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after Hurricane Katrina devastated the region, Laurie Spaschak, along with several volunteers, has worked tirelessly to assist in recovery efforts.
As manager of the Pearlington Recovery Center and volunteer coordinator, a position she has held since January, Spaschak teams-up with numerous organizations in the area and across the country to aid the community in day-to-day necessities, like food and water, social activities to boost spirits and long-term efforts to rebuild homes and the economy.
"Through	the
Pearlington Recovery Center we're trying to make sure all of the organizations working and helping in the area are on the same page," she said. "There is a great need here, and it's critical that we work as one."
Spaschak's days are often a mix of joy and frustration, but her commitment to the people and her admiration of their resilience is unwavering.
"People living here are holding up extremely well considering what they've been through during the last nine months," she said. "They're good people, some of the most friendly, warm-hearted I've
Center's entrance reads "Pearl-Mart," and the office where Spaschak and her team work is a gathering place for locals. They come to collect supplies, share conversation and receive a dose of hope.
"We try to provide food, water, a place to take a hot shower, information and assistance in a variety of areas of concern, like hurricane preparedness, insurance issues, medical issues, housing issues, a number of things. Spaschak said. "We try to help in any way we can."
Spaschak said the Mobile (Ala.) Food Bank, the Salvation Army and churches from across the nation have provided the bulk of the donations helping Pearlington.
"The faith-based groups have been an enormous help," she said. "We have received donations from all over the country and many, many volunteers have come here to help us get the community back on its feet."
But the road to recovery in Pearlington, like most of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, is a long one.
"It's probably going to take 10 years, but it can be done," said Bob Putnam, director of the Gulf Coast region's Can-Do organization. "I want
recovery efforts in devastated areas around the globe. He said with corporate donations and volunteer labor much can be done.
"We need about $1.5 million to build 157 homes here," he said. "That's about $20,000 a home, but we can do it. The families here, some with five or six people, are 11 v i	twifc w? ■
They neeaa home."
A recent survey indicated approximately 780 people are currently li\-mg in Pearlington. Spaschak said about 128 children call Pearlington home. The community's population prior to Katrina was approximately 1.600.
"We need to build the economy here from the inside," Putnam said. "This has always been a bedroom community for people who work in the Bay area, Slidell and Gulfport. There's never been much of an economy. If we can create an economic base here, the community will be much better off."
Putnam said the people volunteering in Pearlington's recovery effort are trying to "do little things in a big way" in helping the community-
Spaschak said a public forum for Pearlington residents will be held June 6 at 6 p.m. at the
DBPA meets Thursday
Diamondhead Business	and
Professionals Association’s next membership meeting will be held May 25, 2006 at 8 AM at JACKIE O’S new location in the Diamondhead Shopping Center.
Guest Speaker this month is Bruce Frallic, Director of the Gulfport/Biloxi Airport
Mr. Frallic will update DBPA members on the continuing effort of the
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ideas, she said.
More information about Pearlington recovery efforts and community needs can be found at http://www.pearlington.b logspot.com/ or call the Pearlington Recovery Center at 228-533-0101.
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