Katrina Volunteers Call Mississippi Home

From Fox-

Five years after Hurricane Katrina, many of the volunteers who responded to the Mississippi coast for temporary relief projects have become permanent residents.

"When I first came down, it was right after the storm," said Matt Walenciak, who originally came as part of a college volunteer project. "People have lost everything -- their houses, their cars, their jobs, even family members. And they would just welcome you with open arms. They'd scrap together whatever money they could to buy food to feed the volunteers that were down there."
The hospitality, gratitude and self-reliance exhibited by Mississippi residents in the wake of Katrina also inspired Andrew Thompson to stay on the coast, where he eventually met his wife Kathryn, a fellow volunteer.

"Seeing people who we've helped build their house turn around and want to help us with other people's houses, that was really a turning point," Mr. Thompson said. "Instead of everybody (needing) help, they're starting to help each other."

Thompson and Walenciak have been rebuilding and repairing storm-ravaged homes through Mission on the Bay, a joint program by the Episcopal and Lutheran churches to coordinate volunteers in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. It was one of the last remaining volunteer camps in the area. But over the weekend, Mission on the Bay will be closing its doors as well.


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http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/08/29/katrina-volunteers-call-mississippi-home/#ixzz0y5rrW0nt