Miss Hazel’s house will need some special care to get it to a level where it can be reused.

Help Needed

The Wayland to Waveland steering committee will be organizing volunteers starting later this month for the October Wave of Relief. An information meeting is tentatively set for mid-August at the Wayland Public Safety Building. Committed volunteers must sign up by mid-to-late September so schedules can be set.

The group also expects to have an active fundraising effort right through the end of the year to help pay for construction materials.

For more information on making the trip yourself, or to make donations, please check out the group’s Web site at www.waylandtowaveland.org.

Above: Ms. Hazel’s house in Waveland, MS was gutted after flood waters from Katrina blew out windows and doors, and soaked wallboard, carpeting and all furnishings. The FEMA trailer she lives in is visible at right. The house was surrounded by bushes and big, billowing trees (including a 100-year-old cypress) prior to the storm.

© 2008 WaylandeNews. All rights reserved. Last updated: Saturday May 03, 2008 12:38 PM.
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