PDK International | PDK Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

PDK and the Katrina Relief Effort
by Jo Ann Fujioka, PDK International President

Editor's note: In late February International President Jo Ann Fujioka traveled to present Katrina relief checks worth $4,000 each to two schools in the hurricane-affected U.S. coastal region. One recipient was Ocean Springs High School in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The other was Schneckenburger Elementary School in Kenner, Louisiana (west New Orleans). Jo Ann was accompanied by Region G Representative Christian Cherau.

As we drove into Ocean Springs from the Gulfport/Biloxi airport, the evidence of wind and flood damage was obvious. Roads had been cleared, and the larger trees that had toppled had been removed. But in wooded areas there were still, six months later, many smaller downed trees. Some of the large highway signs had been blown over and were not yet replaced. Still, most of the stores and businesses that were not destroyed have reopened.

Above: Damage in the Ocean Springs, Mississippi area.

In Ocean Springs, the high school opened right after the hurricane passed and served as a shelter for hundreds of citizens. School district personnel acted as managers, bringing in cots and sleeping bags, cooking and serving the food that was at the school, and taking care of the sick and injured. The school is set on the flood plain, though in an elevated location. But it could not be designated as an official Red Cross site. Therefore, Red Cross personnel assisted for a few days but then had to leave. Nonetheless, because the hospital could handle only emergencies and had nowhere to send non-emergency patients, they sent them to the school.

Many school staff members, including the principal, were personally affected by significant damage to their homes. In some cases, homes were completely destroyed or were too badly damaged to live in. Ocean Springs Principal Robert Hirsch had to bale five feet of water from his home and had to restore his home himself as there was no one else to do the work. He had just moved back into his home the week before our visit — six months after the storm.

Principal Hirsch took us on a tour of the area. We were appalled to see the utter devastation. There are a few FEMA trailers, but most people have had to buy trailers to live in. One area, hit by a 30-foot wall of water, was virtually leveled. Only live oak trees are still standing, bizarrely decorated with plastic bags, clothing, and household items tossed up by the storm. The devastating strength of the water also can be seen at the Mississippi end of the Mississippi-New Orleans bridge. Large sections of the bridge were pushed 15 feet by the water, and it likely will be a very long time before repairs can be made. Meanwhile, drivers must travel long distances to use other bridges.

At Ocean Springs High School 1,600 of the 1,800 students attending before the hurricane have returned. Most had stayed temporarily with friends and relatives elsewhere. The only real damage to the school itself was in the performing arts/auditorium building.

Left: PDK President Fujioka presents relief check for $4,000 to Ocean Springs High School students.

Right: President Fujioka talks with Ocean Springs High School students affected by the hurricane.

We continued to see devastation as we drove to Louisiana on our way to Schneckenburger Elementary School in Kenner, in west New Orleans. I saw a roof that had “HELP” written on it in large letters. Abandoned cars stand in the highway underpasses. Many areas look like war zones. At the same time, in some areas recovery is proceeding. Work has been done to restore the New Orleans French Quarter. Many of the old buildings have been painted and look better than they did before the storm. But there are still huge piles of debris in places. At the Super Dome, there is a large sign welcoming home the Saints football team. Team spirit survives.

Schneckenburger Elementary School did not sustain significant physical damage, and so was able to reopen its doors to students the first week in October. New students to the school include children from an Arab private school that had been destroyed and Spanish-speaking students, the children of Mexican laborers who have been brought into the New Orleans area to help with reconstruction.

Left: Schneckenburger Elementary students welcome PDK President Fujioka.

Right: Schneckenburger Elementary students present “Thank You” banner to President Fujioka.

Our arrival was greeted with an all-out celebration. Students and staff gathered in the school gymnasium/auditorium, along with parents, school board members, and Mayor Phil Capitano. After presenting us with Mardi Gras beads, the program began with a parade of students carrying the Mardi Gras box floats that the children had made. The making of these floats is a traditional activity that has gone on for scores of years. Interspersed among the students carrying floats were students in Mardi Gras colors carrying bright pink and yellow parasols.

Schneckenburger Principal Diane Lonadier was the program emcee, and representatives from each class presented us with tokens of appreciation. I was particularly impressed with a poster presented to me by ESL youngsters; the poster said “Thank you” in various languages. The kindergartners presented an exceptional slide show, which they then gave to me on a CD. A Mardi Gras-themed reception in a handsomely decorated media center followed all of this.

Left: PDK President Fujioka presents relief check for $4,000 to Schneckenburger Elementary School representatives.

Right: Schneckenburger students greet President Fujioka's arrival with a parade.

I had many opportunities to talk with teachers, administrators, and school board members, both in Mississippi and in Louisiana. I heard many stories of lost homes. But I also heard how people rallied to help one another and how they are supporting each other, day by day, as they work together to rebuild their communities and their lives.

Of all of the experiences in my presidency thus far, I believe that representing the many PDK and FEA chapters who raised the $8,000 that we presented to these schools has been the most gratifying. Kappans have made a difference in the lives of the students at Ocean Springs High School in Mississippi and Schneckenburger Elementary School in Louisiana.