54-year-old Lynda before her makeover.

"I will never forget what Operation Blessing did for me for the rest of my life."

SLIDELL, La. - Lynda is no stranger to tragedy. Hurricane Katrina not only destroyed her home of 27 years and husband Jerry's paint and body shop with nine feet of flood water, but it also claimed the life of her sister.

After relocating to a temporary trailer, Jerry and Lynda were unaware of a faulty pipe that was leaking propane gas into their trailer. On the morning of April 12, 2006, a lighter ignited the gas, resulting in a severe explosion. Jerry helped Lynda escape, but suffered third-degree burns over 40 percent of his body. He died in the hospital a few days later.

When Lynda arrived at the Operation Blessing Command Center in Slidell to request help with fence repairs, OBI staff listened to her story and decided that more than just fence repairs were needed.

"Lynda had been through so much," said Jody Herrington, OBI's U.S. disaster relief director. "And on the anniversary of Katrina, I wanted to take a day that would have been depressing for her and create a day that she would never forget."

OBI staff sent 54-year-old Lynda on a "Queen for the Day" makeover experience that included a visit to a hair and nail salon as well as a dental office where Lynda was fitted with a new set of dentures to replace her set that was destroyed in the explosion.

While Lynda was out, a team of OBI staff and volunteers not only repaired her fence, but they also provided her with a new work shed and stocked it with tools, a work bench, and crafts.

"We found out that she loved wood working and we wanted to help her smile again," Herrington said.

And smile, she did. "I will never forget what Operation Blessing did for me for the rest of my life," Lynda said.

OBI's recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast will remain ongoing through July 2007 and include a free medical and dental clinic, mosquito eradication, house gutting and debris removal, mobile feeding kitchens, and more.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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