As we have written in previous messages about the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the road to recovery along the Gulf Coast will be long. The response by Episcopal school communities in the immediate aftermath of the storm was grace-filled and generous, a true exemplar of their Episcopal identity and the call “to serve Christ in all persons….” Your help is needed for the long-term recovery and rebuilding of affected Episcopal schools and the lives of their leaders, faculties, staffs, students and families.
Many school leaders from
around the country have
contacted NAES for information about entering into a partnership with affected schools. Below is information regarding the specific forms of assistance and partnership affected schools now need, as well as who at the school you should contact in order to establish a partnership. We and the affected schools ask that you contact the schools directly before you send any form of assistance.
You will note that many of the schools’ requests take the form of cash or gift cards. These types of assistance allow schools to respond to changing situations as needed and can aid the rebuilding of local businesses and merchants. Also, reduced student populations due to evacuation are making it difficult for schools to maintain faculty salaries and benefits.
As for shipments of supplies, the logistical and storage issues surrounding these deliveries can be difficult and overwhelming, hence the requests for cash and gift card assistance. The affected schools thank you for your understanding and your trust in their stewardship of your gifts.
Please note that not all gulf coast schools have yet been able to respond to our request for information. NAES will update this announcement as additional information becomes available.
Coast Episcopal School,
Long Beach, MS
Clelie McCandless, Chaplain, reports that 85% of the faculty and 70% of students/families lost everything. Needs include:
- Cash gifts.
- Gift cards from Walmart or Lowe’s Home Center.
- Student and faculty penpal relationships.
- Your purchase of Story of a Storm, a picture book by Reona Visser and the children of Coast Episcopal School about the hurricane and its effects. Proceeds benefit the hurricane relief fund of the school. Available online at http://www.storyofastorm.com.
- The school’s telephone number is 228.452.9442.
- The school’s web site is http://myweb.cableone.net/coast/.
The Little School at St. Martin’s,
Metairie, LA
Michele Beauchamp, Director, reports that the school was spared damage, but has incurred great financial losses, resulting in the postponement of a new 2 year old program. 50% of faculty members lost everything. Needs include:
- Cash gifts.
- Gift cards from Walmart or Lowe’s Home Center.
- The school’s telephone number is 504.835.9964.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School,
New Orleans, LA
Gary J. Mannina, Headmaster, reports that only 30% of pre-Katrina child care facilities in New Orleans have re-opened, making difficult or impossible for parents to return to work and their homes. St. Andrew’s is attempting to identify property to establish a day care program to help the community and enable folks to return. Needs include:
- Cash gifts and supplies to establish this program.
- The school’s telephone number is 504.861.3743.
- The school’s web site is http://www.standrews.k12.la.us/.
St. Augustine’s Episcopal School, Metairie, LA
Joy B. Roques, Director, reports that the school’s major loss was financial, with 50% of families needing tuition waivers and the cancellation of important fundraisers crucial to the school’s finances. Needs include:
- Cash gifts for the continuation of school operations and student/family aid.
- The school’s telephone number is 504.887.3365.
- The church’s/school’s web site is http://www.staugustinesmet.org.
St. George’s Episcopal School,
New Orleans, LA
Robert E. Eichberger, Ed.D., Headmaster, reports that, as of January, the school is experiencing a reduced enrollment of 20% and that the school’s capital campaign has been sacrificed. Needs include:
- Cash gifts for the continuation of school operations and student/family aid.
- The school’s telephone number is 504.891.5509.
- The school’s web site is http://www.stgeorgesepiscopal.com/content/home.html.
St. John’s Episcopal School,
Ocean Springs, MS
Kay Woods, Director, reports that the preschool/kindergarten and church suffered minimal damage and were able to house volunteers working in the area. Needs include:
- Assistance with debris removal and a variety of improvements in response to the damage.
- The school’s telephone number is 228.872.3343.
St. Mark’s Preschool, Gulfport, MS
The church and preschool were completely destroyed. Elaine Dukes, Director, reports that the 30 year-old preschool is seeking a structure/building to place on the church’s new site so it can reopen. Needs include:
- Cash gifts for the re-establishment of the church and school.
- Ms. Dukes can be reached at her home telephone number, 228.896.6984, or cell phone, 228.697.8836.
- The best address for the preschool is Ms. Dukes’ home address, 9022 Victoria Circle, Gulfport, MS 39503.
St. Martin’s Episcopal School,
Metairie, LA
Christian J. Proctor, Ph.D., Headmaster, reports that parents are struggling to make ends meet. Needs include:
- Cash gifts for the continuation of school operations and student/family aid.
- The school’s telephone number is 504.733.0353.
- The school’s web site is http://www.stmsaints.com/site.php.
Trinity Episcopal School,
New Orleans, LA
The Rev. Michael Kuhn, D.Min., Headmaster, reports that the school has experienced a 25% reduction in enrollment and the concurrent loss of tuition, increased need for financial aid, to say nothing of the losses experienced by faculty, staff and families. Needs include:
- Cash gifts that can be used on a flexible basis while helping support local businesses and merchants.
- The school’s telephone number is 504.670.2460.
- The school’s web site is http://www.trinityno.com/.
Thank you for your partnerships of support and assistance.