On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina
roared onto The Gulf Coast of The United States and
wrecked havoc on numerous towns & neighborhoods. The
death & destruction that enfolded before our very eyes
over the next few days was almost too much to bear. As
the heart-wrenching news unfolded and while many of us sat
with bated breath waiting for news from our loved ones,
many Americans wondered what we could do to help our
fellow citizens.
After I put the word out, to my
friends, family members, clients, colleagues and neighbors
in Celebration (and my hometown of Lakeland), that my
assistant (and wonderful friend) Tracy's hometown of
Biloxi, Mississippi was devastated, everyone sprung into
action. Soon, my home was completely filled with boxes &
boxes of donated supplies and over $7,000 had been raised
to help the victims in the Biloxi/Gulfport area. Children
handed me their beloved toys and asked me to please give
them to the children of the hurricane; three Celebration
girls (Carly, Carson, & Julia) set up a lemonade stand and
raised $367.14; Sheriff Bernie Pollutro's patrol
car pulled up to my house...packed with supplies
(including items that we gave to the Biloxi police
department); Martin Roberts, Dean Harrison & Pierre LeGere
offered the use of their trucks & trailers; Paul Murray
offered the use of his motor home so someone could have a
roof over their heads; Marge Hooper ran around picking up
donations from local businesses and even brought smoothies
to Tracy & I while we were packing boxes; Michael
Celesky & Kitty Laut started collecting items at their store; Pam Autry
organized a candle-light vigil by the lake so we could let
the victims know that we are here to shine some light on
their sorrow; many people started spreading the word
throughout their places of work and worship; and
people sent words of encouragement to us via e-mail and
phone.
At 3:45 a.m. on September 7th, our
truck left Celebration for Biloxi...loaded down with
supplies. Tracy arrived to find her beloved town in
ruins, with the smell hitting her as hard as the images.
Thankfully, the homes of her parents and her Maw-Maw were
spared major damage and her extended family is staying
with them. Our truck was met with joy and gratitude.
As the weeks and months of recovery
continue from this horrible tragedy, we are going
to supply financial aid and other support to our many
loved ones in the Biloxi area. Many of them lost
everything. We are also sending aid & support to our
friend Bonnie Holley's family who live in Slidell,
Louisiana.
Because
many of our loved ones are fighting with insurance
companies now or have homes that are still under
water, we feel that the best thing that we can provide
for them is financial aid. If you would like to
contribute, please make a check payable to "Tracy
Graham" and send it to 518 Longmeadow Street,
Celebration, FL 34747. We will see that 100% of the
money donated goes directly to the victims of this
horrible tragedy.
I am eternally grateful for
the generous out-pouring of support. All of the
victims continue to be in my thoughts and prayers during
this very difficult time in their lives.
Sandy Harper - Proud
Celebration Resident
