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Restoring Homes and Hope along the Gulf Coast
Keisa Sharpe, Special to Redcross.org
Sunday, August 27, 2006 — BILOXI, Miss. — By all accounts, you’d consider Jim Sullenger a soft-spoken man, but his work and presence in one Mississippi community speaks volumes.
Biloxi, Miss., was hit hard by last year’s tropical storms. Sullenger knows that re-building will take some time and help from partner agencies like the American Red Cross.
Homeowners in Biloxi, Miss., are rebuilding their damaged homes, many with the assistance of non-profit organizatons such as Restoration Point Foundation and the Red Cross.
(Photo Credit: Gene Dailey/American Red Cross)
Photo ID: 35973_036
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It is a hot Thursday in July, and we begin a tour of one of several homes Sullenger’s group, Restoration Point, has helped to refurbish.
Before we peeked inside, Sullenger is greeted by someone he calls his friend—13-year-old Julio and sidekick Jiggles. He teases Julio about a game of softball they recently played. Julio smiles and nods his head in agreement.
Meanwhile, Jiggles reminds us that he deserves just as much, if not more, attention. He wiggles his tail, and melts in the arms of Red Cross worker Brenda Dunn. Dunn is the Community Recovery Supervisor for the Red Cross Hurricane Recovery Program, which is addressing the long-term needs of hurricane survivors.
Sullenger, who says Dunn is like the “disaster Yellow Pages” with a multitude of contacts, talks frequently with her to coordinate resources to help Red Cross clients who need their homes restored. He says that Dunn always keeps them up to date with what’s available—resources including grants and even warehouse space.
Inside a home being built in a workyard, Jim Sullenger of Restoration Point Foundation discusses the process with Brenda Dunn and Keisa Sharpe of the American Red Cross, July 2006 in Biloxi, Miss.
(Photo Credit: Gene Dailey/American Red Cross)
Photo ID: 35973_045 |
That information flow is helping put Julio’s family back into their home. Parents Christina and Juleen Perez have taken up residence in a FEMA trailer, which nearly spans the width of their front yard. They won’t be in a trailer for long though—their move-in date is scheduled for the near future.
Before we go in, Sullenger points to the bright, colorful flowers that were recently planted by a family of volunteers from Jackson. These plants stand about a foot tall displaying splashes of bright gold, summer red and vibrant blue.
Inside the home we see so many signs of life. Our tour takes us to the living area—sprinkled with bottled water, packages of snack chips, nails and small home repair equipment—signs new houseguests have temporarily moved in. Julio’s family knows these visitors bring gifts—like several fresh coats of white paint, new kitchen cabinets and even new tile flooring. Sullenger lights up as he talks about the hard work they’ve done; not far behind Julio, along with Jiggles, surveys the home with a smile.
A short while later we visit another home. The story is much the same at Patsy and Leonard Jordan’s home.
From constructing new walls to fresh coats of paints, homes are being restored in Biloxi, Miss., July 2006.
(Photo Credit: Gene Dailey/American Red Cross)
Photo ID: 35973_041
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Several grandchildren will live with the Jordans, and Sullenger shows us the one thing he built for the kids—a Dutch door. Some may consider it a small addition to the spacious two-story home, but not Sullenger. He knows that whatever piece he builds will go a long way with these homeowners. The Jordan family is away today, as Mr. Jordan has just completed successful heart surgery.
As we leave, Sullenger speaks to one of the curious neighbors from a corner home. The young man watches us, and Jim asks him to watch out for the home. He readily agrees, warmed by Sullenger’s friendly approach.
In other cases, Restoration Point does receive direct referrals for clients from Red Cross caseworkers. An example is an elderly man, a Red Cross client, who had some water damage in his kitchen from the storms. Another upcoming project will involve work in Gulfport.
Restoration Point has thousands of volunteers all over the country. Jim Sullenger is one of many volunteers who making a difference—rebuilding the homes, hearts and spirits along the coast.
To learn more about the ongoing efforts to assist the survivors of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma all along the Gulf Coast by the American Red Cross and its partners, visit Redcross.org. To request more information about its partner, Restoration Point Foundation, email info@restorationpoint.org or call 228-224-1800.
Keisa Sharpe is a communicator with the American Red Cross Hurricane Recovery Program.
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
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