Local Volunteers Are Needed For EDOH Rebuilding Project

Eight Days of Hope, a nonprofit, faith-based organization committed to rebuilding homes affected by natural disasters is partnering with St. John United Way and the St. John Parish Long-Term Recovery Group to lead a major rebuilding effort of over 100 homes affected by Hurricane Isaac in St. John Parish from March 9 to March 16, 2013.

Hundreds of skilled volunteers from across the nation are expected to descend on the parish to provide the rebuilding assistance. Homes will be selected following case management conducted by various volunteer agencies.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the “Eight Days of Hope” mission in March can register now until February 24 at www.eightdaysofhope.com or by contacting the St. John Volunteer Reception Center at 985-359-1024, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Local volunteers are needed to help rebuild homes, including installing insulation and flooring, hanging sheetrock, painting and performing electrical work. Volunteers are also needed to assess properties, contact homeowners, enter data and serve meals.

“Eight Days of Hope’s goal is to bring hope to those who are still waiting and to help them rebuild their homes,” said EDOH President, Stephen Tybor, III.

Since 2005, over 11,200 Eight Days of Hope volunteers have helped to rebuild, remodel or refurbish 1,254 homes in Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Iowa, Alabama and North Carolina on nine different relief trips. To date, more than fourteen million dollars of work has been completed by the organization.

St. John United Way has committed $35,000 to this project through its NO Place Like Home Program. NO Place Like Home was developed following Hurricane Isaac to create partnerships between individuals, investors and rebuilding groups to help residents return to safe, secure and functional homes. This donation is made possible thanks to generous contributions from individuals and businesses such as Marathon Petroleum, Motiva Enterprises and IBERIABANK.

Eight Days of Hope is also partnering with the SJBP LTRG, which has committed $15,000 to the project. Additionally, the SJBP LTRG is working with Eight Days of Hope to coordinate the necessary preparation needed for their arrival.

Please help welcome them to St. John. “Eight Days of Hope” is an all-volunteer organization located in Tupelo, Mississippi. For more information on “Eight Days of Hope” visit www.eightdaysofhope.com.