Hurricane recovery slows as funds dwindle

To the Leader-Call

August 24, 2007 11:31 am

— A newly formed non-profit, Finish the Job, is seeking financial support from private and corporate donors nationwide in a grass-roots attempt to place all of Mississippi’s Katrina survivors in safe, secure homes of their own.
Fostered by area long term recovery organizations, Finish the Job seeks to generate a new funding resource for Mississippians who may otherwise be left without help as donated funds from national agencies begin to run low. Katrina damaged homes in Jasper, Jones, Smith, Covington, and Wayne counties will be eligible for help. Tens of thousands of families still need help as they continue living in cramped travel trailers or damaged structures while the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches.
“This is a way we can help our neighbors, even if some sources of funding are running low,” said Michelle Wilson, executive director of Rebuild Jones County.
Finish the Job was established as a fund for the Gulf Coast Community Foundations, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. United Way, many faith-based agencies and individuals from several national relief organizations are also supporting the effort.
Asking every American to give $1 is Finish the Job’s simple approach to raising the millions necessary to continue the recovery effort. Rebuilding from a storm of Katrina’s magnitude is predicted to take at least five years. Both home owners and renters will be eligible for Finish the Job assistance.
The grass-roots fund raising effort is drawing enthusiastic support from volunteers, representing agencies from the Mississippi coast to the state capital, who are giving their talents and time to planning the project. Finish the Job fund will be promoted nationwide.
Finish the Job will introduce its plan and its participating organizations at a Kick Off and Media Conference in Gulfport today from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Harrah’s Entertainment, first floor lobby located at 11975 Seaway Road in Gulfport. Everyone attending is asked to park in the rear parking lot. Master of ceremonies will be Michelle Wilson of Rebuild Jackson County Long Term Recovery Organization.
For more information on the fund visit http://www.finishthejobfund.com