Connecticut Volunteers Face New Orleans Heat,
Rebuild Home in New Orleans East

We have witnessed many gracious acts of compassion in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  Many volunteers have left their comfort zones with the sole purpose of helping others, and this summer was no exception.  Despite having to face the sweltering New Orleans heat, a volunteer group from Waterbury, Connecticut – the John F. Kennedy Company – donated their time and efforts to rebuild a home in New Orleans East in June.

Liz Dasilva and her family saw the need to come help out in New Orleans after seeing the damages the city suffered.  She and her sister put together a group of volunteers made up of mostly high school kids, including her own son, and family friends.  They named themselves the John F. Kennedy Company after the high school in Waterbury where the teens attend school.  The group’s motto is “What can you do for your country?”

Dasilva went through her church, United Methodist, in order to find volunteer opportunities in the New Orleans Area.  Additionally, the group received help from a local Connecticut jewelry store, Creative Jewelers, who donated a portion of their sales to the group in order to cover travel expenses and work tool costs.  The group was in New Orleans for one week gutting and cleaning up a house in N.O. East.

They also donated a check of over $2,000 to United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area and its hurricane recovery efforts.  The group hopes to return to New Orleans again next year and continue helping in the rebuilding process.

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