OBI, AmeriCorps Partner to Repair Roofs
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Ariel photo of blue tarps on damaged homes
 AmeriCorps
volunteers lay a blue tarp on a roof
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Slidell, LA – Blue is the color of hope for residents
of Slidell, Louisiana. From the sky, the ground is littered with debris and mud – nature’s
remnants left behind from Katrina’s flood waters. But not all of Slidell is colorless,
thanks to a team of volunteers from Operation Blessing and AmeriCorps. Blue tarp roofs are being plastered on nearly 300 homes, part of a combined effort
between Operation Blessing, AmeriCorps, the Christian Contractors’ Association
and the city of Slidell. After crews remove fallen trees and other major debris, tarps
are secured onto roofs to help prevent further damage. Residents are finding the quick response of these teams a welcomed alternative to
waiting for weeks with no help or paying inflated prices of local contractors. One
school teacher was charged over $11,000 for tree removal – almost four times
the regular cost. When the chief of police obtained her work order, he forwarded it
to Operation Blessing who cleared the debris, free of charge. “We’re able to handle those jobs and respond to the needs quickly,” said
Sam Constantine, construction coordinator for Operation Blessing. “I can’t
describe in words how rewarding it’s been to be able to do this for them.” As work orders continue to pour in and AmeriCorps sends more teams of volunteers,
Operation Blessing and its partners are committed to staying on site until the job
is done. “We’ve got a six month lease,” said Constantine. “We’re
not going anywhere.” And for that, the community is grateful. When residents spot volunteers they are quick
to offer hugs and food discounts at local restaurants. “We’re in a favorable
position with the city,” said Constantine. “They’re always telling
us how much they appreciate what we’re doing.” How You Can Help You can take part in Operation Blessing's ongoing disaster response
efforts by making an online donation
to help those affected by the hurricanes in the Gulf Coast.
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