Sister City Greetings To
Waveland, Mississippi
December 2005

Once again, each person we encountered in Waveland asked us to please tell our folks at home in Perryton how much your generosity was appreciated.  Citizens of Perryton can be very proud of our efforts to aid our new friends in Waveland.  The items we took were needed by their community, and they were carefully sorted and delivered to the appropriate places in Waveland.  Thanks to all of the people who donated money, food, personal items, school supplies, household items and tools.  Thanks also to all of the local businesses who helped in this effort by setting up places to donate, delivering items and giving generous discounts that helped the money reach even farther.  Thanks to the numerous volunteers that helped throughout the process and to Hi Plains Hull for their donation of the truck, trailer, driver and fuel.  Way To Go Perryton!!!!  You did a great job!!!

Click Here For Waveland Pictures From Our First Trip In October

Packing and palletizing for our second trip to Waveland.

Loading tools and supplies for delivery to the Emergency Operations Center.

We're just getting started!
 

Every pallet is labeled for its destination.

Lots of great stuff for our friends at St. Clare including 12 dozen children's umbrellas from FBSW.



When we arrived in Waveland on Sunday night, Christian Life Partners was hosting a huge Christmas party for residents of the Gulf Coast.  The event featured live music and a snow machine on the beach.



It was fun to see children playing in snow.  For many it was the first time they had even seen it.


Tents were set up for Waveland and Gulf Coast residents to pick up donated Christmas presents for their families.  Toys were sorted by age and children got tickets as they entered these tents to redeem for goodies.


 

People were having a great time at this event.  The atmosphere was festive and thousands of people were served.
 

Marlon and Marissa even met the Gingerbread Man!


Ken and Dana even met up with the Gingerbread Man.  Even Frosty the Snowman was roaming around somewhere.


Waveland still looked much the same as it had in October even though tons and tons of debris had been removed.

The Waveland Library still has a boat in the front yard.  This lovely building was only three years old.


Santa's helpers Ken Donahue and Marlon Wilcox unload office equipment and tools at Waveland City Hall.

Dana and Marissa take a moment for a photo opportunity with Waveland Mayor Tommy Longo and his son who had just returned to Waveland.

Waveland City Hall Complex, a clean spot in the middle of destruction.

Mayor Tommy Longo and Kathy Pinn at the City Hall Complex.


Playing Santa is GREAT FUN!


 

St. Clare has a new sanctuary on the site of their original building.


St. Clare.
 

St. Clare Principal Mark Cumella and Barbara Landry.

Many of Waveland's residential areas still haven't been cleared of debris.





This family was working to salvage belongings from their home.


This station has a sign that reads, "No More Clothes."  It was the drop off for tons of used clothing that had been donated previously.
 

Louis Dunklin is in charge of the Hancock County Emergency Operations Center.  Earlier relief operations have all been consolidated into this area.  Donations of food, tools and other supplies are delivered here.  Louis then coordinates their delivery to the citizens of the community through churches and civic organizations.

Here is the Hi Plains Hull truck unloading at the EOC.  This facility is much better equipped to receive and store all of the donations that arrive.

Marlon and Marissa wait as the truck is unloaded before heading back to Perryton!

 

Click Here For Additional Waveland Pictures From October