Day Four - Thursday

Ruskuls speaking......Colonel's log. Current date October 30, 2008. On board the IAR Gulf Coast Recovery ship. Some of us were amused by the shrimp boil which was had the previous eve'. Others of us tried to escape the nightmares of seeing cooked shrimp with eyeballs glaring at us with the expressions "here's lookin' at you, kid" or "I only have eyes for you."

Thank God for that train, which boldly pronounces it's existence every morning! After shakin' off those shrimply images and waking up for the 4th day in a row before the rest of humanity had been awaken from it's peaceful slumber...we gathered down in the lobby and were off to face another day (warmer...please let it be warmer) on the field. At one point, our ships were separated as partial experiment to see who's voyage route would meet the winds and be taken to our destination the fastest (thus buying us more time to rest in the morning on day 5 potentially). And behold, victory was ours! The HMS RANWC set anchor at about 5 minutes ahead of the other vessels and this with leaving 5 minutes later to boot!

The assignments were reviewed and Kim and I volunteered to remain at camp part of the day and make the commemorative IAR team sign. Why are we making a sign? Check this out!

We spent many hours arguing about design, layout, color swatches, text, what Pauline should make for lunch, why the Cub's didn't win the world series, etc. before we could decide on the making the sign in the shape of Illinois. Here's a video of the sign making process:)

Finished by lunchtime, we stayed to sample Pauline's homemade chicken noodle soup, club sandwiches, and peach cobbler. She really does run "Heaven's Kitchen." :) After fattening up, we packed our ship and set voyage headed back to the Cook house where our crew had been cutting tile, counter top, and hanging cabinets.

This morning we welcomed 4 new volunteers from Los Angeles, CA. Through out the day, Kim thought she knew one of the new volunteers and it was later on in the day that Kim realized who one of the volunteers were. Her name is Carol Potter - but she was better known as "Cindy Walsh" --- from 1990-1998 she played the mother of Brandon and Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills 90210! Kim, an avid tv watcher, was SO excited. After confirming that it was really her, Kim introduced herself and asked for a picture!

She was very nice and had no problem posing for a picture with her. Several other volunteers chatted with Carol. We learned that this is her 5th trip down to Gulfport through Camp Coast Care. She travels down with her church. We are hoping to learn more about her and her work with the Gulf Coast Recovery tomorrow. It truly was a great ending to the work day!!

Our last supper together...at "Lookout 49" conveniently located on Hwy 49 with a breathtaking view of....you guessed it "49." :) Fried pickles, fried corn fritters, fried catfish...oh my!

Day Three - Wednesday

We can’t believe that we are half way done with our journey to help rebuild the Gulf Coast!

Pablo went back his previous assignment to keep going with the projects they have been working on since Monday. To see his video tours of their assignment - click here and/or here!

Kim and Ramona reported back to the flooring house to start work on their kitchen. Camp Coast care was supplying them with their long awaited kitchen cabinets and countertops. Like we said previously, the family has not had cabinets or countertops since before Hurricane Katrina hit.

The most exciting part of the day for Kim and Ramona was when they were both able to use power tools! Click on their names above to see their experience!



After the work was done we were invited by the Gulfport Association of Realtors® invited our group to a Shrimp Boil at the Long Beach Yacht club. The weather was a little chilly (although not as chilly as Chicago!) but a great time was had. The shrimp were the best shrimp we have had all trip. There is nothing better then fresh shrimp. You also couldn’t beat the scenery. We were right on the Gulf at sunset. After the good a campfire was started. It was a great end to a great night.

Below are some pictures of our dinner with the Gulfport Association.

Day Two - Tuesday

The second day proved to be just as helpful and exciting as day one.

Pablo, Ramona and Kim were each at different sites today.

Pablo was at the general contractor labor site. This includes painting, flooring, electrical, etc. Joining him were several other IAR members. They have accomplished so much in this house. The house they are working on currently is not occupied by a family – but they are close in a Fema trailer. Yes, 3+ years’ later people are STILL living in Fema trailers. Our work will get them back into their houses a lot sooner!

Ramona was assigned to kitchen/housekeeping duties. This included helping the cook prepare lunch and dinner, cleaning the on-site facilities and just other general kitchen/cleaning duties. Although this job doesn’t seem to be the most important job in helping the recovery efforts, without this camp many of the volunteers would have no where to stay. Many volunteers stay at the camp for a minimal donation. There are bunk beds and common bathrooms to use and food served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The site has housed hundreds on volunteers; some of who have been here 5, 6, and 7 times within the last 3 years.

Kim went back to the day one house and helped put the rest of the flooring in the remaining 3 bedrooms. After removing all the trim from every bedroom, Kim had the task removing all the nails from every piece of trim.

3 hours later….the task was done! We thought it was an impossible task to get the padding and flooring laid but all three bedrooms were done – thus completing the flooring in the whole house!


For dinner that evening – the whole group went to Salute – the Italian restaurant right next door to our hotel. The food was fantastic.

All 15 of us were handled by one waiter – Justin. He was amazing! It was a nice way to wind down the day.

Day One

Welcome to Gulfport, Mississippi. After waking up to a beautiful sunrise we headed off to Camp Coast Care.

We were greeted by several other voluteer groups from all over the county along with several staff members from Camp Coast Care. After a short introduction, we got to volunteer for 3 different projects: Ground upkeep on the camp grounds; Flooring; or Misc. home work.

While Pablo Ayala decided to go with the misc. home work - Ramona, Kim, and her husband Bill went to the flooring site.

After arriving at the house and greeted by the homeowners we surveyed the house and got a feel for what we were in store for. We quickly began to take up the flooring in the living room, hallway and family room. After a quick demo - we found some surface mold which we quickly cleaned up.

We also got to walk around the neighborhood and saw, sadly, some abandon houses in the midst of the rest of the neighborhood being upkept and worked on. For the rest of the day padding and flooring was successfully layed in the 3 rooms.

We also had some time to get to know the homeowners. Their story, as so many others, was heartbreaking. When Hurricane Katrina was coming,they left their home and went to a relatives house in the country. Shortly after arriving, the Buyou flooded therefore flooding their safety house. With little children on their shoulders and water up to their neck - they walked away from all their possessions. No photos, clothes, or any other material items were saved. They had the clothes on their back and their family to rely on.

Now three years later and with little money from Fema and miscellounous grants, their house is able to be lived in but they are missing the simple things in every house. Enough towels for the whole family (there are 8 of them in the house), silverware, pots and pans, a dvd player and so much more. With a little help from us, some of those items were purchased to start them back on the road we are all accustomed to.

Now after two more hurricanes, the house is still in trouble. They have no kitchen cabinets or countertops and needed new flooring. Thanks to the people at Camp Coast Care - they will now be getting all of those items.

Some of our crew will be at the house all week to help finish the flooring and hopefully start the kitchen project.