October Waves of Relief
High School Trip Successful;
2nd Wave At Work;
Fundraising Kicks Off
Oct. 16 – Eighteen Wayland high school students visited Waveland, Mississippi over the Columbus Day weekend to help repair and rebuild the small city that was ‘ground zero’ for Hurricane Katrina. The weekend included painting, tree cutting, as well as gutting homes affected by the 24-foot storm surge created by Katrina. Waveland’s residents were overwhelmed with the energy and enthusiasm of the high school students, and very much appreciated their hard work.
The students, accompanied by nine adults including two Wayland selectmen and two Wayland police officers, were in Wayland’s sister city for four days during the long weekend. The trip was organizaed by the Wayland to Waveland Hurricane Relief Steering Committee which was formed in the fall of 2005 to assist those affected by Katrina. The committee has dedicated itself to a long-term effort to assist Waveland, Mississippi.
On Sunday October 8th, Waveland Mayor Tommy Longo greeted the group and expressed appreciation for their weekend work, as well as the Town of Wayland’s continued support both financially and materially.
The Mayor also expressed enthusiasm for the second wave of Wayland’s citizens who arrived days after the students returned home. This group is led by Wayland builder Peter Bachman, who with 29 other adults, will be building one home in Waveland and re-building two others from October 13 to October 23. Much of Waveland has been “cleaned up” in the past 12 months. Their greatest need at this time appears to be carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and other skilled labor to rebuild homes and repair homes.
Also around the Columbus Day weekend, the Wayland to Waveland Committees sent a letter to Wayland residents inviting them to contribute financially to this effort. Already more than $10,000 has been contributed toward the initial goal of $120,000.
Monies raised will be used to buy materials for those most in need in Waveland. Since so many in Waveland did not have flood insurance at the time of the storm, they do not have the means to complete repairs. All contributions are completely tax deductible and can be mailed to the Wayland to Waveland Hurricane Relief Fund c/o the Treasurer’s office at the Wayland Town Building, 41 Cochituate Road.
Wayland high schools students don masks while cleaning out a Waveland, MS home of debris… more than 12 months after Hurricane Katrina forced a 24-ft. high surge of water through the small coastal city.
Wayland students pose with Waveland, MS Mayor Tom Longo outside the city’s Civic Center that was left in shambles by Hurricane Katrina. The 18 Wayland High School students traveled with 9 adults in the first “Wave” of October Relief from Wayland, MA to sister city Waveland.
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Waveland Mayor Tom Longo receives Wayland "gear" from Wayland Selectman Michael Tichnor
Waveland Mayor Tom Longo talks with the first Wave of October Relief from Wayland, MA... a group of 18 students and 9 adults who spent Columbus Day Weekend helping rebuild.
The nine Wayland adults who travelled with the high school students to Waveland, MS.
Wayland, MA high school students and parents helped clean up in Waveland, MS.