Friday, March 6, 2009

Great American Cleanup Part 2

Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast community of Waveland in August of 2005. Although tremendous progress has been made, there is still much to be done. You may click here to see some photos of the damage done in Waveland.

As I wrote in the post yesterday, Karen and I spent most of our time at the Great American Cleanup in Waveland at the Gex playground working on cleanup and beautification of the premises. We got started around 9:30, took a break for lunch, and worked in the afternoon until almost 5 pm! We were so tired at the end of the day-but it was a good kind of tired!
In addition to cleaning up trash and debris from the playground, we helped with lots of other projects throughout the day.

These pictures show a little of what we spent our time doing. We helped other volunteers cover the dirt in the playground area with mulch.We helped build a brand new gazebo by holding ladders, boards, and nails for those hammering.

We filled the planters in the gazebo with soil and flowers.
We helped lay stepping stones made by area school children by filling in around the stones with soil.

And, most importantly-we made lots of new friends as we worked with others such as these two young men from the Gulf Coast. In this picture they had just uncovered the Survivor Bunny from a pile of debris.

They placed the rabbit on this stump as an encouragement for us all...and soon he was decorated with his own set of Mardi Graz beads also found on the playground.
Other groups that worked with the cleanup project went around and gathered trash and debris from the streets of Waveland. You can click here to read about some unusual objects that have been found on clean up days in the past.
Wouldn't it be handy to have one of these machines the next time you wanted to plant a tree?
These palm trees were planted at the Veterans Memorial on the beach with the help of the machine. In addition sod, shrubs and flowers were added. Before the day was over, a fountain, which had been damaged by Katrina, was working once again!

I could go on and on with pictures and stories of our day, but I think you get the general idea. We really enjoyed being part of a group of volunteers that made a big difference in a short amount of time. This is only because everyone was working together and doing whatever they were capable of doing. It left us with a sense of satisfaction to actually see a project completed.

If you are interested in finding out more about Keep America Beautiful and what you can do in your area, click here. Then find your state and you should see a list of contact people and events near you.

There are two more Great American Cleanup national events planned-one in New York City on April 22 (wouldn't that be fun!!!), and one in Nashville Tennessee on May 14th.

Thanks for stopping by for part 2!

11 comments:

SmilingSally said...

What a wonderful thing this is to give your time (and back!) to such a worthy cause.

April said...

Diane~
My hat goes off to you for participating in such a selfless project! You're awesome!!!

Blondie's Journal said...

Diane,

I loved seeing the second part of your volunteer work. You know how much I think of you for doing this, you are truly a special person!

xoxo
Jane

Lorrie said...

What a great event to participate in Diane. I know what you mean about a good kind of tired. Sounds you got so much accomplished.

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Hi Diane, I've been trying to leave you a comment, but blogger hasn't been cooperating! LOL! The park is really pretty and what a wonderful effort you and the other volunteers made! Great job, it looks wonderful! ~hugs, Rhonda :)

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh Diane what a wonderful thing you did to give your time and help just great BRAVO!! dear friend..hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Diane, this is such a great thing for you to do! I loved seeing both days of your cleanup work. It made me tear up again seeing you and the other volunteers making such a difference in Waveland. I'm proud of you! :-)

XO,

Sheila

Simply Debbie said...

DIANE,
GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL WORK YOU HAVE DONE TO MAKE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS BRIGHTER....OUT OF EVERYTHING UGLY SPROUTS A BEAUTY THAT ONLY GOD CAN ORCHRESTATE THROUGH HEARTS THAT WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
I AM SO HONORED TO KNOW YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND.
I HAVE RELATIVES THAT WORK THROUGH THE BAPTIST MENS ASSOCIATION THAT HAS BEEN ALL OVER LA., MISSISSIPPI, DOING WHAT THEY CAN...WHAT IS NEEDED.
BLESSINGS
HUGS
debbie

xinex said...

Hi Diane, how wonderful to see people come together to help and how nice of you and your friend to be amongst them. Love the flowers and I have a lot of flowers that I would like to grow. I love orchids especially but I am still having a tough time growing them....Christine

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Fabulous post Diane!

You are so good to help out -- and thanks for the link as I'll see if I can do the same here in NYC thsi April!

Hugs, Pat

Anonymous said...

Diane,
On behalf of the residents of Waveland, Mississippi and Hancock County, I extend my thanks and gratitude to you, Karen and the many other volunteers that have assisted us here on the coast. Firsthand, I can tell you that our level of recovery would not be possible without the kind hearted and generous individuals such as you. What a blessing it was to meet you and Karen at the KAB day in Waveland. I thank God for folks like the two of you. You are appreciated. May God Bless you!