Update from Pearlington Project Coordinator, Tom Dalessandri

Greetings Pearlington Fans

This is day four back in Pearlington. As usual, there is just not enough time to get done all that I need to do while I'm here. The latest is as follows:

Thur. - Met with the Dawsey's, their cousin Jesse Woods is doing their electrical and he is doing a great job. Johnny, Evelyn and Holly are helping out pulling wire (as is JL). They finished the porch we were working on from the last trip and it looks great. Johnny's hand is healing, although he can't move a couple fingers (skill saw accident). We purchase some additional building materials and they are doing well. With plumbing help, the sheetrock will be ready to go up anytime. Thur. nite, I attended the bi-weekly recovery meeting in the mess tent. Laurie, Larry R. Glen Locklin, Joe Keyes, and several other group representatives were present updating everyone on their progress and communicating cooperative information. It was a good meeting and things are progressing.

Fri. - I met with the Salvation Army as I previously applied for an equipment grant and was approved. We now have some power tools and building supplies to help us carry out our job more efficently. As always they are great folks. They also informed me that they approved the Everett Cook grant for building materials.

Sat. - I attended the memorial service for Raymond Diaz. The turnout was very good and Tim Goodnow came down from Atlanta as well as Jennifer Johnson. Tim spoke of Raymond with great heart and the service was up beat as everyone spoke of Raymond's open heart and spirit. Laurie and I met to further discuss the developments for Denise Swanson, Everett Cook and the Earle family. Work has already begun on the foundation for Denise Swanson thanks to Laurie and Larry.

After the service Tim Goodnow and I met to coordinate our teams on continued work. We hope to continue our work together sharing resources and teams.

I met with Sandra Merle to further our discussion on her home. My utmost priority is to get Sandra's house framed up by the end of the March trip. In order to do this, we will need help and coordination. We are way behind on her home and I'm feeling very anxious to get back on track. She remains upbeat and positive in her belief in me/us that we can make this happen...and we can!

Sun - Laurie and I visited Sandra again and on Monday, Laurie and I will review all of Sandra's previous documentation in hopes of getting her a building permit. Laurie feels pretty good about this, as do I.

Tim asked me to visit Russell Barnhardt regarding a tree that needs to come down. We will need another team of tree cutters for a growing number of standing dead and dangerous trees. Ron and I have already briefly discussed this and we will see how this will work in the not too distant future.

I leave for home early Wed. morning. Things are progressing and hope is high as we move toward spring.

Thanks again for everyone's support.

Tom

Update from Pearlington Project Coordinator, Tom Dalessandri

This has been a very busy two weeks for us and Pearlington. Probably as busy as it has been in six months.
There is a resurgence of interest and coordination in part out of necessity for groups to come together due to a lack of skilled labor and volunteers.

Here is the synopsis:

- Dawsey's Find electrician and complete electrical- Warren Tidwell is helping from Atlanta. Dawsey's have a friend who has committed to the work but hasn't showed up yet. Plumbing at the Dawsey's-trouble finding a plumber but Warren feels optimist that he can find a plumber easier than an electrician. Either way we will need to pay for this out of AmeriCares. Once done with these utilities, sheetrocking the entire house is next and hopefully we should be ready by March. They have all but finished their porch needing only to hang the shingles at this time. I'm not sure where they are on kitchen cabinets, appliances.

- Shirley Thompson We just need to get a small finishing crew in there for some minor electrical work and odd jobs then she is ready for flooring, cabinets, doors etc. Her place is really close and I think we could finish it rather quickly if we concentrated there for a few days.

- Sandra Merla Continues to be a concern for me because we are behind. I had hoped we would have framed in her home and reset the footings at this point but we haven't. A real focus needs to occur here to formulate a plan, get the materials and put a focused crew on catching up. Laurie Spaschak has referred me to the building inspector for Hancock Co. who she feels will be helpful.

- Everett Cook This was a big concern as an additional project but it is coming together nicely thanks to Laurie S, John Livingston, Rich Taylor, Jon White , and others. The SV grant has been resubmitted yesterday showing us as the sponsor and if materials arrive by this weekend Laurie has a crew ready to move. Following up will be Rich Taylor's crew in Feb. and us in March.

- Earl family They are related to the Cooks and need a new home ground up. Not sure what we will be doing here yet but Laurie is working on a Camp Coastal home.

- Denise Swanson family We've gotten her old house plans and I have spoken with Denise over the phone. Laurie plans on visiting her in detail to see where she stands. She may also be a candidate for Camp Coastal or the Walls of Hope .

- Diaz With Raymond's passing things will be on hold for period of time until Cindy can decide how she would like to proceed. I am continuous communication with Tim Goodnow on the Diaz family.

- Sam Bailey -- Progress is slow but the Santa Cruz group did a great job cleaning up debris and so there is some vision here. We will continue to work with Sam on his planning but much prep. work needs to be done before we begin reconstruction help. This one will take some time.

Others on the list for final touch up and detail work.

Debbie Sonnier
Lena Macullis
Ben & Sue Taylor
Jon & Nan Givens
Dennis & Ivy Watson


I was a bit overwhelmed earlier in the week, but things are coming together now with the help of our friends from all around the country. Special Thanks to the following;

Ben & Sue Taylor
Jon White-Canada
Eileen Powers-Canada
John Livingston
Rich Taylor
Tim Goodnow
Warren Tidwell
Laurie Spaschak
Gene Butterfield
Kim Purcell
Jerry Carey

And all the others who have helped put our plans into play this past couple of weeks. Alone we can move a mound - together we can move a mountain.

Tom