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Hope in the Tragedy of Katrina
by Holly Blankenship
January 01, 2010 - Who was not glued to their TV for days horrified by the devastation brought on by Hurricane Katrina. Many of us had friends and family either running from the Gulf Coast or preparing to face the storm and then waiting days afterwards to here from them desperately waiting to know if they were okay.
I have two great Aunts living on social security that were left with only the clothes on their backs like so many Katrina victims – all their possession gone and no home to return to even if they could go home. I have felt helpless in what I could do to help the victims of Katrina. I would love to provide hands on help to the devastated region like some of my neighbors who went to deliver supplies and help rescue animals. Alas, I have two small children who keep me tied to home. But thanks to the effort of Elizabeth Evans and her team, she has provided us with an opportunity to help out a fellow mother in need, a survivor of Katrina.
Many of you have had the opportunity to meet Linnie “Button” Morant and her four adorable children, Jarona, 13; Constaleen, 7; Constanteena, 4; and Constantine, 3 and hear their story at our Monday night meeting in September. She barely escaped her flooded apartment building with her four children by breaking a window and swimming to safety when it flooded in less than 30 minutes. What courage and quick thinking it took to save her family from the rising waters that claimed 32 of the 96 tenets in her building. What Katrina took away from the Morant family, hopefully we can give back like a home, beds, clean sheets, clothes and most of all hope.
They are well on their way to growing roots here. The kids have scholarships for school this year. The two older children are attending the Wilmington Friends School, and the two younger children are attending St. Mark's preschool. Buttons has been busy trying to find a house, so they can move out of their two hotel rooms at the Courtyard by Marriott on Van Campen Blvd. where they have been living. She finds it funny when potential landlords ask for past housing references when her whole town was washed away and there is no one to contact. But things are looking promising and hopefully soon they will have a house.
Buttons and her kids have thoroughly enjoyed the meals that have been brought to them, and said it seam like each meal gets more elaborate. They are very grateful for all we have done as an organization. She told me she is making sure everyone hears about what a great group Mothers & More is.
The idea of being left with nothing but the clothes on your back is unfathomable. But we can help Button’s and her kids turn a tragedy into a new beginning with a future of possibilities. Below is a list of their current needs and check out the following website http://www.jenerationz.com/Morant%20Family/morantfamily.htm to keep tabs on the Morants as they make Wilmington their home.
How you can help:
· Provide a meal (contact the care committee)
· Invite Buttons and her kids out for a playdate
· Ask your friends, family, or business contacts if they can help us with our effort
Current Needs:
· 4-bdrm Sec. 8 rental home in good neighborhood for kids
· 4 dressers
· living room chairs
· kids furniture/accessories
· sheets, blankets, comforters
· occasional tables
· porch/patio furniture
· bicycles for girls ages 4 & 7
· female-friendly lawnmower
· computer and printer
· gas cards
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