The Giving Circle, Inc

Spring 2009 Volunteer Trips to Waveland

July 2009: We are back from the trip to Waveland to finish Mr. Ernest's house and fulfill his dream of having his home rebuilt. Sadly, Mr. Ernest passed away in May, but his family is home again..

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scq8P-GW1DA

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY_SpaO-DYc

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March 2009:

WLOX News Report: Giving Circle Spring Break volunteers

Phi Kaps Rebuild RPI student volunteers
Benefaction Skidmore Student voluteers

Notes from "Granny" in Waveland:

March 9, 2009: VOLUNTEERS ROCK
"this is a pix of ernest...the ole man that the volunteers r helpin,,,he feel and broke his him,,,and now he and his son and family all r living in a mema cottage,,,which the city will take from them soon....i told them to sit on the porch and dont get off when they try to move the cottage,,,,that is what i did with fema and almost got put in jail...but it worked for me...

this is his house,,,he was livin in until he fell and broke his hip...

the pixs here r the volunteers workin on ernest house....these guys r workin strong...like the army....lol

as i prepare the gumbo and potato salad for tonite,,,a thought pass through my feeble ole brain,,,these young kids dont have a clue how much they empower people here....when i talked to ole ernie,,,even though he has gone through a lot,,,he was smiling and telling me all that the volunteers were doing...he told me how the kids came to visit him yesterday,,,and brought him a get well card....he is very excieted....and feeling the spirit that the volunteers pass on to us...so i pass it on to the SOLDIERS...and hope they feel empowered as well....

what a granny adventure i am having this week,,,"

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March 9, 2009: QUEEN FOR A DAY
"juliann and tiana came over today....2 precious girls,,,2 beautiful volunteers...they made me queen for a day...i had to best time...as an ole lady,,,i got to boss them around all day. they helped me get things done that have been difficult for me to get done in my home. lifting heavy things in my yard,,,and putting up my flags on my deck...but the most fun was getting to know them. they r sr.s and will graduate from college,,,and shared with me there dreams and what they wanted to do after college....both r very intelligent and what ever they choose to do in the years comin up,,,they will do well...it was enlightening to me that they wanted to travel and have expeirance ,,,meeting people...learnin about customs and how others live in other states. then i showed them a lil bout cajun cookin..and today, they r gonna come and cook for the other volunteers that r here helpin others....i have to work,,and when i get home they will have most of the cookin done...it was so much fun having someone to cook with,,,talk to,,,,and being a queen for a day...it really felt good,,,,grannyhugs yall

March 15, 2009: hey y'all,,,

yall kept me up past my bed time last nite,,,i never stay up that late,,,but the good news is i dont have to go to work today....yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa....i got this email from jamie wimbish...and wanted to pass it on to all of yall....

"granny here are a few pica. i thank god for them. they are a blessing. mr ernest cooked them lunch today the amish are going to put my siding on next week"

i am gonna go there today for a visit with them....

i think u have all helped mr. ernest so much in so many ways....and his family...he will have a greater quailty of life now and probably will talk about your visit for the rest of his life...

they to are grateful to all of yall for your help....i took this pix of everyone here last nite and gonna frame it and put it on my wall....

i have enjoyed every min. of your visit here....and thank you mark for letting me be a part of the giving circle....it is another way i can pay my blessings forward...and i have had a bunch of blessings....

what a beautiful granny adventure i have had this whole week,,,,