Sometimes I don’t need to go too far to get an idea for a column, and this week I only needed to go down the block to the home of Gwen and Mike Heine and their daughters Leanne and Alison.
Alison Heine was one of several young people and adults from the Riverside Presbyterian Church’s Youth Group who traveled to Gulf Port, Miss. to work on a home left ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. A year after the storm, the house was still inhabitable.
The home’s owner had been in Iraq and his family had stayed elsewhere until their house became livable. The corps of workers took a week to clean out the house and rip out the walls, almost completely gutting it. The group did “odds and ends,” as Alison referred to them, as well as painting.
Their home-away-from-home was a Presbyterian church that had been transformed into living quarters, with bunk beds where Sunday School classes are held and outdoor showers constructed by college students.
Alison talked about the nearby Long Beach area, which had once been a beautiful spot for residents and visitors. The beachfront homes were no longer-all that was left were the steps leading up to what once a thriving business area. Now it’s just rubble.
She remarked seeing a sign for the Waffle House. All that was left of that restaurant, whose many eateries are popular in the South, was the sign itself. She further noted, “There is so much to do that it will take years to finish.”
While some businesses are open, Long Beach is also getting pressure from the casino city of Gulfport. Gulfport has offered assistance to Long Beach, but would want to build casinos in the area. It’s an idea that does not sit well with the residents of Long Beach.
My question to Alison was if she had seen the presence of any government-she replied, no. She could not stress enough her concern for the family they helped and what would have happened to them if they had not come and helped. She added, “The experience was very impacting on the family, but also on us.”
Following her return home, Alison began to prepare for her first year at Tulane University where her sister, Leanne, will begin her junior year. She said the work of helping victims of Katrina will continue for her and other students at Tulane as some fulfill the university’s graduation requirement to be involved.
The Riverside Presbyterian Church’s Youth Group has for many years gathered young people from the area during summer break to travel to different parts of the country and provide help for those who are in need in some way or another. Those interested in learning more about the group and their worthwhile work can contact the Presbyterian Church.
Picture this
Husband Joe and I each have a picture on display this month at the Oakbrook Library. The pictures were taken at the Mayslake Peabody Estate as entries in their annual photo contest. Though ours did not win, it was nice to have them selected to be on display. I would have been happy to sign autographs the day we went to see the pictures, but nobody asked-oh, well!
Speaking of pictures, did you notice? It was about time. Thank you, Frank Pinc. Your pictures probably would have won in the photo contest. I’m just happy you took a new pic of me for this column. Same column, new picture, same me, hair a bit lighter. When you see me, I’ll tell you where the picture was taken.