David Campbell and Hands On

Here is the video (maybe I should say an audio, the quality of video is poor) of David's presentation that is mentioned in the Buffalo News article.


The Buffalo News: Buffalo/Erie County:

"When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast almost two years ago, they were there to answer the call for help.

When an earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Java on May 27, 2006, they arrived three days later to start the rebuilding process.

And the next time a disaster occurs, they will be there again to pick up the shattered pieces and weather the storm.

These people are the fabric of Hands On Worldwide, a U.S.- based nonprofit organization with Western New York leadership. Its chief executive officer and co-founder is Amherst native David Campbell."

and later:

"Hands On USA was launched less than a year later when the organization sent more than 1,500 volunteers to Biloxi, Miss., after Hurricane Katrina. This group included significant Western New York participation from student and faculty volunteers from St. Bonaventure University and Alfred State College."

Cross posted on BonaResponds blog as well

Hands On Blog » Blog Archive » Dear Friends…

I just realized that I never blogged this! It is from Carrie who left Handson after an amazing stay!
Hands On Blog » Blog Archive » Dear Friends…:

"I am very excited about the work and trajectory of Hands On Gulf Coast and know that we are setting ourselves up to be a long term, sustained presence in this community. It has been a privilege to work with such an inspired and committed group of individuals. So many people have given this the best of themselves towards this effort, and I know will continue to do so. Our little experiment in the Gulf has shown me that it is possible for this many people to come together and work and love so hard to build and sustain something they believe in. A place whose message ministers to our souls in the deepest sense and keeps people coming back."

Follow the link, there is much more!

Bye Carrie, you will be missed!

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: New Senior Village Dedicated In Biloxi

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: New Senior Village Dedicated In Biloxi:

"The neatly manicured affordable retirement home is on the eastern tip of Biloxi's $36 million Hope VI community. A ribbon cutting ceremony officially opened the Biloxi Housing Authority's 76 unit living center for area retirees."

Post-Traumatic Stress Spikes In New Orleans - Yahoo! News

Post-Traumatic Stress Spikes In New Orleans - Yahoo! News:

"About 38 percent of people who were evaluated in New Orleans emergency rooms have post-traumatic stress disorder, a study has found.

That's 10 times the prevalence of the disorder in the general population.

Researchers said that Hurricane Katrina was one of the most significant natural disasters in U.S. history."

New Casino in Biloxi

City of Biloxi - Gulf Coast Mississippi:

"Harrah’s Entertainment and world-renowned singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett joined Mayor A.J. Holloway and Gov. Haley Barbour this morning to unveil plans for Margaritaville Casino & Resort, a $700-million-plus investment that will be on Casino Row in Biloxi and represents the single largest investment in Mississippi since Hurricane Katrina. The company expects this to be the first phase of a development that may cost more than $1 billion.

Construction of Margaritaville is expected to begin this summer with a target completion date of Spring 2010."

Bishop Responds to St. Paul Suit - Technology - RedOrbit

Bishop Responds to St. Paul Suit - Technology - RedOrbit:

"Bishop Thomas J. Rodi says he is deeply saddened by a lawsuit filed by more than 100 members of Holy Family Parish, formerly St. Paul Parish in Pass Christian. The suit, filed May 1, names Rodi, the Diocese of Biloxi and Holy Family pastor the Rev. Dennis Carver as defendants.

The bishop declined an interview Friday, but his official response, 900-plus words, was published in Friday's edition of the Gulf Pine Catholic, the diocese's official newspaper. We reprint it with permission today at the Sun Herald Web site.

The lawsuit asks the court to compel the diocese to rebuild the church on the beach and get an accounting of donations made to the church after Hurricane Katrina."

Dr. Bob makes it in the Sun Herald!

An editorial from the Sun Herald:

" EDITORIAL
SUN HERALD South Mississippi's Newspaper
Posted on Tue, Apr. 24, 2007

PROJECT RECOVERY DESERVES A REPRIEVE

We wholeheartedly endorse the sentiments of Dr. Robert Titzler, medical director of Bethel Free Medical Clinic in Biloxi, as expressed in a letter published on Friday:

"April 27 will be a sad and disappointing day for hundreds of residents of South Mississippi. On that day FEMA will defund Project Recovery, and this valuable and effective program will be forced to shut down. Project Recovery has been helping people find ways to cope with the stress caused by Katrina. It has done so in an effective and efficient manner by providing free crisis counseling services... at sites other than the mental health clinics.

"For the past year, I have been working at the free medical clinic located in the Bethel Lutheran Church ... . Over 80 percent of the persons who seek help here are suffering the effects of profound personal losses, sleeplessness, homelessness, anxiety about what the future holds for them, and domestic strife. While these are common issues in all communities and families, they are not usually complicated and exacerbated by the worst natural disaster in American history and in the face of a serious deficiency of readily available help in coping. Our coastal communities are, in my view, facing an epidemic of post-traumatic stress syndrome, the dimensions of which are only now, 19 months after Katrina's visit, beginning to be appreciated. In no way is this aspect of the 'crisis' over. The federal government, through FEMA, appears to have decided that it is over, and that Project Recovery is no longer necessary or effective. I want to bear witness and testimony to the contrary."

Project Recovery should be granted a reprieve."