making plans for volunteering in New Orleans

We are well on our way toward the first phase in our adventure.

Even though it has been more than two years since the 2005 hurricanes, the Gulf Coast area is still in disarray. There is sadly a lot of work to be done. We are going to pitch in and do what we can to help.

After finishing up our last day of work on Oct. 19th, we will be driving down to New Orleans to volunteer Oct. 27-Nov. 17.

The organization we will be volunteering with is Hands On New Orleans. They not only work to gut and rebuild homes and school buildings in the Gulf Coast area, but also tutor children in New Orleans; clean, exercise, and entertain the thousands of abandoned animals in shelters throughout the city; provide day-care for volunteer and professional workers; and match up volunteer's professional skills with local non-profit restoration organizations. Our skills and time will be well-used, and Petra's hands won't be destroyed in the process.*

We will be staying in the Hands On housing, which is essentially a giant hostel built in the basement of a large downtown church. It will be tight, but we're used to that.

We're looking forward to getting to do something about this mess we've been hearing about for years, getting our hands dirty with some real and meaningful work, and meeting other volunteers from around the world. We're also excited about exploring this fabled city, eating hot Cajun food, basking in the Gulf sun, and attending the popular First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans.

We'll keep you updated as these plans move along!



*Petra has severe chronic tendinitis in her arms as well as carpal tunnel syndrome, so can't use her hands much at all.