Disaster ReBuilders helping families recover after Ida from new base in Hammond, Louisiana
Photo: Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders Director Bart Tucker (right) with AmeriCorps volunteers in Hammond, Louisiana. Photo courtesy David Danel
Disaster ReBuilders helping families recover after Ida from new base in Hammond, Louisiana
HAMMOND, Louisiana — The Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders are shutting down their Texas operation at the end of this month, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be busy, They have continuing operations in Southwestern Louisiana to help families recover from the busy 2020 hurricane season that pummeled the region, and they are still doing Hurricane Florence recovery in North Carolina.
Now, they have a second base in Southeastern Louisiana to help families impacted by Hurricane Ida, which slammed the region last month. They’ve set up shop in Hammond, Louisiana — something that quickly facilitated because The Fuller Center for Housing has a long-standing presence in Hammond with one of its most successful covenant partners, Ginger Ford Northshore Fuller Center for Housing. The Disaster ReBuilders and Ginger Ford Northshore will be working closely together to help families.
Disaster ReBuilders Director Bart Tucker said they are ready to begin hosting volunteers immediately and that they will be staying at Hammond’s First Presbyterian Church, which has hosted Fuller Center volunteers in the past and has long been a good friend of The Fuller Center’s ministry. Their pastor, the Rev. Barry Chance, has served on multiple Fuller Center work sites — including on Global Builders trips to Nicaragua. After a brief power outage following the hurricane, the church again has electricity, showers, wi-fi, air-conditioning and more amenities that are sure to be appreciated by volunteers after a long day of service.
“Our volunteer quarters at First Presbyterian Church in Hammond are outstanding, especially considering the damage and problems that Ida has caused throughout the region” Tucker said. “We are currently hosting a FEMA team and hope to have an AmeriCorps group, as well. With AmeriCorps, we will be clearing debris, mucking out houses and tarping roofs. We’re looking for additional hosting sites so that we can accommodate even more volunteer teams. Hammond also provides easy access down I-55 to LaPlace, a community completely devastated by several feet of flooding.”
He said there is an additional bonus for volunteers coming to help.
“Hammond also is the site of Operation BBQ, which plans to serve up thousands of barbecue dinners,” he said.
Registration is now open for team who want to work in Hammond. You can see FAQs about the project and find the registration link at FullerCenter.org/Disaster-ReBuilders.
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Disaster ReBuilders FAQs and registrations
Hammond Star report on Disaster ReBuilders in the city
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