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BOARD BY BOARD
WHAN LOOEN - THE VICKSBURG POST
Redwood Elementary students personalize their donations with notes to the resi- Oldenburg, first-grader Brett Oldenburg, fourth-graders Mason Jarabica, Nathanial dents of Pearlington. The students are, clockwise from bottom left: sixth-grader Kade Smart, Will Everett, sixth-grader Jennie Newcomb and first-grader Michaela Mobley.
Locals reaching out to help Pearlington
By Constance Anderson-White
cawhite@vicksburgpost.com
Pearlington’s prayers are being answered by the students, teachers and parents of Redwood Kle mentary.
Judy Williams, character education teacher at Redwood, said she was inspired by a video created by Miss Mississippi Kristian Dambrino and titled “Pearlington’s Prayers.”
In turn, the Redwood community has raised more than $4,800 for Pearlington to help residents rebuild their lives after their town and others across the Gulf Coast were devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
The Aug. 29 storm left 16 people dead and virtually every home and business
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TO DONATE
To donate to the Pearlington Project, contact Judy Williams at 601-638-6808.
TO VOLUNTEER
To volunteer call First Baptist Church at 601-636-8941.
destroyed or badly damaged in Pearlington. The 2,200 residents were overwhelmed by the destruction and, without an emergency management coordinator, finding the “calm after the storm” seemed impossible.
Dambrino visited and worked as a volunteer and was inspired to write the song about the small town, not often mentioned in national coverage.
Some Pearlington residents are still living in tents, while others are quartered in 12-by-30-foot Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers. Businesses and stores have not reopened.
Williams viewed the “Pearlington’s Prayers” video in February at First Baptist Church on Cherry Street and immediately began her own Pearlington Project.
“I spoke with David and Patty Baldwin, who are living in Pearlington while directing rebuilding efforts in that community, to find out what they needed,” Williams said. “David said that people were ready to rebuild but did not have the supplies; they really needed precut lumber.”
She made calls to area See Redwood, Page A6.
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THEIR OWN WORDS
Excerpts from students to Hurricane Katrina victims in Pearlington:
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"Remember the Lord Jesus is with you in these hard times! I'm praying.”
—	Kade Oldenburg Age 12, sixth grade
"Good luck building your house."
—	Mason Jarabica Age 10, fourth grade
"I know you can do it, you will make it We will pray for you, you are doing a great job. You are my friend."
— Nathan Smart Age 9, fourth grade
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"God works in mysterious ways. Katrina could have been a blessing and a curse. A second chance for some, but a loss to all. Stand tall, stand fearless. She set us back, now move forward.
— Will Everett Age 11, sixth grade
"I'm sorry for all your misfortune."
— Jenny Newcomb Age 11, sixth grade
"You'll love your new house. I would like to see it.”
— Michaela Mobley Age 6, first grade
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