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Ms. Hazel
Preparing to Move Back Into Her House
After 18 Months in a FEMA Trailer
JP Group Helps W2W Finish the Rebuilding
February 26 – The Wayland to Waveland (W2W) Hurricane Katrina Relief group, in partnership with a group from Jamaica Plain these last two weeks, put finishing touches on one of the three October Wave projects in Waveland, MS. The result: 89-year-old Miss Hazel Tracey will be sleeping under her own roof very soon.
Ms. Hazel is getting ready to move back into her home after 18 months living in her FEMA trailer. Thanks to the work of a great crew of professional carpenters, electricians, masons and volunteers, work has progressed enough that Ms. Hazel can finally sleep under her own roof.
Dave Karaus, from Jamaica Plain and his crew spent the last 2 weeks installing new bathrooms and fixtures, tiling, painting, installing new kitchen cabinets and a custom countertop, finishing the electrical and plumbing work so that the power could be turned on.
"All that needs to be done now is to give Ms. Hazel a 'Welcome Home' shower, reports Cindy Lombardo of the Wayland to Waveland Steering Committee. "Look shortly for ways you can help Ms. Hazel replenish items for her home," she said. (The committee is meeting twice this week.)
All the work was completed under the 'Waveland to Waveland' banner. Thanks to everyone who has donated to W2W as the work would not be possible without your generosity.
W2W is accelerating plans for another working visit to Waveland (set for April 1-7) to help finish Ms. Melanie's house, a home reconstruction projects also started in October – this one, from the ground up. Skilled laborers and volunteers are welcome to assist Peter Bachman, from Custom Designs as we try to move the rebuilding of Melanie's house along.
Background
Waveland, MS is Wayland’s sister city. Waveland was ‘ground zero’ for Hurricane Katrina – the point of land over which the hurricane’s eye first crossed into the US. Waveland is only 30 or 40 miles east from New Orleans, just over the state line. It is a small community that once thrived on local industry and tourism.
Wayland to Waveland Hurricane Relief Steering Committee was formed in the fall of 2005 to assist those affected by Katrina, specifically in Waveland. We are committed to support our sister community for the long run.
Fundraising
The group’s fundraising efforts will continue and, in fact, expand as it seeks to take on new rebuilding projects. Contributions will be used to directly support our rebuilding efforts for those most in need in Waveland. Since so many in Waveland did not have flood insurance at the time of the storm, they do not have the means to complete repairs. All contributions are completely tax deductible and can be mailed to the Wayland to Waveland Hurricane Relief Fund, c/o Town of Wayland, Town Building, 41 Cochituate Road.
For more information on the group’s efforts – including more photos and progress reports – see the Web site (www.waylandtowaveland.org).
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